35 Years at PJ - Al Koberstein

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Last Month Al Koberstein hit his 35 year anniversary with PJ. In true PJ fashion, we celebrated with a Shrimp & Crab Boil at our Sun Prairie office! Thank you Al, for your dedication and hardwork over the last 35 years.

A few words from Mike Herms

Al Koberstein started his Palmer Johnson career in May of 1984 and came to PJ with a very strong agricultural background having farmed (which he still does), and having worked for Schwarz Implement (an International Harvester dealer). He had also done maintenance work at Devils Head resort. Al started his PJ career driving route truck to Twin Disc and the PJ Itasca branch, pulling parts and working in the Madison area shop as a service tech.

With his strong work ethic and desire to learn Al caught on quickly and soon was one of the led service techs in PJ rebuilding power shift transmissions, torque converters, and marine gears. Over the years Al has mastered any challenges that have come his way. Ranging from a three week service call to the Congo in Africa, to the many helicopter rides on the fourth of July out in the Gulf of Mexico, and countless others service calls all over the US and Canada.

In the 35 plus years Al has worked on anything to come through the doors, but large power shift transmissions and marine gears have always been his forte. In 2014 Al became PJ's first full time tech support person fielding calls from both outside customers and PJ service techs. He also offered one on one help with the Sun Prairie techs on the floor. With an increase of 8500 frac rig packages flowing through Sun Prairie, Al has once again stepped up and taken a led role in the rebuilding and testing of the 8500 packages. With an always backed up work load in Sun Prairie, Al is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the customers repairs back out the door, except for Thursday mornings...during bowling season! It has been quite a 35 year ride, cannot wait to see what the next five... or ten years has in store for ole Sledge!

Congratulations Al!!!

A little about Al

What is your favorite part about working at PJ?

I get to work on something different everyday, each day presents a new challenge and keeps things interesting.

What 3 words would you use to describe PJ?

• Caring
• Loyalty
• Opportunity

What is your favorite PJ perk?

The flexibility PJ offers, from getting to work on what I enjoy working on to flexing my time so I can still farm.

What advice would you give to any new PJ hires?

There is a lot to learn, so pay attention and give yourself time to learn while still doing your job.