As promised, our Employee Spotlight series puts the focus on the people behind the work at ATMI Precast. This month, we’re excited to introduce Steve Granato.
Getting to Know Steve
What’s your current role at ATMI Precast?
I am a “Senior Project Coordinator” which involves coordinating with the internal team. Modeler (who is responsible for creating the shop drawings), Design Engineer (who is responsible for connection and panel design) and the Piece Part Drafter (who is responsible for creating the drawings used for panel production). I guide the team through the approval and production process; all the while working with the external team (GC, AOR, EOR). I am also responsible for coordinating with the production and erection teams (as well as performing QC along the way).
I have been a good resource for Production to call with issues early in the morning or when a job’s Project Coordinator is unavailable.
Periodically, I have been tasked with training Modelers, Piece Part Drafters, and future Project Coordinators.
How long have you been with ATMI Precast?
I’ve been here with ATMI Precast for 10 years.
What is one project you’re especially proud to have worked on? Why?
There are two projects I am proud to have worked on: V-Tec and Orchestra Hall.
V-Tech was a project that was never built, but several precast panels were produced. Vertical and horizontal panels were shaped like canoes. The process of figuring out how to present this information to the Mold Maker was very challenging and rewarding.
During extensive renovations of the Orchestra Hall, existing terra-cotta cornices at parapet needed to be removed and reinstalled by embedding into precast and hung from reconstructed facade. The collaboration required between GC, AOR, EOR, Precaster, and Erector was quite the learning experience.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from working at ATMI?
Listen to, learn from, collaborate with, and trust ALL the “teams” at ATMI (Engineering, Production, Erection, Project Management, etc…)
Who has influenced or mentored you in your career?
I have been doing this for nearly 50 years and have many mentors. The top three are as follows:
Fred Hakimian- Architect
I worked for Fred for 25 years, learning how to detail precast and communicate to architects, engineers, production and erection crews through well-prepared shop drawings.
Erhard Garni- owner of Advanced Cast Stone.
I was fortunate to have prepared erection and production drawings for this experienced Precaster. He was always willing to share his knowledge.
Tom Blazek- VP of Engineering, Gate Precast-Monvoeville
Extremely good Precast Engineer, well versed in production and erection concerns. He placed a good deal of trust in me and I gained much confidence as a result.
How would you describe the culture of ATMI Precast to someone new?
The culture at ATMI Precast is definitely one of teamwork. Most every person in every department is willing to extend their knowledge and experience in the advancement of a successful project/coworker!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Exercise, cooking, and reading. My first grandchild will be born in April, and I plan for her to replace one of the above!
What’s one word your teammates would use to describe you?
Resource.
What’s your favorite saying, quote, or piece of advice you live by?
“Speed kills.”
Tell us about a time where ATMI delivered on “As Promised”.
Quite honestly, every project that I have worked on in my 10 years at ATMI, “As Promised” was ATMI’s mantra long before it became their slogan.
As promised, our Employee Spotlight series puts the focus on the people behind the work at ATMI Precast. This month, we’re excited to introduce Abbie Armbruster.
Getting to Know Abbie
What’s your current role at ATMI Precast?
My current role is Business and Employee Development.
How long have you been with ATMI Precast?
I’ve been here for a little over five years, officially.
How did you get started in the precast industry?
I was born into the industry. My dad started ATMI Precast so I have been around precast since I can remember.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in precast?
I would say that 99% of people who join our team do not come into the industry with precast experience. So do not let that intimidate you from getting into the industry or joining the ATMI Precast team because there is no precast school out there. Everything is just hands-on. So as long as you’re someone who is open to learning and open to new ideas, you will be successful.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from working at ATMI?
Precast moves so quickly. So, I think the main thing that I have learned is you cannot over-communicate between the different departments, especially because there’s so much going on. We’re all kind of in our own worlds in each of our departments, but if you learn something and another department isn’t aware, that could affect so many other things down the road. So over-communicating is one of the key things I have learned in my time here.
What’s one word your teammates would use to describe you?
Positive. Because it’s such a fast-paced environment that we’re working in and your stress levels can be high with a never ending to do list, I try to always have a smile on my face when I’m greeting my colleagues and just stay positive to help keep others positive around me.
What’s your idea of a perfect Saturday?
A perfect Saturday is waking up at my house, having a leisurely start to my day, maybe a trip to Costco with my daughter, and probably watching some sporting event on TV and hanging out and relaxing with my family.
Do you have any secret talents or hobbies?
I really enjoy reading outside of work. I enjoy reading historical fiction with a little bit of real history but has that story element incorporated into it. I’m currently reading The Briar Club by Kate Quinn. It’s a standalone book that features a murder mystery. I’m very curious to find out what the historical piece of the story is that’s true. I’m really enjoying it and don’t want to put it down.