The Elevator Careers Podcast

Hosted by Matt Allred

Business ManagementInterviews guests

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Episodes

151

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Elevator Careers Podcast explores the careers, challenges, and innovations shaping the elevator industry. Through conversations with professionals across the trade, we share career journeys, lessons, business advice, and more. We aim to educate, share experiences, and connect the community. Hosted by Matt Allred of The Allred Group, a leading elevator industry recruiting firm.

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60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 3941 min

The Critical Role of Preventative Elevator Maintenance | Johnny LeSalle

Today's guest is Johnny LaSalle, COO of Mod Pros Elevator, and an industry leader with experience both in the field and in management. In this interview, we dove into current issues surrounding preventative maintenance, from overloaded service routes and growing financial pressures to why some modern elevators require modernization so soon. We also discussed essential steps to strengthen the partnership between property managers and elevator contractors. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:24 Changes in the elevator industry over the last 15-20 years 02:24 Financial pressures and technology challenges in maintenance 02:55 Customer perceptions and the visibility of mechanics 04:15 Market pricing, competition, and cost management 06:11 Variability in repair costs and equipment obsolescence 07:24 Challenges with modern elevator components and safety 08:12 Setting proper expectations with property owners 10:00 The importance of proactive maintenance and pride in work 13:42 The impact of design and technology on rope and component lifespan 18:00 Profitability in elevator maintenance and the role of good service 20:48 Newer modernization windows based on value engineering 21:31 Obsolescence of elevator components and technological change 25:17 Maintenance effects on the mod cycle 26:00 Proprietary vs nonproprietary equipment 27:48 Effects of design and component choices on maintenance cycles 32:24 Example of equipment starting to fail 34:17 Key questions for property managers to ask elevator contractors 37:20 Building trust and partnership through transparency and education 40:03 Closing remarks 40:44 Outro Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

October 14, 2026Episode 3824 min

From Knowing Nothing About Elevators to Building an Elevator Company | Monika Stypulkowska

In this episode, Monika Stypulkowska proves that you don't need decades in an industry to make an impact. Monika arrived in the United States with no prior elevator knowledge and just six years later founded Alfa Elevators. With curiosity, relentless persistence, and a commitment to serving customers, she overcame obstacles, earned trust in a male-dominated field, and built a respectable business. In this conversation, Monika shares what it's like to build an elevator business, why persistence beats experience, and how putting customers first has become the foundation of her company's success. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:44 Monika’s journey to America and entrepreneurial spirit 02:58 Discovering the elevator industry 03:30 Choosing an unfamiliar career path 04:07 Overcoming doubts and challenges 05:40 Being underestimated and building trust 06:36 Solving an “unsolvable” problem: determined to find a way 10:06 Customer care essential methods 12:41 Hardest lessons early in business ownership 15:47 What separates thriving industry professionals 17:21 Building trust with property managers and your own team 21:18 Advice to younger self and goals 24:00 Outro Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

October 7, 2026Episode 371 hr 4 min

LIVE BROADCAST: What's at Stake for Elevator Codes in North America? ISO 8100 vs. A17.1

If implemented, ISO 8100 elevator code could have a major impact on the future of elevator standards and regulation in North America. But what exactly is being proposed, and what could it mean? In this livestream, I met with Don Gelestino, John Koshak, and David Guerin. We discussed ISO 8100 and A17.1, the differences between the two standards and the questions surrounding this potential change. We’ll discuss what could be at stake for elevator safety, manufacturers and companies, and other stakeholders, as well as concerns around maintenance, inspection, proprietary equipment, documentation, capacity and accountability. We’ll also look at whether changing the standards would actually address safety challenges and discuss alternative approaches to these issues. This discussion is intended to explore concerns surrounding elevator codes and what elevator professionals & companies, regulators, and building owners should know as the conversation develops. Article written by David Guerin & John Koshak about this proposed code change, published in Elevator World Magazine: https://elevatorworld.com/article/the-case-for-a-federal-elevator-safety-floor/ Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

September 21, 2026Episode 3637 min

A General Contractor’s Honest Take: Working with the Elevator Industry | Zane Andersson

Today’s guest is general contractor Zane Andersson, who's spent decades coordinating projects that depend on successful elevator installations. In this conversation, he offers an external view of elevator projects: what general contractors appreciate from elevator companies, where projects often go wrong, and how communication can prevent costly mistakes. This conversation shares valuable ways that contractors, project managers, and elevator companies can build stronger partnerships. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:18 Experience as a General Contractor 03:52 The Most Costly Elevator Mistake Zane Witnessed 06:27 Requirements for Elevator to be Emergency Egress 08:40 How it Could Have been Caught Sooner 10:16 Lessons for Architects, Owners and Developers 12:15 Why Elevator Problems Show Up Late in a Project 14:57 Percentage of Elevator Projects That Cost More Than Expected 17:11 The Difference a Pre-Inspection Makes 18:53 The Headaches Caused by Elevator Issues 19:55 How Building Owners Accidentally Create Elevator Problems 21:37 Flipper vs Owner Mindset 23:56 Innovative Solutions for Accessibility…A Decade Late 29:54 How Much a Project’s Success Depends on Relationships 31:46 What Companies Could Change 34:17 The Way Toward Better Collaboration with the Elevator Trade 38:13 Outro Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

September 15, 2026Episode 3559 min

What Will AI Mean for Your Career—and Your Company? LIVE BROADCAST

AI is changing how businesses operate, and the elevator industry isn't immune. In this live conversation, I met with Jonathan Taub, President of Fieldboss, who has over twenty years of experience in software strategy, implementation, and customer success running high-performing operations. We discussed what AI means for elevator professionals and companies, what opportunities and concerns are emerging, and how it could affect company valuations, job responsibilities, and the value of employees’ skills. The goal of this conversation is to clarify: where an elevator company should start with AI, what risks companies should consider before adopting new technology, and what AI could mean for your business, your skills, and your career. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: AI and the Elevator Industry 00:54 Jonathan’s Journey Into Software and Elevators 07:03 How AI Has Changed Since the NAEC Conference 10:28 Why Elevator Companies Need to Pay Attention to AI 12:35 What AI Means 14:24 AI Governance, Security, and Guardrails 20:26 What AI Can Do for Elevator Companies 23:22 The Future of AI, IoT, and Predictive Maintenance 26:19 Where AI Can Have the Biggest Impact 31:00 AI Opportunities for Independent and Large Contractors 34:33 AI Adoption Starts With Operations 38:01 Making Technology Transformations Work 42:59 AI, Technology, and Elevator Company Valuations 45:51 How AI Could Change Elevator Careers 49:18 The Human Skills That Will Matter More 52:16 How Elevator Companies Can Start Using AI Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

September 7, 2026Episode 3425 min

Elevator Careers: The Power of Saying "I Can Do That" | Evelyn Adams

Today, I’m joined by Evelyn Adams, General Manager of Texacone, whose career is a great example of what can happen when you’re willing to learn, step up, and do whatever needs to be done. Evelyn began her career as an accounts payable clerk and, through hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to take on new challenges, eventually worked her way into leadership. In this conversation, we talk about her career journey, what makes the elevator industry feel like a family, and her creation of Elevator 101 to help newcomers better understand the industry. This is a conversation about curiosity, lifelong learning, and the opportunities that can open up when you're willing to keep growing. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Evelyn Adams 03:59 Discovering the Elevator Industry 07:26 The Birth of Elevator 101 10:35 Career Growth and Learning 12:26 Overcoming Limitations Without a Degree 16:15 The Importance of Knowing Who to Ask 17:51 Traditions and Values of Texacone 18:40 Private Equity in the Elevator Industry 20:16 Women in the Elevator Industry 22:27 Opportunities for Women Today 23:54 Advice for Newcomers to the Industry Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

August 31, 2026Episode 3326 min

Why Elevator Technician Turnover is Hurting Customers—and What Can Help | Bernard Lee

Today’s guest is Bernard Lee, a longtime property manager who has spent more than thirty years working with elevator service companies. He's seen the value of having technicians who know a building inside and out, and he's also seen what happens when that continuity disappears. In this conversation, we discuss trends he’s seen in elevator service over the years, why technician turnover matters so much to customers, and how mentorship can strengthen the industry as a whole. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - How Elevator Service Has Changed Over 30 Years 02:37 - The Customer Impact of Technician Turnover 04:04 - Why Long-Term Technicians Know a Building Differently 07:25 - What Constant Turnover Signals to Customers 09:01 - When Turnover Creates Costly Problems 10:19 - Why Mentorship Is Critical to the Elevator Industry 12:33 - What Makes a Great Mentor? 16:34 - What the Elevator Industry Loses When Experience Walks Away 19:27 - Hands-On Learning 22:33 - How Elevator Companies Can Rebuild Customer Relationships 24:21 - Building the Next Generation of Elevator Technicians Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

August 24, 2026Episode 3244 min

How Elevators Built the Modern World | Lee Gray

Today's guest is Lee Gray, an architectural historian whose career took an unexpected turn when a graduate school research paper sparked a lifelong fascination with elevators. More than forty years later, he has become one of the world's leading authorities on the history of vertical transportation. His research has been featured by National Geographic, CBS Sunday Morning, and the History Channel, and today he joins us to explore how elevators transformed cities, real estate, and everyday transportation. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 1:19 Lee’s Journey to Becoming an Elevator Historian 6:15 Impact on Life and Career 8:25 The Impact of Elevators on Urban Development 10:05 The Relationship Between Skyscrapers and the Modern Elevator 13:55 The Economic Shift in Real Estate 17:39 The Importance of Safety Devices in Elevators 23:00 Evolution of Elevator Safety Systems 26:27 Innovations in Elevator Technology 28:45 Global Elevator Revolution 33:02 Cultural Perspectives on Elevator Design 35:28 The Shift in Elevator Industry Leadership 39:00 The Success of Early Elevator Pioneers 40:03 Today’s Societal Issues with Elevators 41:39 Essential Takeaways from Early Elevators 44:27 Outro Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

August 17, 2026Episode 3145 min

Elevators, Codes, and Consequences: Lessons from 55 Years in the Industry | Lee Rigby

Today's guest is Lee Rigby, an elevator code expert who has spent more than 55 years in the elevator industry as a mechanic, contractor, inspector, instructor, consultant, and now expert witness. In this episode, Lee shares insights from decades of interpreting and teaching elevator codes and explains some of the industry's most common misconceptions about modernization and code compliance. We also discussed what years of expert witness work have taught him about the role safety practices and documentation play when accidents lead to litigation. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:17 - Working on aircraft carrier elevators 04:04 - The complexity of elevator codes and evolving standards 08:28 - A practical definition of modernization 10:02 - The importance of proper documentation 11:45 - A code puzzle: the Citrus Tower 13:50 - Handling old equipment with missing records 16:50 - Code interpretations 19:13 - Solving code puzzles and continuous learning 22:12 - Code puzzle: Fire service upgrade 23:38 - Human nature with accidents and litigation 25:17 - Mechanics’ mistakes during deposition 26:33 - Critical safety checks for door forces 30:37 - The significance of documenting and safety measures 32:38 - Most memorable expert witness cases 37:01 - The risks of skipping safety procedures 40:45 - Shortcuts during inspections and maintenance 42:36 - What separates excellent documentation 44:44 - Case study: documentation gaps 46:34 - What the industry still needs to learn about code and safety 48:07 - The roles Lee has peformed: lessons from a well-rounded career 51:06 - Lee’s ongoing passion for the industry Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com

August 10, 2026Episode 3030 min

Elevator Traveling Cables: Innovation, Codes, and Reaching New Heights | Dillard Green

Today's guest is Dillard Green, a manufacturing and engineering expert with over four decades of experience supporting the elevator industry. Throughout his career, Dillard has worked at the intersection of manufacturing, engineering, code compliance, and innovation, helping develop solutions for everyday buildings and iconic projects like the Burj Khalifa and Disney's Tower of Terror. In this episode, we explore the role of elevator traveling cables and the lessons he's learned throughout his career. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Dillard’s Career Journey 03:59 The Importance of Elevator Traveling Cables 07:13 Navigating Industry Standards and Regulations 09:27 Innovation vs. Code Regulation in Elevator Technology 20:46 Audio Visual Code Change 21:58 Unique Projects: Burj Khalifa and Disney's Tower of Terror 28:46 Advice for New Professionals in the Industry 29:45 Outro Resources: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/ Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/ Connect With Us: https://linktr.ee/AllredGroup Join our Newsletter - Episodes, Elevator Jobs, Insights, and more: https://eepurl.com/jnVaOM A Message From Our Sponsor: Looking for top-tier talent to join your team? Call The Allred Group for your elevator recruiting needs! With a deep network and unmatched industry expertise, we quickly connect you with skilled professionals who are ready to elevate your team. Let us handle the hiring process, so you can focus on growing your business with the best in the industry. Reach out today, and let us help you take your business to new heights! To contact us go to: https://allredgroup.com