Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/799779
14 FEDA News & Views here for the rest of your life." N&V: Tell me about Restaurant Equipment World (REW) and how you fi rst learned about the company? Personally, I didn't know this industry existed before FEDA pulled my resume from Northwestern's career services offi ce. McDevitt: Same here. I fi rst heard about REW through a Craig's list ad. I had just moved down to Florida and was looking for a warehouse supervis- ing position. The ad was posted for ship- ping and receiving for the ecommerce department. I really didn't think much about the equipment side of it until after I was in the company. conferences and the NRAs, it was very apparent that the industry, as a whole, was a bit long in the tooth. N&V: No, there are not a lot of 40-and- unders. McAuliffe: Although, I do think the dealer community is doing a good job in trying to recruit more young talent. N&V: That's encouraging. Prior to join- ing Hatco, had you ever thought about the industry as a viable option for employment? McAuliffe: Like many people, I worked in restaurants throughout high school and college and never once did I think about how that piece of equip- ment got there, or that it had to be manu- factured and then sold, and serviced. I didn't know anything about the industry or Hatco until an old college friend, who worked for Hatco, mentioned that they manufactured a certain piece of equipment. At the time, I was work- ing for a restaurant, and sure enough, the restaurant had a Hatco strip heat- er. That was my introduction to the industry. N&V: Did you learn about the DSR opening from your friend? McAuliffe: Yes, and I was really excited to apply. He told me they were a good company, and having worked in several restaurants, I thought it would be a good fi t. N&V: At the time, what were you looking for in an employer? McAuliffe: I was looking for a career. I wanted a place where I could settle in and grow. Finding a job that I enjoyed was also impor- tant. I wanted the opportunity to be empowered. I don't like the idea of being micromanaged. And lastly, I wanted to work for a company that did the right thing. Hatco has a reputation for taking care of its customers and that's one thing I've always respected. N&V: Speaking of doing the right thing, Hatco takes great pride in being an employee-owned company. What's it like to have a stake in the company? McAuliffe: I've never had anyone tell me something was not in their job description. Everyone is always willing to go the extra mile because we're all part owners. The better the company does, the better we all do in the long run. It's a great feeling. N&V: What has surprised you about this industry? McAuliffe: It feels small for how large it actually is. The one thing I constantly hear when I tell people I'm new to the industry is, "Welcome, you're going to be thing, Hatco takes great pride in being here for the rest of your life." didn't know anything about the industry or Hatco until an old college friend, who worked for Hatco, mentioned that they manufactured a certain piece of equipment. At the time, I was work- ing for a restaurant, and sure enough, the restaurant had a Hatco strip heat- er. That was my introduction to the Did you learn about the DSR opening from your friend? Yes, and I was really excited to apply. He told me they were a good company, and having worked in several restaurants, I thought it would be a good fi t. At the time, what were you looking for in an employer? I was looking for a career. I wanted a place where I could settle in and grow. Finding a job that I enjoyed was also impor- tant. I wanted the opportunity to be empowered. I don't like the idea of being micromanaged. And lastly, I wanted to work for a company that did the right thing. Hatco has a reputation for taking care of its customers and Tell me about Restaurant Equipment World (REW) and how you fi rst learned about the company? that's one thing I've always respected. Speaking of doing the right wanted to work for a company that did the right thing. Hatco has a reputation for taking care of its customers and Speaking of doing the right thing, Hatco takes great pride in being Why They • Stability and Long-term Growth • Management that Trusts & Empowers • A Company with a Conscious • A Job that I Love • A Fun Workplace "I wanted to work for a company that did the right thing. Hatco has a reputa- tion for taking care of its customers and that's one thing I've always respect- ed." --Joe McAuliffe McDEVITT Account Executive, Restaurant Equipment World (Five Years In) DAN McDEVITT • Stability and Long-term 5 M U ST HA VE S . . .