Meet Erick Purtle, a Heavy Field Service Technician in our Little Rock, AR branch! Erick recently became a Taylor Master Certified Service Technician, so we thought it would be a great time for everyone to learn a little bit about him!
Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Little Rock, AR and have lived in Arkansas most of my life. Before high school we lived in Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, and Lake Charles, LA. Around the time I turned 13, we moved to Glen Rose, AR. I’ve traveled a lot for work, but have always come back to Glen Rose and will always call it home.
How long have you been with Hugg & Hall?
Collectively around 12-14 years. I started as a rental tech and through changes in the company, I became a service tech. I left for a few years and when I returned I went back to being a service tech.
After a period of time I was asked to be the lead tech for the shop. Our shop foreman had some medical issues and I was ask to perform his duties for close to a year. Once we found a new foreman, it wasn’t long before I went on the road as heavy equipment road technician. That’s what I still do today.
What does a day in the life of a Service Technician look like?
We deal with the weather, good or bad, and few late evenings, but we have the freedom and opportunity to use our ideas to get the customer operational in the safest and most efficient manner possible.
What’s the best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?
The family-based environment. Knowing that not just the people that you work next to everyday care about what happens to you, but even the people at the corporate level have your best interest at heart.
Do you have a favorite memory of your time here at Hugg & Hall?
There was an evening that one of our techs had to get a customer’s wheel loader operational before the next morning so it could be delivered. Word got out to the other heavy road techs and as they got done with their last jobs of the day, they showed up one by one. We all worked late into the night to get it done. This wasn’t because we were told or even asked to. It was just because we knew him and the customer needed the help. I will remember that forever.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Hunting, fishing, and floating the river.
What is an interesting or random fact about you people may not know?
I love to do karaoke.
Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.
It’s kind of goofy, but I got it from a Canadian sitcom called Letter Kenny– “Pitter Patter Let’s Get At ‘Er”. I’m pretty sure it’s just another way of saying, let’s getter done. I believe once you have discussed what needs to happen and made a plan, the only thing left is to do the work. Nothing gets accomplished by over thinking or making excuses.
Congratulations on your recognition, Erick! We’re happy to have you on our team!
Read more employee spotlights to learn more about our awesome team!