Employee Spotlight – Barb Oswald

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 Barb Oswald.

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

B: My role at Mahoney, is Trap Routing Administrative Assistant/Supervisor. I have been with the company for 16 years going on 17. I was hired in as a customer service rep.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

B: It’s a man’s world in the trap and plumbing dept. So when explaining how things work with the plumbing and grease trap, when there is an issue at a location, not everyone wants to hear what I am needing to explain, due to the fact that I am a woman. If you don’t sound confident in what your explaining to them, they will talk circles around you.

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

B: My career and family go hand in hand. My kids know what my job is all about & how important it is & what it means to work hard each day. My kids are my world and at times can be challenging seeing how I’m outnumbered 4 to 1! We spend good quality time together.

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

B: To add a couple more drivers and trucks, so we can accommodate the needs of our customer’s better.

What is your favorite aspect of your job?

B: I have the best team to work with, so having the ability to be surrounded by them and work alongside of them is special.

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

B: I wouldn’t trade places with anyone, I love my team, I love the interaction & relationships I have built over the years with my customers. I couldn’t imagine working in any other department. Although it would be nice to have a little more knowledge about other departmentss. This company has changed so much over the years,  trying to keep up on all the new equipment & processes is something I would like to know. 

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

B: I have always been drawn to this place and it started with my Dad being a Mahoney driver for 27 years. Ever since I was a little girl, this is the only place I’ve known. It’s hard to explain, but, this is where I have always wanted to be. I still look for the Mahoney trucks on the highway as I did when I was a kid. I look for our stops that we service when driving down the road. It’s a feeling that you can’t put on paper. Being around this my entire life just to see how much this company has grown throughout the years is unbelievable! From a couple of trucks, to a handful of employees running the office, to 3×5 index cards to route your customers. Seeing the different generations come and go throughout the years has been pretty special.

Share your proudest moment since coming on board at Mahoney?

B: Being nominated and winning Employee of the Year, not once, but twice (2012 & 2019).

What are three words you’d use to describe Mahoney Environmental?

B: Only one word for me and that’s FAMILY 

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

B: Being part of the planning committee team years ago when we planned the Mahoney picnic.

Miscellaneous Questions (non-job related)

Do you have a favorite or inspirational quote to share?

B: Don’t be a woman that needs a man…be a woman a man needs!

 What were you like in high school?

B: Very quiet, too quiet. Not at all outspoken like I am today.

If you could change careers right now, what would you choose?

B: I love cooking so if I could change careers right now, it’s to become a chef.

If you could interview one person in the world (dead or alive), who would it be, and why?

B: Just to hear his voice again, I would interview Ron Oswald.

What was the last book that you read?

B:  Hop on Top (children’s book). I was helping my daughter with her reading!

What are you currently watching on Netflix?

B: Nothing, I don’t have Netflix

What was the best concert you ever attended?

B: John Cougar Mellencamp, my dad took all his girls there and we had such a great time.

People would be surprised if they knew what about you or what’s your secret talent that no one knows about?

B: I can read people very well!  

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

B: Immortality…I love my children and family and to know that one day I won’t be in their lives, is unthinkable. I hate death and I’m so very much afraid of it.

Do you have an office nickname? What is it?

B: I have a few…Barbie-Que, Bar-Ba-Raaa Cougs, Rose & HBIC

Three words that best describe you?

B: Authentic, great sense of humor & very loyal to all

Thank you, Barb! 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”.