ALLYN WARD
mechanical maintenance engineer, Trane Company

Technical genius, teacher, peace-maker, team player.  These are a few of Allyn Ward’s unofficial titles at Trane’s Water Chiller Systems Unit in Pueblo, Colo.

The Maine native is an ace at maintaining the plant’s high-precision mills and grinders, standard mills and lathes, and general production equipment.  “Al’s the go-to guy,” says maintenance manager Jim Meyer.

But Ward shuns the chance to be a one-man band.  He shares his vast knowledge with new or less experienced workers.  “I explain why I do things a certain way,” he says.  “I provide examples of what has worked and what hasn’t.  I explain the reasons behind the actions.”

He also works tightly with production.  He listens to operators and makes their machines easier to operate and maintain.  And, he sits with line managers to schedule best times for performing planned maintenance.

Ward’s team attitude stems from working 11 years for Texaco Marine Services.  Stationed on a ship for two-month stretches, he says “you learned how to get along.”

This article appeared in the December 2000/January 2001 issue of MRO Today magazine.

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