Elevator Careers

Hosted by Matt Allred

Business ManagementInterviews guests

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Episodes

135

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Elevator Careers is a podcast dedicated to the people who spend their lives and careers working in the vertical transportation industry. It is produced for the benefit of both elevator companies who are looking to hire great talent and for those who want to continue to grow professionally within the industry. This is an opportunity to create a dialogue with all of these stakeholders, learning from them and hearing the gems they have gleaned in their professions. The "Elevator Careers" podcast” is an opportunity to pay it forward" by sharing knowledge learned in the business and in the trade and helping others who are on similar journeys.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 2237 min

Establishing Elevator Safety: Habits, Risks & Responsibility | Mike Luraschi

In this episode, I sat down with Mike Luraschi, VP of Safety and Risk Management at TEI Group, to talk about safety in the elevator industry: how it’s evolved over the years, why complacency creates the biggest risks, safety resources for small companies, and why mental health support is essential for making sure everyone gets home safely.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:07 Getting into the Elevator Industry03:23 The Importance of Safety in the Elevator Industry05:15 Transitioning to Safety Leadership06:38 Individual Responsibility for Safety09:19 Unique Challenges of Safety in the Elevator Industry12:06 Level of Acceptable Risk17:34 Complacency and its Dangers24:43 Building a Safety Culture28:00 Safety Resources for Smaller Companies30:45 Mental Health & Safety in the Workforce36:21 Final Thoughts on Safety and CommunityResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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: http://allredgroup.com

June 8, 2026Episode 2139 min

40 Years in Elevators: Lessons from an Industry Veteran | Mark Boelhouwer

Today's guest is Mark Boelhouwer, a respected industry leader whose career spans Otis, Oracle Elevator, Vantage, and the founding of American Elevator Group. Mark has helped shape the modern elevator landscape through hundreds of acquisitions, decades of leadership, and a front row seat to the industry's biggest shifts. In this conversation, he shares lessons on growth, leadership, talent, and why the future of the elevator business is still full of opportunity.Chapters:00:00 Mark's Journey into the Elevator Industry09:34 Building American Elevator Group12:20 The Value of Experience in the Industry16:27 Surprises in the Elevator Industry20:14 Commitment to Elevators and Career Reflections21:51 Navigating Career Transitions24:00 Lessons from Starting Oracle Elevator28:09 Key Insights on Team Dynamics31:43 Future of the Elevator Industry36:33 Advice for Newcomers in the IndustryResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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

June 1, 2026Episode 2059 min

What Building Owners Get Wrong About Elevators… That May Cost Millions: LIVE BROADCAST

In this live episode, I met with Matt Jackson and Jose Perez from Blackstone Elevator Consulting, a rapidly growing firm focused on helping building owners, property managers, investors navigate some of the most complex and expensive challenges in vertical transportation. Matt, the company's founder, brings more than 16 years of experience in elevator consulting, modernization planning, maintenance evaluation and capital planning with a strong reputation for helping clients reduce risk and make smarter long-term decisions. Joining him is Jose Perez, regional vice president for the Midwest, whose background spans consulting, modernization, planning, maintenance audits, service agreements, and equipment evaluations with experience at firms including VDA, Schindler, TK, and Urban Elevator. We discussed how building owners can avoid costly mistakes in elevator management and implement creative solutions.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Elevator Consulting and Industry Challenges01:27 Market Trends and Modernization Insights04:43 Understanding Deferred Maintenance and Cost Implications10:13 Navigating Elevator Modernization Estimates12:44 Creative Solutions in Elevator Upgrades20:12 Building Strong Contractor Relationships29:42 The Importance of Communication in Contractor Relationships34:01 The Importance of Communication and Relationships35:28 Budgeting Strategies in the Elevator Industry37:29 Navigating Elevator Service Contracts39:39 Building Trust with Contractors42:18 Creating Fair Contracts for All Parties45:40 The Role of Consultants in the Industry48:06 Common Mistakes Made by Building Owners49:42 Understanding Contract Expectations53:16 Misconceptions About Modernization55:36 Rapid Fire Insights on the IndustryResources:SubscribeSubmit a Topic Idea for the PodcastConnect With UsA 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

May 25, 2026Episode 1931 min

Elevator Industry Education and Collaboration | Michael Carter

In this episode, I sat down with Michael Carter, a partner of MR Elevator in West Texas, to discuss his career journey. Michael shared the process of learning empathy, resilience, self-investment, and leadership on his way from apprentice to business owner. We also discussed the importance of continuous learning and the positive impact that it can have both within the elevator industry and in our communities at large.Chapters:00:00 The Journey Begins: Leaving the Corporate World04:26 Early Lessons: Growth Through Challenges07:14 Mentorship and Self-Discovery09:47 Empathy in Leadership: Building Stronger Teams12:52 Taking Ownership: The Power of Personal Accountability15:30 Transitioning to Office Roles: A New Perspective18:28 Starting a Business: Lessons from Experience20:55 Investing in the Future: The Elevator Industry23:52 West Texas: A New Frontier for Opportunity26:49 Building Community: Education and CollaborationResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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

May 18, 2026Episode 1835 min

Custom Cab Interiors: A Niche in the Elevator Industry | Jared Giblin

In this episode, I sat down with Jared Giblin from Draper Elevator Interiors. We talked about how their business evolved into a highly specialized niche, what goes into designing and installing custom elevator cabs, why interiors require such attention to detail, and what’s next for this area of the elevator industry.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:41 The Evolution of Draper and Its Niche in Elevators07:35 Family Business Culture and Its Impact10:47 Expectations vs Reality of Entering the Business12:06 Navigating Challenges in Custom Elevator Interiors15:03 The Importance of Early Involvement in Projects23:54 Reliability and Quality in Elevator Projects27:07 The Complexity of Cab Interiors29:16 Trends in Elevator Interior Design32:43 The Future of Draper and Industry Innovations33:39 Rapid Fire Insights and Closing Thoughts35:02 The Importance of Recruitment in the Elevator IndustryResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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: http://allredgroup.com

May 11, 2026Episode 1723 min

The Power of Mentorship and Relationships in the Elevator Business | Kris Garcia

In this episode, I interviewed Kris Garcia about his journey from the automotive industry to the elevator business. We discussed his passion for sales, mentorship in the trade, and important lessons he learned throughout his career. Kris emphasized the importance of relationships and shared that he and many others are happy to help newcomers to the elevator trade.Chapters00:00 Kris Garcia's Journey into the Elevator Industry04:09 Mentorship and Relationships in the Elevator Business06:52 Sales Passion and Industry Insights09:39 Lessons Learned and Mistakes Made12:27 Advice for the Next Generation14:49 The Value of Relationships and Career Growth17:26 Reflections on Career Choices and Regrets20:18 The Future of the Elevator Industry and OpportunitiesResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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

May 5, 2026Episode 161 hr 1 min

The Pain of the General Contractor: LIVE BROADCAST with Jeremy Avraham

In this episode, I met with Jeremy Avraham, founder of LiftSync, to discuss how all parties working on an elevator installation can work together to save money, reduce stress, and enjoy the process.Resources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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

April 27, 2026Episode 1620 min

Experiences as President of an Elevator Industry Supplier | Blake Pilgrim

In this episode, I sat down with Blake Pilgrim, president of Wurtec, to discuss his experiences with leadership in the elevator industry. Blake shared key lessons he’s learned, difficult decisions he’s had to make in his position, and his views on the future of elevator technology. Chapters:00:00 Intro01:39 Journey into the Elevator Industry02:33 Key Lessons in Leadership and Culture04:43 The Importance of Integrity in Leadership06:43 Difficult Decisions as a CEO08:27 Wurtec's Unique Position in the Industry11:00 Addressing Inefficiencies in the Field13:09 The Role of Technology in the Elevator Industry15:51 Future Challenges in the Elevator Industry18:10 Advice for Future Elevator Professionals19:38 Final ThoughtsResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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: http://allredgroup.com

April 20, 2026Episode 1531 min

Growing in the Elevator Business by Utilizing Lean Startup Principles | Lisa Diaz

In this conversation, I sat down with Lisa Diaz as she shared her unique journey from Wall Street to the elevator industry. We discussed the need to find and maintain your best customers, and addressed how AI and technology are changing the trade. Lisa also emphasized the importance of human capital and skilled labor for long-term success in the elevator business.Chapters:00:00 From Wall Street to Elevators: A Unique Journey04:49 The Importance of Relationships in Business07:33 Navigating Industry Changes and Challenges10:36 The Role of AI and Technology in Elevators13:15 Understanding Customer Value and Loyalty16:10 Lean Startup Principles for Innovation18:58 The Future of the Elevator Industry22:02 Valuing Human Capital in the WorkforceResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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: http://allredgroup.com

April 14, 2026Episode 1423 min

Negotiating Functional Elevator Design for NYC Skyscrapers | Rick Sayah

In this episode, I interviewed Rick Sayah, the senior vice president of VDA, a New York elevator consulting company. We discussed the process of making an elevator design functional for high-rise buildings, how building standards can vary internationally, and some interesting observations on how human behavior affects transportation. I also asked Rick to share his advice for the next generation of elevator professionals.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:28 Surprising Complexity of Elevator Systems05:07 Deciding on a Career in Elevators06:10 Memorable Elevator Projects and Challenges07:58 Global Building Codes and Regulations09:00 Designing Elevators for Tall Buildings10:34 Impact of Amenities on Elevator Traffic12:45 Mixed-Use Developments and Elevator Planning14:29 Economics of Elevator Design in Skyscrapers16:21 Technological Changes Over 20 Years18:04 Training the Next Generation of Elevator Engineers19:46 Industry Talent Gap and Knowledge Transfer21:50 What Rick Looks for in Buildings22:10 Human Behavior and Elevator Interaction22:54 Final Advice for Aspiring ProfessionalsResources:Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@elevatorcareers/Submit a Topic Idea for the Podcast: https://elevatorcareers.net/Connect With Us: linktr.ee/AllredGroupA 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: http://allredgroup.com