This month’s spotlight features APM Gas Division Manager, Matt McCrary! In 1996, Matt worked in the field for ADA until he transitioned into an office manager role, and next into a business agent role at the Local Union in 2000. Then, Matt started working for APM Corporate in October 2008. Matt grew up around the trade as a third generation Millwright. His grandfather was a charter member of Millwright Local 1192 in Birmingham, Alabama, and his father and all of his uncles on that side were Millwrights. One of his uncles was even a Superintendent for ADA and then APM! Outside of work, he is a proud parent to his sons Taylor and Reid and father-in-law to his daughter-in-laws Leah and, potentially, Shasta. We are so excited to spotlight Matt! Read more to get to know his top life highlights, interesting perspectives, and surprising fact.

What’s one thing that surprised you about working with APM?

We are challenged to think outside the box and then given the opportunity to utilize our ideas. We are constantly being challenged to look to the future to continuously improve. The job never becomes routine.

What is a typical workday for you?

I enjoy being engaged with my team and the field teams. When I’m in my home office, I’m checking on my team, checking on field teams, looking for ways to help our teams improve, and working with GE/FC to gain more job sites. I travel to sites a lot to help make sure our teams have everything they need to be successful and to help reinforce our safety culture.

What energizes you at work?

Hearing all my teams and the field team’s success stories. It feels good to see people excel to their highest potential.

What do you find the most challenging in your role?

Being on call 24/7. You never know when you are going to need to pack a bag and travel somewhere in a moment’s notice.

What do you like most about working with APM?

The people. Especially my team and the field teams. They become like a family to you. You feel proud when they are successful and have high achievements.

How has APM helped you in your career development?

I have been challenged more than I could imagine in my role. It’s helped me develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, time management, etc. Most of these are not something you could learn from a book, but they are learned from practical hands-on experiences. I couldn’t have obtained this experience anywhere else.

What courses, certifications, or programs did you complete?

I’ve taken numerous GE and APM training courses. I also have my Bachelor’s in Business Management, my Master of Business Administration, and my JD in Law.

What is your proudest moment with APM?

There are many. Being trusted to help lead the Gas Division to be the best it can be is a big one. The Gas Division Superintendents that have become Superintendents of the year, seeing my team drive our safety culture and achieve a lower safety record than ever before, and the amount of job sites we have added to our portfolio because of my team and the field team’s hard work are all also sources of great pride.

Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?

My father. I worked under him at the Millwright Local Union as his office manager before becoming business agent when he retired. He always looked at every situation from everyone’s angle that was involved. He would find the common ground so everyone in the situation could win some and lose some, but everyone came out of the situation the same. I try to apply that logic to every situation we have so we all feel good about the end results.

How do you prefer to spend your days off?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids. I also enjoy going to sports and celebrity conventions. These conventions will have athletes and celebrities from when I was a kid, and you get to spend time meeting them. It’s something my wife and I started doing a few years back so we could meet the celebrities from our childhood, but it also gives us a reason to go out of town for the weekend and explore new places.

How do you balance your career at APM and family?

My job is a 24/7 job. It becomes challenging at times to balance and separate my job from my personal life. I try to find time on the weekend to step away from my phone, so I’m not tempted to read every email coming in. I also have an understanding wife that understands the nature and the needs of our business.

What advice do you have for prospective APM candidates?

The job is challenging but a good kind of challenging. You have people all around you who will support you if you need help. Be willing to ask for help. Offer your opinions and ideas because they are openly welcomed.

What is a non-work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of?

Receiving my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and JD degrees.

Matt's Perspective on Success:

My success depends on the success and achievements of the people around me. I can’t be successful if my team isn’t successful.

Matt's Favorite Quote:

You only fail when you stop trying.

Matt's Surprising Fact:

I enjoy a good romantic movie.

Matt's Perspective on Leadership:

A leader makes the effort to help their team to reach their full potential. They lead by example and help ensure success for their team. They don’t ask their team to do anything they aren’t willing to do.

Matt's Personal Motto:

If something is worth doing then it’s worth 100% effort.

Matt's Top Life Highlights:

Getting Married (November will be our 25-year anniversary)

Getting to be a dad to my 2 sons

Watching my oldest son graduate college, have a successful career, and get married. Now I get to do it all over again with my youngest son.