Contestant Close-Up:
Troy Haney, American Auto Glass LLC, Cincinnati
Troy Haney of American Auto Glass LLC in Cincinnati is competing in the Auto Glass Technician Olympics for the second time. Haney took the time out to talk to
AGRR magazine about his preparation for this year’s competition and his outlook on the industry. He is a 10-year industry veteran and co-owns his shop with Steve Brissey. They both began their industry careers with a large national auto glass chain (which Haney wished not to name). He and his wife, Jacqueline, have three children, a daughter, Sydni, 7, and two boys, Zander, 2, and Ryder, 7
months.
Q: Have you done anything in particular to prepare for this year’s
competition?
A: Nothing special, just reviewing some things that stood out from last year. It was my
first.
Q: What would you say is the hardest install you’ve
completed?
A: I can’t say that any one sticks out.
Q: What’s the most fun installation you’ve
completed?
A: I haven’t found one to be more fun than another. They all have their equal challenges. It’s just all in how you approach the
job.
Q: How does your family feel about the competition? Will they
attend?
A: My wife will be accompanying me.
Q: What adhesive will you be using in the competition and
why?
A: We’ve used several adhesives, and OETech seems to be outperforming every one we’ve used so far, as far as durability and bonding services. I haven’t had any warranty issues with using that product. It bonds to glass and mouldings very
well.
Q: What do you think are the industry’s biggest
issues?
A: Certain competitiveness, other companies booking the work, trying to be more customer-service related booking for quantity rather than quality. We try to book based on customer service and
quality.
Q: Do you have any industry heroes?
A: I don’t have any heroes. A kind of mentor that got me started in auto glass was Thomas Patterson—he [now] works for Pilkington North America, flat glass. He was my boss when I started in the industry [at the large un-named auto glass
chain].
Q: Do you keep in touch with him?
A: Yes, on a regular basis, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing him out in
Vegas.
Q: What made you decide to branch out on your
own?
A: We got tired of the propaganda of large business. We try to be more customer-service
oriented.
Q: What do you think about the sale of PPG’s auto glass business? Do you expect it to affect you or your
business?
A: I don’t feel that it’s going to affect our business or our company as much. It might be to our benefit actually. We probably buy 97 percent of our glass through
Pilkington.
Q: What are your hobbies or pastimes?
A: I enjoy playing soccer when I can, I’m involved with some children’s sports and after-school activities and youth groups and we like to sponsor golf
outings.
Q: Are you looking forward to this year’s
competition?
A: Yes, I want to go back, and I’m looking forward to returning, and just enjoying the camaraderie that was there last year and hopefully building that up again this year.
FAST FACTS:
Favorite food? Steak filet
Favorite movie? “We Were Soldiers”
Favorite car? An old 78 CJ5
Favorite sport to watch? Football
Favorite sports team? Dallas Cowboys
One word description of yourself? Thoughtful
AGRR
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