Industry Person of the Week – Manuel Lombardero

It’s so great seeing peers nominate each other to shine a light on the great work being done! Today’s Industry Person of the Week is Manuel Lombardero CMRP, PMP, CAMA, CMRT, Maintenance Manager at The AES Corporation. Here is what he had to share!

Q. How did you get started working in your field?

Manuel: Well, I had graduated high school and needed a job. Given my limited skill set at the time, it was either go work at a fast food restaurant or join the Military. So I ended up joining the US Navy where I received a great technical education and plenty of hands-on experience. After 4 years of service, I went to work in the power industry where I continued applying and developing my technical skills. In parallel, I used my college fund to further my education, which helped me to eventually move into management.

Q. What do you love the most about your job? What are you most proud of?

Manuel: I am a troubleshooter to the bone. I love solving technical problems and enjoy finding and applying innovative solutions to them. I also love being part of a team of dedicated people who work together to achieve things none of us could do on our own. I am proud of my military service because people keep reminding me I should be. It`s been a long time since I served, but people still thank me for it on a regular basis. It makes me very proud. I am also proud to be able to give back to the younger generations that are getting started in this field; through advice, mentoring, and training.

Q. What advice would you give to someone considering this line of work or new to the field?

Manuel: You will develop many friendships along the way; cherish them and maintain them. The network of people you meet is just as important as the technical knowledge you will acquire. Also, don`t limit yourself to the workplace. Get involved in the industry through publications, seminars, and actively participating in professional organizations in your field. The larger your network is, the more opportunities you will have.

Q. Can you talk about a project you recently worked on?

I co-lead the commissioning team that delivered on-time and on-budget completion of the largest power plant in Central America and the first LNG import terminal. It was a true example of project teamwork in order to achieve a smooth transition from construction to operations. We continue doing our best efforts to make the facilities better everyday, now through continuous improvement programs and projects.

Q. Anything else you would like to add?

Manuel: I am a firm believer that we have a duty to give back and help others. We are the product of the help we received from the people we encountered along the way. Don`t forget to lend a friendly hand to those that need it.