That honest outlook comes after a moment of reflection for Eldon, who was recently announced as Associated Equipment Distributors’ (AED) Technician of the Year for Canada. It’s the third time that a SMS Equipment employee has won the honour.
When Eldon heard he was nominated, he responded with, “For the branch?”
His nominator: “No, for Canada!”
“I was stunned,” remembers Eldon. “Considering how many techs there are— so many good people — to be nominated and actually win was overwhelming.” With his signature chuckle, Eldon adds the offer to do autographs still stands.
Eldon singles out what he has liked the most over the 25 years: working in the field.
“You get to be a problem solver,” he explains. “You’re out there, away from everything and on your own. You have no choice but to figure it out!”
It’s a high-pressure scenario, but Eldon simplifies it in a way only he can: “Customers call, the machine is down, everyone is waiting to get it repaired, and there you have it — another satisfied customer. It’s a tangible process with an outcome that makes a big difference for a lot of people.”
Out in the field, Eldon is also constantly reminded of the capabilities — the magic — of machines. “I get to see them work day -in and day-out,” he says. “All these years later and it’s still amazing to see how much material they can move.”
When asked to sum up his career, Eldon is confident: “There to help,” he says. “Since the start, I always want to lend a hand, get the machines up and running, and above all work with a great team to help people accomplish what they want to.”
This drive to help spills out of Eldon’s career and into all aspects of his life. Alongside his wife, he dedicates many hours to animal rescues, especially SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society). He also has close ties to the Terry Fox Foundation, after losing his nephew to osteosarcoma cancer. Eldon himself was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer and thanks to ground-breaking treatment, is now 10 years cancer free and a large supporter of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. He’s inspired to keep helping the people and causes that can make a difference. “Cancer has touched my family too many times, including losing my mother and more recently, my mother-in-law, to this terrible disease,” he says. “It’s the least we can do.”
