MEET BRIAN BORTNER
Perhaps the “original next generation guy,” during the past seven years, Brian Bortner has worked hard to learn a lot and build himself into an integral part of Schad’s team. During this time, Brian has served as Schad’s Logistics Manager, which means he is responsible for making sure that the people, material, and equipment required to complete Schad’s projects arrive in the right place at the right time. In the world of industrial contracting, this is a critical role. Adding to the challenge is that he is pulled in several directions by Schad’s team of project managers and needs to work with the group to manage priorities and ensure that Schad delivers the same level of service to each customer regardless of how the resources may be stretched.
Brian is a team guy and is committed to bettering himself through bettering the team. His job requires him to manage several internal and external personalities. He brings a positive attitude to a challenging position each day and has built many strong internal and external relationships throughout the refractory industry as a result. For these reasons, it is Schad’s pleasure to present Brian Bortner as this months featured “Next Generation Manager.”
1. How long have you worked with Schad?
Full time, I have been here a little over 7 years. Part-time, on and off since 2004. I spent a few summers in college working in the fab shop and in the field.
2. How did you get started in the refractory industry?
My family had some Schad connections and I was given an opportunity to make some living expense money to help pay for my college education.
3. What is the biggest or most challenging project you have managed?
There are a few that come to mind. We had projects in Wisconsin and Indiana in the past few years where it required many wide load items being moved to/from our Detroit location and had to work through logistic challenges such as wide load permits, third party carriers, and the plants to ensure all items made their way to the destinations safely and in a timely matter. Any time you have that many moving pieces, it is stressful.
4. What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy working with our satellite offices throughout the country and building relationships with new people who have joined our team. It is fun to watch the company grow the way it has from when I started full time back in 2011.
5. What is your fondest memory of working at Schad?
I really enjoyed working in the pre-cast and fabrication shop back in 2004-2006. I learned a lot from those guys back there and really had a good time with Jimmy, Rich, Kirk, and the rest of the guys.
6. What are you currently working on?
I am currently trying to get our Detroit yard ready for the warm weather months. We are doing some spring cleaning/organizing and repairs to get our grounds back into proper shape.
7. What are your biggest professional challenges?
Quick answer would have to be “trucks”. They constantly need to be maintained and fixed. They are an important part of our business but pose many challenges. DOT safety is very important to us, we back that up by providing safe trucks for our full-time drivers to drive.
8. What is your motto or personal mantra?
There are two ways to establish competitive advantage; do things better than others or do them differently.
9. When you’re not at Schad what you most likely doing?
I like to stay in shape, typically hitting the gym or playing golf in my spare time. In the summers, I like to hit concerts. In the fall, college and NFL football are usually on my TV.
10. What in the next year are you most looking forward to?
Getting another stake truck, (maybe).