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September 2008 Press & CharterHarbor Springs Staff
Pete Ambrose, Harbor Springs
Pete Ambrose, our most seasoned building material salesperson, has been with Preston Feather Building Centers since 1982. Over the years Pete has developed a loyal customer base and has supplied materials to hundreds of projects throughout Northwest Lower Michigan and the Eastern Upper Penninsula.
Pete enjoys watching NASCAR but prefers the excitement of spending the weekend at Michigan International Speedway and feeling the sound and speed of 200-mph first hand. Back home he likes to play golf but admits a couple of lessons may be something to look into.
At work Pete's goal is "Treat the Customer the way I would want to be treated, and back it up with a hand shake that says you can trust me."
Contact Pete at 231-348-1308, or pma@prestonfeather.com
Jay Steffel, Harbor Springs
Jay Steffel has been selling wood for over 20 years, “I can’t remember what I did before that!”
He works directly with contractors to complete their construction projects also assisting with estimating and ordering of the materials for them. Jay has earned a Michigan Builders License.
What he likes best about his job at Preston Feather is the people, “From the drivers to the managers, we have the greatest people any business would want.” He also enjoys the people he gets to meet including the contractors and their customers.
Jay’s favorite non-work activity is traveling; he also likes to camp, boat and snow ski. He and his wife Patti are the parents of four grown children.
Call Jay at 231-348-1311, or djs@prestonfeather.com
John Ritter, Harbor Springs
John is one of the first people you will encounter as you enter the Harbor Springs store. Always quick with a smile, he describes his job as, “Customer service, from sales to delivery & beyond.” He makes it look easy locating building products, placing special orders and scheduling deliveries. “I want to make sure every customer is satisfied with my service.” He enjoys the wide variety of people he gets to work with including builders, home owners and co-workers.
John joined the company as a driver over ten years ago and has been involved with sales, both inside and out, for many years. Prior to joining us he held positions in machine shops and hardware stores in Southwestern Michigan. As the son of a Methodist minister, his childhood was spent in many Michigan towns, graduating from Edwardsburg High School.
In addition to his responsibilities with the company, John has been a volunteer fire fighter for over 18 years. Other interests include spending time with his wife and children enjoying the water, woods and fields of Northern Michigan.
Call John at 231-348-1389
Ron Midyett, Harbor Springs
Ron has been with Preston Feather Building Centers since 1987, joining us when he was still a teenager. He has worked in just about every position during his time here eventually becoming an outside salesman. As he puts it, “I supply contractors with building materials in an efficient, cost effective, and courteous manner.” Much of his work day is spent traveling from jobsite to jobsite making sure our customers are getting what they need.
After all these years, Ron enjoys working here because, “… management is willing to make changes to better service our clientele.” He also enjoys the people he works with.
During his free time, he reads a lot and spends time being a Dad. “I have two boys and a girl. My oldest son has graduated college, is married and lives in Ohio with his wife and baby girl. My son will be a junior this year, has an after school job and is a wrestler. My daughter is a freshman and loves everything to do with girl stuff (clothes, makeup, etc.)”
Reach Ron at 231-348-1310, or rwm@prestonfeather.com
Joe Malec, Harbor Springs
Joe has a background installing insulation prior to joining Preston Feather. He’s held positions as delivery driver and counter sales in Petoskey before moving to the Harbor Springs store.
He attempts to satisfy our customers at his initial contact. Joe likes getting to know what the customer wants making sure we can get it to them while getting things done right the first time. What he likes best about working at Preston Feather is “Its customer service philosophy as a whole.”
Petoskey Little League has honored Joe with a Volunteer of the Year award; he continues with Little League as Chief Umpire. Other interests include outdoor activities such as biking, swimming, camping and golfing.
Call Joe at 231-348-1389Paul Loubert, Harbor Springs
Paul is a relative newcomer to Preston Feather Building Centers, but a veteran in the construction industry. Prior to joining us he worked with several area contractors. His goal is to provide the best customer service that he can in an effort to make customers pleased enough they’ll want us to make money too!
His philosophy is “Just do it, that’s all,” while he spends time finding special things for the customers' building projects.
Paul grew up (not quite yet, he admits) and attend school in Lake Orion. He enjoys all the people he meets and works with at Preston Feather.
When he’s not at the counter or on your jobsite, he’s home in his wood working shop building things.
Contact Paul at 231-348-1342, or ploubert@prestonfeather.com
Russ Cieslak, Harbor Springs
If Russ ever gets out of the lumber business, he might be a success as a stand-up comic. Russ is one of the funniest characters at our Harbor Springs store. He is one of our contractor sales specialists – spending most of his time around Emmet county visiting jobsites and helping contractors get the right materials to the site at the right stages of the project.
Life makes him laugh, and when he’s not working, he’d rather be with his family. Russ grew up in the Detroit area attending Cass Tech. He was a self-employed contractor before joining Preston Feather Building Centers.
Many of Russ’ off-work activities revolve around his children’s interests. He has been on the Sports Boosters committee and has been involved in 4H with his daughters. Russ and his family reside on a working farm in northern Emmet County. He and his wife are parents to three: eldest daughter a senior in college, son a freshman in college and youngest daughter a senior in high school.
Call Russ at 231-348-1309, or rpc@prestonfeather.com
