An I&M bucket truck is how most of our customers and communities see us driving or working in their neighborhood. But, did you know we have a fleet department tasked with keeping all of our vehicles up to date and safe?
Jeff Sauter, Fleet Technician-A, is approaching his sixteenth year repairing and maintaining various I&M vehicle in the Fort Wayne area. He explains how our fleet has changed over the years and why he appreciates working for a company dedicated to enriching our communities.
How many garages, vehicles and technicians do you oversee?
I manage one employee and we provide maintenance for fleet vehicles in downtown Fort Wayne, Spy Run Service Center and the Avilla Service Center. This includes keeping up with nearly 100 units like cars, trucks, trailers, our bucket trucks, derrick diggers and all-terrain-vehicles (ATV's). We try our best to repair everything in house.
How is an AEP Fleet technician different from a mechanic?
We are highly focused on safety and since we work on all the same vehicles -- we get to know the cars and trucks. We also have the vehicles on a preventive maintenance schedule to make them last longer, keep things safe and ready to drive for our employees.
What are some of the aspects of the job many people might not know?
We work on just about everything that has a motor. From a car to a truck, to a golf cart and a portable generator. We also work on booms and cranes along with brakes, lights that don't work and engines.
How has our fleet and the job of fleet technician changed over the years?
Our fleet is everchanging -- new designs and advancing technology means vehicles are never the same for more than a year or two. This means our fleet technicians have to change right along with them to keep up. We also get a lot of support and training to help.
What do you love about your job?
What I love most about my job are all the people I get meet and helping when they have a concern. I interact with many different departments and people maintaining the company vehicles they use.
I also enjoy my time here because I&M and our parent company, AEP, supports the community I live in and allows me to volunteer for things like “Day of Caring” and “Habitat for Humanity,” which I have done for many years.
What is the best career or personal advice you’ve ever received?
Slow down and don't rush -- not only at work but in your life. Enjoy what you've been blessed with!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am an avid bowler and I recently retired from coaching high school bowling after 5 years. I am happily married and have a daughter attending Indiana University in Bloomington, so I enjoy spending quality time with them.
For more information about the careers available at I&M and our parent company, American Electric Power (AEP), haga clic aquí.