Mike Lacy
Name: Michael Lacey
Position: Field Service Supervisor
Years with the company: 2
1) What was your childhood like?
My childhood was somewhat typical. I’m the son of a Preacher, so we didn’t have much money. My days consisted of front yard football with the neighborhood kids, bike riding, and church activities.
2) Who was a hero to you growing up? Why?
Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swan. I grew up in the 70’s; they were everybody’s hero back then LOL!
3) What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are playing guitar, golf, and bowling.
4) How did you end up in metrology?
1000% Luck! I was a Restaurant Manager at Big Boy and had an opportunity to get into the tooling trade through a friend of the family, definitely not based on my abilities because I had 0! I tend to be a pretty laid back and easy person to get along with, and, fortunately for me, I ended up getting along with the right people at the right time! Jon Terry, who currently still has a Metrology company, offered me a spot on his team. I think he hired me as a mascot because again I had zero clue about tooling and especially metrology. Heck, I didn’t even know that word existed! I knew I was given an opportunity, and I was not going take it lightly. With everything in my being, I was going to prove to myself that I could be a success in the Metrology world! Today, after nearly 30 years, I am still trying to prove to myself every day that I can be a success in the Metrology world. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn’t change it for the world!
5) How did you come to be at API?
I came to API by default really. The company I was working for was acquired by API, and I am extremely happy for that!
6) What are your roles and responsibilities with API?
Saying yes and supplying the manpower to honor the yes. I am the field service supervisor here at API Services Detroit, and in that role, I am responsible for making sure that we have the proper equipment and people to do any job we take on. I do not like saying no to any customer, because a no from me is an opportunity for someone else to get the yes, but the industry saying “any body is better than no body” isn’t always the best approach. A lot of what we do on the service side of things boils down to relationships. Establishing good relationships requires matching the right person for the job, so making sure that personalities between service techs and customers are the right fit is key. Knowing our techs and understanding our direct customers is a key role in what I do for us in the Detroit area.
7) What sets API apart from other metrology companies in your mind?
Products, Services, and Talent. I like to think of us as a “1 stop shop.” When you can go to a customer and present them with the fact that we can help them from certifying tools with services, training with the talented team members, to supplying them with a wide range of quality products at affordable prices speaks volumes to who we are here at API.
8) What API Product or Service are you most excited to tell people about?
I love our Radian Core and Plus! With the industry being so cost driven, it really boils down to time and money. With the freedom and portability of Core and Plus, I can really speak to our customers about saving time and money on many of the features, like being wireless, battery-operated, quick warm-up times, camera features, light weight design, and stability, which are all things that factor into saving time and money!
9) What about API’s future excites you?
Innovation through collaboration! When you look at the portfolio and see how marketing, sales, services, products, and machine tool calibration all take an interest in what the other teams are doing, it helps develop a bond and it is that collaborative effort across our portfolios that helps drive innovation, and it’s that innovation that drives the future!
10) What does “Nothing Beyond Measure” mean to you?
One of the very first things that happened to me when I was born was my height and weight were measured. Me being able to go to high school was measured on how I well did in elementary school. Going to collage was measured on how well I did in high school. Being a Metrologist was measured on how well I did in training and how well I do now, and in the end, my life will be measured on what I did here on this earth. So, for me, from womb to tomb there is truly “Nothing Beyond Measure!”
