Ascension Elevating Devices
Ascension Elevating Devices is a family run, full service elevator company, formed by mechanics to provide reliable and ethical service to all building owners. Ascension Elevating Devices specializes in: Elevator maintenance, keeping your old equipment operating reliably and safely, providing cost effective, timely repairs, full or partial elevator modernizations, providing our customers with the information they need to make beneficial decisions, new elevator construction, rack and pinion installation and maintenance, escalator services, all types of disability lifts, commercial and residential and installation of third party, open sourced, non-proprietary equipment.
As this month’s Member spotlight, we got to hear from Ascension Elevating Devices Field Supervisor – Don McLellan:
How many years have you been in this business?
Roughly 35 years.
Why did you join BOMA?
As a company we joined BOMA in order to use our membership as a means of letting building owners know there are local service providers available. We want to show that we are a local, cost effective alternative for elevator related work. BOMA allows us to take action in challenging the idea that bigger is always better when it comes to working with elevator contractors. The larger corporations may not be able to deliver the personalized attention you deserve and won't always offer the best value for service.
What's one thing - either industry-related or not - you learned in the last month?
In this past month I’ve learned the true importance of taking some well earned time off every once in a while.
What educational or business experiences best prepared you for your career?
Home study, using my resources independently to further my career and knowledge as an elevator technician. Secondly, taking on a position of responsibility on big jobs as a supervisor or project manager, and learning to adjust to these larger projects and the accountability/supervision they entail.
What advice would you give to professionals coming in to the commercial industry?
My advice would be to work hard and teach yourself, not only aspects of the trade but how to effectively learn from others and from experience. Embracing every possible situation as a learning opportunity, and working as hard as you can in the process, will allow you to continuously expand your knowledge and skill to its fullest potential.
If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be and why?
The best advice I could give would be none at all. I believe it is more beneficial to learn from your mistakes rather than trying to avoid them all together. The first mistake in any situation is not a mistake but a lesson learned, use these opportunities to your advantage.
What's your favourite movie and why?
My favourite movie is Captain Phillips, it was an inspiring true story, and I enjoyed hearing his speech given in Saint John.
If you could have dinner with someone famous (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
I would choose Captain Richard Phillips. I was fascinated by the speech he gave and would be interested in hearing more of what he has to say. He’s one of few famous people I’d enjoy listening to over dinner, as long as he’s paying!
How do you define success?
Finding and fulfilling a career that you genuinely enjoy, that suits you and accentuates your most valued traits. Success is achieving fulfillment in your day to day life, regardless of the circumstances.