This month’s spotlight features APM Tool Center Manager, Stephen Wall! Stephen started in this industry when he was 18 years old as a field service tech working with GE aero derivative gas turbines. His first exposure to APM was 12 years later in 2016 while working for Legacy Alstom as a field blade tech after the GE acquisition. He worked with APM bucket techs on cross training on Alstom equipment before joining APM himself later that year. Stephen's current role in APM is Tool Center Manager, but outside of work, he is a dad, husband, and Pit Master. We are so excited to spotlight Stephen! Read more to get to know his interesting perspectives on success and leadership, advice, and favorite quote.

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

The brotherhood/family mentality within APM and Specialty Services in particular. The strong culture within APM focused on safety and execution on the job site.

What is a typical workday for you?

Working directly with Ops division mangers on numerous campus and field based initiatives, interfacing with field teams regarding their site tooling needs, planning future tooling strategy with field core and greater GE, and managing the general work flow in the tool center.

What energizes you at work?

Working with my team to help them visualize how they are part of the larger picture and essential to a successfully completed outage. 900 kits shipped in 2022 equals 900 opportunities to either positively or negatively impact an APM job.

What do you find the most challenging in your role?

Every day is an exercise in multitasking. Sometimes, after business hours is the only chance you have to knock off you personal action items or to do list.

What do you like most about working with APM?

I take satisfaction working in an industry and for a company that keeps the lights on around the world.

How has APM helped you in your career development?

When my time came to leave the field, APM provided an opportunity to still contribute to the team that I was a member of as well as enact change and improvements to our business.

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

It would be hard to select someone other than my father as an example of how to approach a problem from a detail-oriented perspective.

How do you prefer to spend your days off?

I prefer to be outdoors with my kids fishing, camping, attending baseball games, hanging out by the pool, and barbeque.

How do you balance your career at APM and family?

I almost want to say its tougher achieving that balance than it was on the road. When you’re traveling you are 100 percent dedicated to that job. You get up, go to site then back to the hotel. And when your home, your off and 100 percent focused on family. On the corporate side I still have a role to play responding after hours and weekends for emergency jobs or broken equipment that a site may need to keep the job going and everyone working.

What advice do you have for prospective APM candidates?

Show up prepared and with an open mind.

Stephen's Perspective on Success:

A completed outage, a running unit humming in the distance, and food on the table for your family when you get home.

Stephen's Favorite Quote:

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

― Marcus Aurelius

Stephen's Perspective on Leadership:

Lead your team but also allow them space to take ownership over their tasks.