Get to know Mike Palker.
What is your position? My position at Wilkinson is Service Technician.
How long have you been with the company? I started at Wilkinson in the peak of heating season on January 6, 1997.
What do you like about working at Wilkinson? There are several things that I like about working at Wilkinson. There is such a large array of equipment out in the field. Technology is changing every day. This makes every service call unique in its own way. No two boilers rooms are alike, which keeps me from becoming complacent. I enjoy the satisfaction of completing a service call and telling the customer that everything is all set.
What’s been your most memorable experience at Wilkinson? I think my most memorable experience at Wilkinson was when my dispatcher told me a customer called in for service and requested me. The dispatcher told him I was busy on another service call. The customer replied, “I’ll wait for Mike!” It means a lot, building the confidence and friendship of several customers throughout the years.
What do you do in your free time? I’ve enjoyed spending time coaching my two boys in soccer, basketball and baseball. Most recently, in my spare time I am in the final stage of the complete restoration of my 1985 Monte Carlo SS. I purchased it the spring of 1992 as a sophomore at MMA.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in this field? If you want to work hard and enjoy a good challenge, this is a great career! Always start with the basics on every service call. Don’t overthink the situation. But most importantly, take pride in your own work!