Employee Spotlight – Ricardo Cisneros

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight

Welcome to another edition of the Mahoney ‘Employee Spotlight’!  This spotlight is our way to reflect on and draw positive attention to the most important assets of Mahoney – its employees! A functioning business cannot function without a solid team in place, and we are extra proud of that team.  Every couple of weeks, an employee will be nominated and featured.  Next up is Ricardo Cisneros.

What is your role at the company? How long have you been with Mahoney and what position did you start at?

R:  I started as a Yard Laborer, then about after a year I got my CDL Permit.  I was then given the opportunity to become a Trap Driver and did that for about 5 years.  After deciding to go back to school, I was given the opportunity to become the Central Logistics Manager. I was then offered to become the Senior Operations Manager for our Joliet location, for which I have been doing for about 4 years now.

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Mahoney, whose job would you want?

R:   I enjoy what I do and the people I work with. I could not see myself in another career within the organization, but I would do it if I needed to.

What do you like most about Mahoney?

R: Being able to see the organization grow over the years has been a wonderful experience.  Adapting to change is always difficult and understanding that we must grow as well. Seeing my team members throughout the organization adapt with the times has been awesome to see first hand. I’ve seen fuelers, yard laborers, helpers etc. grow into drivers, managers, or move on to bigger better things. Mahoney has provided the opportunity for their employees to grow.

How do you balance your career at Mahoney with family life?

R: Working in Operations is a full time job and having an operation the size of Joliet, is no easy task to say the least. We run 24 hours a day, 6 days a week and I am on call every bit of that time. This job is not for those that only want to work Monday through Friday and leave work at work. Being a leader for everyone on my team means being available at all times for them. Of course, having good coverage while on vacation does help, but understanding that they may contact me in case of an emergency is a given.  My family understands that and I manage fairly well between the two.

What is on your wish list for the next five years at ME?

R: We’ve outgrown our fleet and driver hub here in Joliet.  Moving to a bigger facility where we have room to continue growing and fit every single one of our employees that includes space for everyone to share and meet.

What has been your favorite project that you worked on here at Mahoney?

R: Acquisitions and startups; when we take on new business and implement our culture and principles into another organization.  I had the opportunity to visit our Philadelphia operations shortly after we acquired WOR. No one knew me or what my intentions were.  I made a lot of new friends and helped them understand our culture at Mahoney, and not see us as this big takeover as they kept telling me.

What drew you to Mahoney when you initially started and how has the company changed since then?

R:  My dad used to be a Bulk Driver at Mahoney and Reyes Sanchez was our neighbor at the time.

Before working at Mahoney, what was the most interesting or unusual job you had?

R: I used to be a carver at Old Country Buffet. I would wear a chef’s hat and serve customers the meat of the day.

Share your proudest moment since coming on board at Mahoney?

R: There have been plenty of times. Seeing helpers, fuelers, and yard employees receive their CDL has been one of the best. Opening the doors to employees who thought they were not capable of and their reaction to it.

Do you have a favorite or inspirational quote to share?

R: You can’t always have a good day. But you can face a bad day with a good attitude.

Thank you, Ricardo! We appreciate your contribution to this interview AND especially to all you do for Mahoney Environmental!

Do you, or do you know someone, that would like to work for Mahoney?  Click here to view the available positions.

Would you like to nominate someone? Submit your nomination by emailing [email protected]. Please title the email “Employee Spotlight Nomination”.