Daniel Wayne is a Master Mechanic who has been with Sundt for 25 years. He’s the rare Arizona native who enjoys cold weather, which is good since he’s working on an Industrial project in northern New Mexico.
How did you get into construction?
After high school, I went to a tech school in Provo, Utah, and ended up working for Empire Machinery. That’s how I got into construction, working on equipment.
What has kept you at Sundt for 25 years?
The people I work with, and the company has been good to me. There’s a lot of teamwork. The company gives you all the components to succeed no matter what your field is.
What are the most enjoyable parts of the job?
Going from place to place. I’ve had a supervisor call on a Friday and ask if I wanted to meet new people. I would ask where he wanted me to go on Monday.
How much have you seen the industry change over the years?
We’re putting more of an emphasis on safety. We’re also seeing lots of younger people coming in over the past 10 years. I tell them to come to work on time, do good work and they’ll always have a job.
How many different locations have you worked?
Mostly Arizona and California. I spent the last six years in Texas.
What has been your favorite project to work on and why?
That’s hard to say. I’ve enjoyed all the jobs. I liked working at the Page (Arizona) Airport Apron. My family came up in the summer so my kids and wife were with me.
How important is the company’s employee-ownership culture?
It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed with the company so long. It’s good to know your family is taken care of when you retire.