Norris Inc. prides itself on hiring the best people around. Norris has a nearly 40-year tradition of building a strong team that cares about country, community and giving of self to help others. In a continuing segment, Norris will take a look at the team members who make the Norris Difference!

Today’s Profile interview is with recent Patriot Award Winnerand Norris Chief Operations Officer, Craig Elkanich.

What’s your title and included duties at Norris?

Chief Operations Officer. My primary duties and responsibilities are essentially all things operations.  The operations department is broken up into different sections across all three states [Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont]; Service, Installations, Maintenance & Inspections, Remote Service, CAD\Engineering, Project Management. 

How long have you been at Norris?

13 Years

What different positions have you held at Norris?

I actually started out as a fire alarm inspector.  Within about six months I moved into performing service and then commissioning some of our biggest systems.  In 2009 I became the field supervisor for Southern Maine, and in 2010 Northern Maine was added on as well.  In 2012 I became the service manager for New Hampshire, Vermont, and Northern Maine. In December of 2014 I moved into my current position.

How has your tenure at Norris prepared you to be successful in life?

Luckily I have been able to work with some of the best people possible, not only in this industry but in leadership as well.  From them, I have been able to learn so much over the years and they have really helped me grow. 

What do you love most about your job?

There are actually two things I love most about my job.  The first is knowing that our systems can make a difference and help people.  The other is solving problems.

What frustrates you about your job?

There are few things that truly frustrate me.  Almost everything is a problem that can be solved in one way or another.  But if I had to say anything, I guess it would be that I don’t have a chauffeur.  How cool would it be to be able to keep working on those long drives to Bangor, New Hampshire or Vermont?

You also are/were a first responder, correct?

I used to be, having served 13 years.

What first responder role(s) have you filled?

I was on Gray, Maine Fire Rescue for a number of years as a Fire Fighter \ EMT
Then after moving, I was a Lieutenant on New Gloucester Fire Rescue before stepping down to better focus on Norris Inc.

How did those roles prepare you for your duties at Norris?

I joined the department when I was still in high school.  I think this helped me mature rather quickly as I saw the consequences of poor decisions first hand.  It also showed me the importance of working hard, and as a team.  You need to surround yourself with people that you can trust, and this is exactly what I have tried to do at Norris as well.   

Do you have a family?

I have a lovely and supportive wife Becky who puts up with my long hours and work interruptions.

Children?

Only four-legged.  We have two horses, a cat, and we just got our first puppy at the beginning of December.

What lessons have you learned through your duties at Norris that you’d like to pass on to others/your children?

Always treat everyone with respect, be honest, and do the right thing!

Can you talk about one personal goal you have for 2019?

My wife and I are hoping to move out of our first home to find a place that has a little more land for the horses

Can you talk about one professional goal you have for 2019?

I have numerous goals for the operations department, but there is one that is always a goal for me no matter what.  CUSTOMER SATISFACTION!  The industry and times are constantly changing, and what satisfied a customer 20 years ago, may not make them happy now, so this is always a moving target. 

Anything else I haven’t asked about that people should know?

I just really want to thank everyone at Norris Inc. for all the hard work they put in.  It is our people that set us apart from other organizations and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them!