River City Six: Al Rief
Engineered Controls (www.engineeredcontrols.com) is a leading Honeywell building automation contractor that can provide solutions for HVAC controls, gas detection, lighting controls, security and parking management for commercial, residential, and industrial properties. Al Rief is a Service Manager at Engineered Controls.
Tell us a little about your business. – We offer complete turnkey building automation solutions including new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work.
How did you get started in the business? – I graduated from SCC-Milford with an Electrical Technology degree in 2001 and shortly thereafter accepted a position at Engineered Controls. I worked as an electrician until I received my Journeyman’s license. After that, I accepted a position as a technician within Engineered Controls, a position that I held for ten years and learned the ins and outs of the construction industry. I held that position for ten years and learned the industry inside and out. Then in 2014 I was promoted to my current position.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Deciding whether to stay with Engineered Controls at the Kansas City office to lead our electrical install team or move back to Omaha and become a technician. I took the position in Omaha and fortunately it opened up many doors for me. I have gained many certifications and experience in many aspects of our industry, which is always changing so I learn something new every day.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Organizing and developing a service team that can adapt to our customers’ needs. Anyone in the service industry knows that each customer’s needs are different and you have to work towards strengthening that relationship. When our customers succeed, we succeed.
Tell us a little about your family. – I originally grew up in West Point, NE. I’m married to my wife, Tara, who is employed at Wisconsin Physicians Service working in the Financial and Accounting field. We currently live in Omaha and have two boys, Landon (10) and Jaxon (7). Landon loves to play tackle football, while Jaxon plays basketball most days.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Spending time outdoors! I enjoy hunting, fishing, water sports and riding ATVs. I spend most of my weekend camping and boating with my family.
What are you the most proud of? – Our two boys. They are respectful and know they have to work towards their goals. My wife and I work hard to raise them to have a solid moral compass.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Learn from your past experiences and then let them go. The world is constantly changing and you cannot live in the past.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – Come As You Are by Nirvana.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I enjoy attending Whitetails Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever banquets that support our wildlife conservation.
What is your favorite movie? – Lone Survivor.
What is your favorite TV show? – College football!
What is your favorite local restaurant? – I am a big fan of pizza places. One of my regulars would be Oscar’s Pizza and Sports Grille.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Albert Einstein.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Visit us online at www.engineeredcontrols.com or email me directly at arief@engineeredcontrols.com. If you have any interest in what ECI can do for you, email us at service@engineeredcontrols.com or call us at (402) 991-4115.
Click this link to see all of Engineered Controls News & Info on Strictly Business