Some careers are built on a single lucky break. Eric’s was built on family, patience, and two decades of showing up to solve whatever the day put in front of him. This month, CITY Laundering Co is proud to celebrate Eric Mast for 20 years with the company.
For Eric, CITY was practically home before it was ever a job.
“Both my parents and my grandmother worked there while I was growing up, so I ended up starting as summer help, and once I graduated, I started and just never really left,” Eric shared.
“The people I work with have been a good piece of why I’ve been here for 20 years. Other people who have been here this long have kind of become family-ish to you. I enjoy the work, and I’ve also liked the fact that the company allows the ability to grow and advance within the company itself.”
Over two decades, Eric has watched CITY grow from a regional operation into something far bigger than anyone pictured back when he started.
“Here at CITY, over the past 20 years, we’ve shown substantial growth, not only in our service area, but in the type of products we offer,” Eric said.
“We started with Eastern Iowa, and now here we are regionally in the central plains and doing medical and national first aid. That definitely was not on the bingo card 20 years ago.”
Ask Eric what he enjoys most about his role today, and the answer comes back to a simple love of fixing things.
“In maintenance, I enjoy the ability to fix things, as I like to be a problem solver. Nothing better than having something on the verge of a catastrophic issue but being able to figure it out and get things back up and running the way they’re intended,” Eric said.
“Plus, being in maintenance can be a nice challenge that changes daily.”
That daily challenge has taught him a lesson that shapes how he works: slow down to get it right.
“I’ve learned that you definitely need to have patience, and one of the things I’ve always struggled with, growing up, was not being very patient,” Eric reflected.
“Especially in maintenance work, not rushing to find the proper solution, while sometimes frustrating to some due to potential loss of production, is beneficial to finding the correct solution and not something that can give false results.”
When it comes to the people who shaped his career, Eric points first to his father.
“For mentoring, I would have to say my father. He’s pretty much seen it all when it comes to the maintenance side of things, along with his stint as a production manager. That information and knowledge have helped me out since I was just a production worker, to being a team lead for a few years, then carrying an interim maintenance manager title, to now full-on maintenance,” Eric said.
“As for coworkers, I’ve always enjoyed the people I have worked with, and my relations with them are also what makes the work environment a fun and rewarding place to work.”
For anyone just getting started at CITY, Eric’s advice is the same lesson he has spent 20 years living.
“If something doesn’t quite go right, or if you’re having a hard time with things physically, just give it time. I can remember numerous times when I had to do different things or change the way things were done, and I just gave it time, and next thing you know, it’s second nature, you’re not thinking about it, and you’ll be killin’ it,” Eric said.
“It all goes back to patience.”
Looking back on the journey, from summer help to full-on maintenance, Eric is grateful most of all for the chance to grow.
“The opportunities that CITY has given me. I’ve gone from your average production worker, to washroom engineer, to Soil Side Team Lead, to then being offered a maintenance position and, as previously mentioned, interim maintenance management,” Eric said.
“Not only 20 years of employment, but 20 years of being able to work side by side with family, both literally and metaphorically.”
That family feeling runs both ways. Luis Portillo, Director of Operations, has worked beside Eric for much of his 20 years.
“Eric has been an important part of CITY for the past 20 years, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him for much of that time. His dedication, reliability, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our organization. He takes pride in his work and in the relationships he builds with his coworkers. He consistently goes above and beyond, always willing to help wherever needed while representing CITY in a positive way. Over the years, Eric has become more than just a coworker; he has become a friend. His loyalty, character, and sense of responsibility are qualities I have always respected and appreciated. We are grateful for his 20 years of service and the many contributions he has made to CITY’s success,” Luis shared.
Congratulations, Eric, on 20 years. Thank you for the patience, the problem-solving, and the steady hands that keep CITY running. Here’s to everything still ahead.
Interested in building a career that lasts? Learn more about joining the team