Limitless Opportunities

Your author (KF) speaks to Eric Danner (ED) about his entry into the elevator industry.

Shortly after graduating college in May, Eric Danner started work at Shakopee, Minnesota-based KEB America, Inc. He has wasted no time in getting acclimated to the industry and his role within the company. Your author got in touch with him shortly after he returned from the National Elevator Contractors Association (NAEC) Convention and Exposition in Reno, Nevada. Our conversation covered his journey so far and highlighted several reasons why a career in vertical transportation can be attractive to young professionals.

KF: Please tell me about yourself.

ED: My name is Eric Danner, and I am an elevator applications engineer at KEB America. I am a recent graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and am just beginning my career in the elevator industry.

KF: Could you tell me about your decision to study at St. Thomas?

ED: I wanted to stay close to home, because I love the outdoors, and St. Thomas has excellent access to both the outdoors and nearby cities for a career. St. Thomas also has a strong and growing engineering program. When entering college, I did not know whether I wanted to be a mechanical engineer or get a business degree. I later decided to focus on mechanical engineering due to my love for working with my hands and previous experience doing plumbing.

KF: Did you have a particular industry in mind for your first role after graduation?

ED: I grew up watching and working with my father in his local plumbing company, so I always knew I wanted to work with the trades in some fashion. I enjoy the camaraderie and humor of the trades, as well as the family-like working environment that exists within it. I also knew I wanted to talk to people daily and travel.

KF: What factored into your choice to apply for and accept your position at KEB America?

ED: The position intrigued me as it combined both mechanical and electrical engineering into one role. I believe this will challenge me and allow me to become a better engineer and more well-rounded person. I enjoyed the idea of traveling and working with new people every day. Elevators intrigued me, as the travel associated with them typically involves large cities such as New York, Toronto and Los Angeles.

KF: Could you tell me what an average workday is like in your role?

ED: My daily duties include communication with OEMs and end users of our products, providing them with support during the installation process or continued support after the installation. I often take calls or correspond via email with mechanics in the field to attempt to mitigate their issues — whether they be ride quality concerns or simple installation questions. I am also involved with the R&D of KEB’s new elevator drive, the F6.

KF: When you’re not working, what are some of your hobbies and interests?

ED: Outside of work, I enjoy fishing and snowmobiling at my cabin in Wisconsin. I also enjoy playing hockey in a men’s league.

KF: Has anything surprised you about the industry or your role so far?

ED: One thing that has surprised me about the industry is that everyone knows everyone. It is a very large industry, but it is very personable and tight knit.

KF: How was your experience attending NAEC? What have been some of your initial impressions of the industry and the people working in it?

ED: It was an excellent experience! It was great to finally meet many of the people I have been working with for the past few months. It was also very fun to spend time with everyone outside of work hours and see more of their personalities, as well as network and build relationships. NAEC was also an excellent opportunity to view all the available elevator components in today’s market and see how they interact with each other.

KF: Do you have any advice or thoughts you would share with a recent engineering graduate who is considering a role in the elevator industry?

ED: I would simply tell them to do it! The industry is an excellent mix of white- and blue-collar work. The business can be very lucrative and has limitless growth opportunities. For engineers, it combines both electrical and mechanical engineering. This is a unique challenge that can be very rewarding.

KF: Do you have any mentors? 

ED: I would not have been able to learn about our drives or the elevator industry without the help of my awesome team, including Tyler Pecha, Tony Pham, Sher Xiong and Brian Holtzkamp. I want to thank them for their patience and excellent leadership. They have been an excellent resource for me, and I am very grateful for them.

KF: As you continue your career journey, what are your hopes or goals for the future?

ED: I want to continue to grow and create new relationships in the elevator industry.