Hello to all my wonderful friends in Australia and New Zealand! Even though I’m currently on the other side of the world here in the US, I always consider Down Under my second home.
I spent 20 years in the US Navy as a Nuclear Engineer, primarily on submarines. Upon retiring, I unexpectedly found myself working in a laundry factory as the Maintenance Manager. Fast forward 21 years, and I’m still here – once you’re in, it seems you can’t easily escape!
After a few years in the factory, where I invested a lot in rebuilding and gained insights into the operational side of the business, I decided to transition to the vendor world. I joined Dober Chemical, the second-largest supplier of wash floor and wastewater chemicals in North America at the time. As a chemical representative, I managed the business in the Florida region, and Dober was renowned for its industry-leading technology. We pioneered the wash floor display showing production metrics, setting a trend that others followed.
Fifteen years ago, Dober took a bold step by establishing a new division called Spindle. I was fortunate to be chosen to join this division, which aimed to revolutionize the industry by providing real-time data and displays to save money in production labor and energy. A year later, Dober sold its wash floor division to Ecolab, emphasizing their commitment to Spindle.
Backing up a bit, during my Navy days, I mainly sailed the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, exploring ports in the Mediterranean, the UK, Norway, and Scotland. Despite wanting to visit the Pacific, I never had the chance. Surprisingly, after leaving the Navy, I’ve spent more time in Australia and New Zealand than in any house I’ve lived in the US.
Spindle initially didn’t focus on the Asia-Pacific region, but we were drawn in by a couple of companies 12 years ago. I was fortunate to be chosen for the journey. Since then, I’ve made numerous friends and developed a deep affection for the land down under. Whenever I’m asked about my favorite place during my world travels, I always mention Australia and New Zealand. Whether in Cairns, Auckland, the Barossa Valley, or on the Murray River in Morgan, the people always welcome you with open arms.
While I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Australia and New Zealand, I still have two destinations on my bucket list: New Zealand’s South Island and the intriguing Tasmania. I can’t wait to explore these places I haven’t been to yet.
