This edition of Counterpart pits a Rafn veteran against a Rafn new (relatively) hire, both with the initials "JL".
John Lindbeck is a Foreman, and Jeremy Lince is an Assistant Superintendent, both working on our Northaven Apartments project in the Northgate neighborhood of Seattle. John is a Rafn “lifer” and Jeremy is on his way. So, who will come out on top in this head-to-head matchup? Read on to find out!
Number of years at Rafn?
John: 31 years.
Jeremy: Just over 1 year.
What is the best thing about construction?
John: It’s never the same. There are standards and rules, but the application is unique each time.
Jeremy: Each day is different; non-repetitive.
Who would win in a game of chess?
John: Jeremy. I don’t play chess.
Jeremy: John would. A game of chess is too long to keep my attention.
Who would play you in a movie?
John: Bruce Willis.
Jeremy: Jerry Seinfeld.
Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
John: Artilleryman in the Marines. It’s not something that everybody gets to do.
Jeremy: Served yogurt at TCBY (because my then girlfriend worked there).
What does the construction industry need more of?
John: A better way to attract young workers who want to build.
Jeremy: Craftspeople who take pride in their work and want to do it the best they can.
Funniest construction story?
John: There was a project where we had to remove a stop sign to do some right-of-way work. The Project Manager told an apprentice to grab a sign, go out to the street, and direct traffic. We all got a good laugh watching him direct traffic while trying to hold up a 9-foot-tall stop sign instead of a hand-held stop paddle.
Jeremy: On one project the Project Manager brought in a $50 printer to use in the job trailer even though we knew it wouldn’t hold up in that dirty environment. Sure enough, after a while it started to really struggle. We took it out, set it on the ground, and recorded a video of it getting run over by a forklift. We sent the video to the Project Manager letting him know the printer “broke” and that we needed another one.
Your favorite food?
John: Ribeye steak.
Jeremy: Thai (especially in Thailand!).
Favorite musician?
John: Jack Harlow for Hip Hop. Chris Stapleton for Country.
Jeremy: Willie Nelson.
Favorite Sport?
John: Football.
Jeremy: Soccer growing up. Skiing and snowboarding now.
One sport you would never try?
John: None. I’ll try anything.
Jeremy: Hobby horse competition.
Talent you wish you had?
John: Play (shred) guitar.
Jeremy: Musical talent.
What is your hidden talent?
John: Doing impressions of people.
Jeremy: I can quickly make a friend out of a perfect stranger.
Last movie you liked so much you watched it twice?
John: Apocalypse Now.
Jeremy: Reservoir Dogs.
Most under-appreciated job on a construction site?
John: Project Engineer.
Jeremy: Foreman. Often asked to stay late. Often asked to skip lunch. Needs multiple skillsets (jack of all trades). Need multiple certifications.
Who was your childhood hero?
John: Tom Jones. “What’s new pussycat? Whoa whoa whoa!”
Jeremy: My Uncle Rick. He taught me how to fish and ski, and he inspired me to skydive and travel.
Which Rafn Brand Promise do you most relate to?
John: “Tenure Sets Us Apart”. I’ve chosen to stay at Rafn all these years for the family environment which is worth more to me than the possibility of a few extra dollars an hour elsewhere.
Jeremy: “Collaborative to the Core”. Collaboration is everything in construction. Taking time for team collaboration is an investment in efficiency, productivity, and success.
Best piece of advice for someone starting out / considering the construction industry?
John: Love what you do. And enjoy doing it.
Jeremy: Look into the trades. There is satisfaction in working with your hands and building something for someone else.