|
AFT President
--
Shan Beckley
Armed with a business degree in Operations Management
from Arizona State University, Shan was recruited by
PCC in June 1988 to participate in the company's
Career Development Program. The program provided him
with the opportunity to work in each of the functional
areas of
PCC's Structural Division (manufacturing, finance,
scheduling, etc.), culminating with a one-year stint in
Corporate Purchasing where he was responsible for the
purchasing of all alloys and related metals for the
division. After that, he then proceeded to a
Manufacturing Supervisor position in the Titanium
Casting Facility, then to Team Manager of small parts in
the titanium business.
After PCC acquired AFT in June
1991, Shan joined AFT the following month as Materials
Manager. Over the next 12 years, he worked his way through
the company as Manufacturing Manager, Sales Manager,
Product Group Vice President, MIM Senior Vice-President,
and then to his present position of President of AFT
with three businesses and two MIM locations, one in Retsag,
Hungary.
Keeping things exciting and enjoyable at
AFT is part of the job, Shan says. In fact, he
credits much of the company's dynamic growth to an
atmosphere that promotes teamwork, participation and
excitement of the technologies inherent growth
potential.
"For
me, the most exciting part of the job is working with a
team of people who share a common goal to grow and
grow--and have fun while doing it," Shan says. "To have a
team of people who participate in that common vision and
feel the excitement of our contributions is awesome! I
think that one of the rewards of my job is creating and
maintaining a business environment where people want--and
yes, desire--to work and contribute to AFT's success versus the 'it's just a job'
mentality."
A
strong believer in maintaining an open door policy and
"management by walking around and talking", Shan says
that giving people the opportunity to contribute can
often lead to conflicts. But he stresses that it's also
those conflicts that often lead to growth.
"My
direct colleagues will more often than not let it fly
with me if need be when an issue exists--not exactly a
culture of 'politics', but I respect and appreciate
that," Shan says. "After all, with growth come
conflicts. But our true performance is measured in our
ability to recognize, address and overcome those
conflicts. While it's a continual test of our
communication skills and abilities, I always keep in
mind that in the end we're all pulling the same rope in
the same direction at the same time."
True, keeping things fun and exciting at
AFT may be part of the environment that Shan
encourages within the company. But it may also have
something to do with the environment outside the company
walls, as well. Namely, the playground that's Colorado.
Among the benefits Shan counts to having AFT based in Colorado are over 310 sunny days a year
and a spectacular landscape that offers something for
everyone. He also adds that it doesn't hurt as a selling
tool for clients--especially during ski season.
"We're clearly a destination that current and
prospective customers enjoy visiting, particularly
during ski season," Shan says. "It's incredible how many
visitors we get on a Friday or Monday during the ski
season. Now, perhaps it's pure coincidence, but..." he
says, smiling.
Shan's own interests outside the office run to skiing,
bird-hunting and golf. He admits to having an especially
competitive nature on the golf course and often likes to
play spirited game with friends and co-workers.
"I
thoroughly enjoy a little competitive game of golf
amongst friends and co-workers," Shan says. "I think
it's a therapeutic stress reliever. But I'm afraid to
admit that I dislike--downright hate--losing. I hate it
more than I enjoy winning."
Something to keep in mind the next time the boss invites
you to go golfing.
For Shan, being competitive
and winning--both on an off the course--means not resting
on one's laurels. In terms of the company, it means
continuing to provide each customer with a solution and
path to success in profitable growth while utilizing
AFT's current and emerging technologies. As he sees
it, each customer's success--or victory--is a step toward
the next opportunity and challenge.
"I'm
a firm believer that the AFT team is not en-route to a destination, but that
we're on a journey with various milestones of success,"
Shan says. "Victory is measured in where it takes you
next."
|
