HomeWork features AHAM members’ insights into careers, success, life outside of work, and AHAM membership. This month, we spoke with Michael Andrews, Project Test Engineer, Lasko.
How did you come to work in the appliance industry?
I graduated from Penn State University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering. From there, I spent 10 years as a product engineer where I wore many hats, including but not limited to: product design, sales, manufacturing, quality, and compliance. I then joined a former manager in a more focused role in mechanical design and project management, developing high precision currency counting machines. After two years in this role, the company that I was working for was bought out and the site I was working at was permanently closed. In seeking a new role, it was my combined experience in product development, project management, and product compliance that made my current role at Lasko a great fit.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
To never stop learning. I have always valued continual education, and it has been key to allowing me to continue to take on new responsibilities throughout my career.
Outside of the appliance industry, what would be your dream job?
Like most young athletes, I once aspired to be a professional athlete. Soccer was my primary passion. Now, instead, I spend a considerable amount of time volunteering for our local youth travel soccer club – coaching my boys’ teams and helping on the administrative side of the club as well. I find great satisfaction in being a part of an awesome group of people who are committed to providing a fantastic soccer experience to the youth of our community.
What do you enjoy most about being involved with AHAM?
The work that is done through AHAM is very important and impactful to our business. Although we are working with other competing manufacturers, it is very gratifying to work together as an industry to help shape and influence the standards and requirements which we need our products to adhere to. We all want to provide safe and reliable appliances to our customers, and it is amazing how much common ground we find with each other when considering compliance requirements for our products. While it is important to have various interest groups involved in standards development, manufacturers know their products the best and need to have a strong voice in this process. AHAM provides the forum and means to join together as manufacturers to ensure that we can have important discussions regarding the standards and issues that impact us all.
What appliance can you not live without?
I eat a lot of home-cooked meals, so really anything in my kitchen. It’s amazing when you think about it, how much we take our basic appliances such as refrigerators and stoves for granted. I would have to say, however, that my air fryer would be my favorite and most-used kitchen appliance.
