Meet the Team: Spotlight on Wilkinson’s Installation Department

Welcome to our new interview series where we introduce you to the amazing teams that make our company thrive! In this edition, we’re shining a spotlight on the Installation Department. Get to know the people behind the scenes, learn about their roles and discover what makes their department unique.

Mike Snee, Installation Manager; Bobby Wilkins, Installer, Foreman; Déjah Jury, Administrative Assistant

Get to know the Installation Department Manager, Mike Snee

Can you introduce yourself and describe your role in the department? I am the Installation Project Manager. I am responsible for getting the installation projects completed, start to finish.

How long have you been with the company? I’ve been with The Wilkinson Companies for 23 years.

What attracted you to work in this field? I had friends that worked here. They liked their job and inspired me to look into a career here.

Top Row: Erik B., Installer; Dave R., Installer; John B., Installer; Jared H., Installer; Tom K., Installer; Phil B., Installer; Patrick I., Rack Truck Driver; Bottom Row: Shane M., Electrician; Nonda Z., Installer; Derek L., Installer; Nick LaLond, Rack Truck Driver; David R., Installer; Mike L., Electrician; Jack C., Installer

Department Details

What are the main responsibilities of your department? I pick up on the projects after they are sold and do the following:

• Schedule all aspects of the jobs including subcontractors, labor, deliveries and inspections.
• We design-build most of our jobs, and I help with the overall design when needed. The installers fine tune the plan and get the equipment installed.
• Keep jobs on budget.

Can you describe a typical day in your department? There is no such thing as a typical day.  Each day is an adventure with its own issues that need addressing.  We have a strong team that helps make it manageable

What projects or tasks is your department currently focused on? We do between 40 and 70 projects a year, and we have 15 in one phase or another right now, including many local schools and hospitals. We just completed a great project at Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, MA, which involved many of our technicians and the customer is happy with the result. (*This project will be featured in our next Pipeline newsletter - Fall 2024.)

How does your department contribute to the overall success of the company? We strive to complete jobs on time, on budget and keep the customers happy. The value our projects offer comes from being design-built, using the best equipment and going the extra mile.  This keeps customers coming back and helps upkeep a good reputation in the mechanical world!

What are some challenges your department faces, and how do you overcome them?

• Ensuring the seamless progression of jobs is a significant challenge.
• Equipment deliveries are not always on time, so keeping to the schedules can be tough.
• Adapting new technologies to older buildings can be challenging.

We use all of the tools we have at hand to overcome our issues. Having a strong team top to bottom helps greatly.

Personal Insight from Installer, Dave R.:

What do you enjoy most about your job? I like the people that I work with and the people that I see in the field. This job truly suits my personality, and I like that I'm required to do a variety of tasks. It might be rigging one day or welding the next. It's also the variety of locations that we go to. Schools, hospitals, factories, mills, pharmaceutical facilities and more. We even work on ships. You never know where your next job is going to be. The jobs can be logistically challenging but at the end of the day we have completed a task. The skills that I've been taught on the job and the tools that we use allow us to do a large variety of jobs. I find that satisfying.  

Can you share a memorable experience or achievement during your time here? Something memorable was being on the roof at Charles River Park at night and seeing all the lights and looking at the city. I can vividly picture it in my mind, it was an impressive moment.

What skills or qualities are essential for success in your department? Ambition is the most important! It keeps you going through the day. Sometimes it's hard to find, but other times it comes to me easily.

How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role? I’m motivated by time, it's my top priority, so I worry about how long things take and how long I think they should take. Also, I really like what I do and I’m not afraid of hard work. I’m a morning person so getting going in the morning doesn’t bother me. Every job is unique and has its own problems that need to be solved. I enjoy the people I work with, and you never know where your next project will be.