Atigun Awards, Contractor of the Year: Chad Montgomery
Chad Montgomery is a master mechanic on TAPS whose work doesn’t stop in the shop. In fact, Chad leads a team that embodies Alyeska’s Take Action mindset, which means they can be found preparing and repairing equipment from treacherous stretches of the field to urban locations around Valdez and the Terminal. Led by Chad, the TAPS Southern Region Master Mechanic, they don’t hesitate when there’s a need, and they go above and beyond with solutions that keep people working and keep projects running.
Chad, who is employed by ASRC Energy Services/Houston Contracting Company, was recently named the Alyeska Atigun Awards President’s Choice Contractor of the Year, which he called a “surprise” but is an honor those who work with him know is well-deserved. They use the words “invaluable,” “proactive,” and “commitment,” among others, to describe him.
An Atigun nominator and recent project lead wrote, “Chad and his team did everything possible to help the … project civil department moving, while working at PLMP 763-769 (last) summer. As we all know, equipment breakdowns are a constant on the line. This year didn’t disappoint either. We had several issues for the three months we worked in that area. Every time (we) called the shop with an issue, Chad and his team would put us on top of their list and spring into action. … If it wasn’t for him, the project wouldn’t have been as successful and would have suffered drastically. I couldn’t even begin to put a price on how much time, and money Chad saved this project. … We had minimal delays due to the Valdez Equipment Shop. I personally cannot express how much I appreciated his help and how lucky the TAPS family is to have him.”
For Chad, he’s just doing the job he loves and provide services and skills needed as quickly and thoroughly as possible to support all the teams on TAPS. In this Atigun Awards Q&A, Chad talks about what being a master mechanic is all about, as well as his memories of working day and night following the big flood of 2006, and more.
How did you feel about receiving the Contractor of the Year honor? What does that title mean to you, especially on TAPS where there are so many talented contractors doing so many roles? And what was your response/feeling when you were informed about it?
It was a surprise when I got the call from (Alyeska) president (John Kurz) letting me know of the nomination and that I was selected. In fact, I asked him if he was sure he had the right person. I feel a little unworthy of such an honor with all the great talent on TAPS and everything everyone else does, and knowing that it is mostly my crew and the Fleet Department that gets the actual work done.
Tell us about your job as Master Mechanic and what is your favorite part of your work? And what does it take to reach that level? You must take a lot of pride in that.
My job as the Southern Region Master Mechanic is mainly to lead my crew here at VMT (Valdez Marine Terminal) and my two mechanics at GRB (Glennallen Response Base), manage work priorities coming through the shop, and help other groups out as much as we can to keep their work going.
I think my favorite part of my job is solving problems when I can, whether it’s coming up with a solution for equipment needs, helping my mechanics with a difficult diagnosis problem, or figuring out better, more efficient and safer ways to do something we do daily. I believe that always trying to get better every day, being accountable, and acting with discipline led to being promoted to the Master Mechanic role.
I take a lot of pride in our Fleet Department – I think we do a really good job of keeping jobs rolling and on schedule. We’re not necessarily the ones conducting the project work, but I believe we play a major and vital role in all work that gets done on TAPS.
Do you have a favorite day or most memorable time on TAPS?
I don’t really have a favorite time, but definitely the most memorable was the flooding we got in (the Valdez area) in 2006. I remember staying late at night to support the crews trying to keep the Allison Creek bridge from being washed out, then the weeks of work to fix all the damage done by the flooding from Valdez to 80 Mile. A lot of work went into repairing the damage and it was fun to work with a bunch of different crews to get the work done. I was just a shop mechanic at the time so I was out in the field a lot, which is my favorite type of work.
Is there anyone you’d like to recognize who has helped you along the way or supports your work?
I think I need to recognize our entire Fleet Department, from my crew here, especially my alternate Brian Leaf, to the support I receive from my manager Barry Lindquest, and HCC Director Greg Campbell – both of them help me out with whatever we need. Cory Carnes, the Fleet Maintenance Facility (in Fairbanks) Master Mechanic, he is a great counterpart that always is willing to help us out down here or forward on info on equipment issues they are having so we can look out for them on our equipment. John Schnering and Michaela Stephens are great with helping me out when equipment and vehicle needs that come up.
Really, I feel like I’m a small part of what it takes for the Fleet Department to run as well as it does and I just try my best to do my part to help us be successful in keeping work flowing safely.