When you apply for a job, you usually have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking for. You want a company you like, great coworkers, an opportunity to grow, a culture where you fit in and, most importantly, you want to love what you’ll be doing.
Southeastern checked all those boxes for two associates who joined our company in May 1982: John Mahon (Regional Service Manager) and Jeff Sisk (Service Manager/Cambridge Branch). Over the years, they’ve honed their skills and applied their talent to multiple areas of the business to help us deliver on our mission of providing groundbreaking service.
Since our company’s modest beginnings selling motor graders to our growth as a multi-state operation, Southeastern’s success has been shaped and enriched by our people. And there’s no better example than our associates who have been with us for decades. On the occasion of their 40-year service anniversaries, John and Jeff talked about their career paths and why Southeastern has been the right choice for them.
Dirt, Diagnostics, and the Service Desk: A Career Journey
Jeff Sisk loved big iron from the beginning.
“When I was a little kid, my parents were building a new house,” he recalled. “A guy who was working on the site picked me up and put me in the seat of a dozer. That’s when I knew I wanted to do something with heavy equipment. I still love the smell of fresh dirt being turned over.”
In 1981, Jeff got his start in the industry as an operator — until a breakdown put his mechanical abilities to the test. He was running a scraper in a mall parking lot when the head gasket cracked. “They brought me a new gasket, the specs, and some tools and said, here you go!”
Since joining Southeastern as a mechanic in 1982, his passion and interest in all aspects of the industry have continued to grow right along with the company. “When I came to Southeastern, we only had five locations. Invoices were hand typed, and we didn’t have cell phones — we had two-ways.”
While many things have changed over the years, John notes one thing has stayed the same. “If you’re willing to learn and willing to try, somebody at Southeastern will always, always help you.”
That philosophy served John well in 1998 when he was promoted to Service Manager for the Cambridge Branch — a role he wasn’t exactly sure he was ready for.
“I didn’t even know how to turn a computer on,” he laughed. “My boss John Mahon said there’s nothing you can do to break this machine. So I got busy learning how to close out orders, oversee a project, and help with warranty work. It’s been a growing place for me because we’re all constantly helping each other out.”
So what’s the favorite part of his job after all these years? For John, it comes down to troubleshooting, talking to techs, and building relationships with customers.
“Right after I started in the manager position, Mr. Baker came to my desk, sat down in my chair, and said, ‘Is one of the most challenging seats in the company? Everything that goes wrong comes right here.’”
As it turned out, John’s training and experience as a mechanic, along with his ability to solve problems and his willingness to learn, more than prepared him for the job. “I wish everyone had a chance to sit in this seat,” he said. “Some days you want to pull your hair out. But you get to be part of integrating the whole process. It’s been a good ride all along.”
From Shop Floor to Forever Career
When John Mahon started working as a tech at Southeastern in 1982, he never dreamed he’d stay so long or accomplish so much. But it just seemed like every time he turned around, there was a new challenge to be met.
“It really doesn’t seem like forty years ago,” he said. “Time flies when you’re busy and have a job to do.”
John’s interest in heavy equipment began at an early age working on tractors and cars on his family’s hobby farm in Philo, Ohio. After completing his Auto Diesel technical degree at the University of Northwestern Ohio, he landed at Southeastern.
“I started out in the shop, then was in the field for a few years,” he recalled. “Back then, computers were new. Being a techie, I was interested in working on that side of the business, so my boss put me into warranty.”
John helped bring the Warranty Department online, migrating from file cards to computers, establishing electronic communications, and digitizing claims.
“I like change, so it was a great fit for me,” said John. “We are a culture that has always rallied around taking care of the customer. So we always supported each other when there were new things to learn that could make the business better.”
Today as Regional Service Manager, John oversees service and warranty processes, handles advanced customer service issues, and supports technician training. With forty years of experience under his belt, he enjoys having the opportunity to help grow Southeastern’s next generation of service professionals.
“You have to constantly develop your bench,” said John, “and I hope more people will consider a career in this field. A four-year college education isn’t the path for everyone. There are lots of two-year programs and internships for anyone who wants to learn, grow, and have a great career.”
About Southeastern Equipment Company
Southeastern Equipment Company has been selling, servicing, and renting heavy machinery since 1957. The company has 18 locations and operates in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia. Southeastern Equipment also offers online parts sales at https://parts.southeasternequip.com. Manufacturers represented by Southeastern Equipment Company include: CASE Construction, Kobelco, Bomag, Gradall, Mauldin Paving Products, Etnyre, Vacall, Schwarze, Eager Beaver Trailers, Superior Broom, Fecon, Skytrak, JLG, Sullair, Werk Brau, and several others. For more information, visit www.southeasternequip.com.
