Shop Manager Brian Pettie Retires after 33 Years

Think about reimagining your life after dedicating 33 years to one company. 33 years of driving to the same shop. 33 years surrounded by coworkers who have turned into family. 33 years of mastering skills vital to the success of the company. That is now the reality for Gaines and Company’s Shop Manager Brian Pettie. After 33 years of contributing to the company’s success, Brian Pettie is exploring the next chapter of his life – retirement.

Brian started with Gaines and Company in May of 1990. Over the next 33 years, he proved his skills as a laborer, operator, driver, logistics manager, and shop manager.

“I worked in so many different places while at Gaines. My best memories are from being on the crew and driving,” said Brian.

As part of an underground services crew, Brian worked in ditches, laid pipe, and ran heavy equipment, such as rubber tires, track loaders, wheel loaders, and rollers. After earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), he delivered supplies, tools, and equipment to and from job sites. As the Gaines fleet of trucks grew, Brian moved into managing driver logistics, working directly with supervisors to ensure crews had everything they needed.

“At one point in our careers, Brian and I ran Logistics together. I got to know him well and have always really enjoyed his personality,” said Vice President Myrt Gaines. “He’d always say, ‘I can’t get that done today. No, not today.’ Yet, just about every time, he’d find a way to pull through and get it done. That’s the kind of dedication he had to his work.”

President Lee Gaines added, “He seldom left for the day if work needed to be addressed. If tools or supplies didn’t get delivered to the job sites, he’d deliver them himself on the way to or from work. He was always solving other people’s problems for the good of the company.”

Brian’s dedication to the success of the company was evident, which earned him the promotion to Shop Manager, the role he was in upon his retirement.

“I worked directly with the superintendents and foremen to make sure they had everything they needed – like fittings, joints, and elbows – to do the job. When hand and power tools broke, I fixed those,” said Briain.

“Everyone went to Brian with little issues because they knew he could fix them,” said Myrt. “Since he knew our work so well, he was able to look ahead and know what would be needed to make sure the crews were always prepared.”

“I’ve seen a lot of change over the years, from the growth of Gaines to the kind of tools and equipment we use. It’s interesting stuff,” said Brian, “but it’s the people I’m going to miss the most.”

In his retirement, Brian plans to get a dog, spend time with family, and enjoy relaxing on his property in the mountains of West Virginia.

“This is a well-deserved retirement,” said Myrt, “but he will be missed.”

Lee added, “Brian – and employees like him – are what has made Gaines and Company so successful over the last 68 years. He will certainly be missed.”