Connor Bauer is EarthLinked Technologies’ newest Operations Manager. Connor is responsible for ensuring that all of EarthLinked’s internal operations and departments are running smoothly.
What is your experience with EarthLinked Technologies?
I started as an intern for EarthLinked. While I finished my industrial engineering degree through the University of South Florida’s educational co-op program, I began working in the manufacturing department of the company with a focus on understanding the processes used to build EarthLinked’s products. Working closely with the president and chief operating officer and learning more about the revolutionary technology sparked my interest in becoming a part of the team by promoting EarthLinked’s mission and its vision for growth. As I developed toward a broader role in managing operations, I have worked on projects ranging from marketing and sales to end-user system design and installation. I’ve been here nearly two years now, and I look forward to many more.
What do you bring to EarthLinked that makes you an asset to the company?
I think I’ve got that young drive that the company needs. It’s a great company and employees generally don’t have a desire to leave it. By bringing in younger interns and employees, we integrate new perspectives and life into the internal operating processes. I’ve loved the position ever since I started and in April, I was hired as a full-time employee.
Working for EarthLinked has given me the confidence to break away from industry norms and think creatively, and that helps move our products forward. I was given the opportunity to lead the development of our new diagnostic tool, which is the first of its kind in the industry. The goal of this new cloud-monitoring technology is to offer a straightforward solution to technicians, reducing the amount of time in the field and offering a level of hands-on customer service unmatched by any competitor. The data from this technology will let our dealers immediately distinguish the source of a problem and allow them to deliver preventive maintenance instead of costly repairs.
What are your expectations for EarthLinked’s future growth as a renewable energy systems provider in the heating and cooling industry?
We’ve had a great product available for years. By entering more traditional HVAC markets instead of just trying to cannibalize the geothermal market, EarthLinked will move away from being seen as a niche-focused company to more of an industry standard. Our technology is unique, and that’s what makes it better.
What do you like best about working for EarthLinked?
My favorite thing about my job is that I get to work in an industry that I love. With my background in industrial engineering, I didn’t think that I would be able to get into the HVAC industry, but now that I’ve got my foot in the door I don’t plan on leaving. EarthLinked fosters a creative environment perfect for innovation and inspiration.
I’m learning a lot, and trying to see how fast I can grow both personally and professionally. I work with a lot of different people – just about every project that I’m on is cross-functional. I’ve taken on the role of a liaison between departments, and communication in the company is stronger because of that. There are a lot of great mentors and connections at EarthLinked. I couldn’t have picked a better career path.
