Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast! In this episode, we chat with Erin Miller, the assistant equipment manager at TPC Piper Glen. Erin's father was her mentor, nurturing her love for equipment from a young age. Join us as Erin shares her journey, insights, and passion for our industry. Discover the world of golf course equipment maintenance and the passion that keeps our greens pristine. Tune in now for an engaging conversation on the Reel Turf Techs Podcast.
Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast! In this episode, we chat with Erin Miller, the assistant equipment manager at TPC Piper Glen. Erin's father was her mentor, nurturing her love for equipment from a young age. Join us as Erin shares her journey, insights, and passion for our industry. Discover the world of golf course equipment maintenance and the passion that keeps our greens pristine. Tune in now for an engaging conversation on the Reel Turf Techs Podcast.
welcome to the reel turf techs podcast for the technician that wants to get reel follow along. As we talk to industry professionals and address hot topics that we all face along the way we'll learn tips and tricks. I'm your host, Trent. Manning let's have some this episode are real turf techs on golf course industries Superintendent radio network is presented by Foley county a strong supporter of equipment technicians and golf course maintenance departments everywhere Foley county offers a proven solution for above and below the turf for turf professionals To learn more about Foley company's line of real grinders bed knife grinders and the air to G2 family of products or to find a distributor visit www dot Foley C o.com Foley Ready for play Welcome to the real turf text podcast, episode 97. Today, we're talking to Aaron Miller assistant. Equipment manager at TPC popper, Glen and Charlotte, North Carolina. TPC Piper, Glen, as a private 18 hole club. Aaron is the assistant technician in the shop. And she's got a really good mentor there. And I hope you enjoy. Her story. Let's talk to Aaron. welcome Aaron to the Real Turf Tech podcast. How you doing today?
Erin Miller:I'm doing all right. How are you?
Trent Manning:I'm doing great. Thank you so much for being on. We're gonna have a blast.
Erin Miller:Yes, sir.
Trent Manning:I said every time. Uh, just so all the listeners really know, I really wanna drive this home about how much fun we have doing the interview, and then the rest of the part, not so much fun, but this part's really fun. Tell us how you got into the turf industry.
Erin Miller:So actually I applied for the tennis, uh, part of the club. I seen an ad on a website and applied and cuz mainly because of the landscaping. I was in landscaping before. So that's kind of what attracted me to the tennis part. I've never done the tennis. Stuff. So it was my first time, but I'm a quick learner, so I said, Hey, I can do it, if you show it, I, I can do it. So I started doing things around there. I got, more into like, the, like showing him I can do the irrigation and stuff like that. And Steffy kind of saw like he's the superintendent at TPC Pepper Glen. And he kind of saw what I could do and he said, Hey, I need somebody to do the landscaping at the clubhouse and. At first I was like, nah, and then finally, I, I kind of gave in and, did that for a little while, for a couple years, and that's kind of how I got brought over towards, that side.
Trent Manning:Okay, so he was just, uh, cruising the tennis courts and saw you out there busting your butt and said, Hey, we need somebody up at the clubhouse.
Erin Miller:Yeah, because right. The, where the court pass are and stuff, he would pass by there all the time and he just kinda, He wasn't quite getting the calls I think that he used to get, for certain issues or something, so he just kinda, He came over and talked to me a couple times and, saw, I kind of knew, certain things and I think he just thought I would be a good fit.
Trent Manning:Awesome. That's so good. Well, yeah. How did you. Wedge your way into the shop and start turning wrenches.
Erin Miller:Okay. So honestly what I once, like, what I've always wanted to do was, mechanical type work. My dad, he was a mechanic. So, and I just love working, with my hands fixing things just, making improvements. I, that's what I loved about the landscaping, but that still wasn't quite, where my heart was. So I was actually. Thinking about leaving Piper Glen to kind of go pursue that. And I talked to his step and, he knew I, I had knowledge, in, certain areas and he knew I was pretty good with my hands. And, I've done all sorts of different things. Roofing just, I mean everything. So he gave me a shot. He said, he knew that's what I wanted to do. I told him and he said, Hey, well, We'll get you where you wanna be and that's where we're heading.
Trent Manning:That's awesome. Oh, that stuff's so good. I love it. That's a great story. So were they looking for an assistant mechanic or did they kind of just help you out in that position?
Erin Miller:I, I think they kinda were they were definitely thinking about it for our head mechanic. Uh, James Penny, he's been there a while and I think, he just, They both, I don't know. It, it's, it's hard for me to explain cuz it's, it's more like a family type deal, you know what I mean? And, and we just all kind of grew cuz I mean I've been there going on eight years or, eight and a half years now. So we all kinda got to get to really know each other and. James knew I was interested. I would always, anytime I would be around there at, the shop, I would go in there and bug James, what are you doing? What you working on? So I think, I just kind of weezled my way in. I kind of worked it in like, but I think it, it kinda actually worked out, eventually cuz you know, our mechanic actually got hurt and I kind of had to step up in that, that moment and. It, it worked out. I, I think for the time it worked out pretty good considering the situation, you
Trent Manning:Right, right, right. Yeah. No, that's awesome though. That's so good. And yeah, you had the desire and. You got there. So what, what's, what's step two for Aaron?
Erin Miller:Oh uh, definitely, getting the certifications and, and I mean, I, I like where I'm at, I'm not saying I would never, leave, but I mean this is kind of my home course you would say. And, and I mean, I think eventually just kind of taking over, in that position of, of head mechanic over at Piper Glen, I'm hoping,
Trent Manning:Okay. Yeah.
Erin Miller:that's kinda my goals.
Trent Manning:That's awesome though. That's, I mean, that's good stuff. Yeah. And if you found a place that you really like and it has a good culture and you like who you work for, you like the people you work with, Mean, why move? And, and there's a lot of people out there. I've seen it, I'm obviously a lot older than you and, but I've seen it a, a lot. People just chasing a dollar and going over here for 50 more cents. And there, there's a lot, lot more to it than chasing money around, in
Erin Miller:Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And I mean, when you have the right place, when you work for the right place and they, you earn that respect by working there. They see what type of worker you are and everything else. If. If there's moments where you, need a day off because of something, and, and they work with you, and that's that extra bit that when you go and chase a dollar, you're not necessarily gonna get over there. And that's what people don't understand. When you get a place like that and find a place like that, you need to not take it for granted. Because that's where you can really grow and learn a lot in that, spot, in that position,
Trent Manning:no, that's great advice. I love it. What is your least favorite part of the job and why is it sand?
Erin Miller:Well, of course, having to grind all the time, you wanna keep things sharp and, it's, it's hard to do that with all that sand, but I mean, it's definitely necessary and I hate it and like it all at the same time. It's kind of weird because I do like grinding. I do like, Just making sure that next thing is, the more you do it, the more you perfect it. And I mean, that's the way I look at it, so I'm gonna be really good at it, eventually I'm gonna
Trent Manning:Oh yeah.
Erin Miller:really great.
Trent Manning:Yeah. Plenty of practice to be had for sure.
Erin Miller:Exactly.
Trent Manning:Yeah. All the, all the time. Uh, whether you need it or not, whether you need the practice or not, you're gonna get it.
Erin Miller:Yes sir.
Trent Manning:What's your favorite tool?
Erin Miller:I would have to say it's my X beam extra large or extra long 16 millimeter wrench. I do it. I think it's, and sometimes, and I mean, you use it a lot.
Trent Manning:Oh yeah. Do you, so you primarily Toro equipment?
Erin Miller:Exactly. Yeah. We've moved a lot of things, we still have, Gators and things like that, John Deere. But like all of our mowers, mostly, actually all of our mowers are Toro.
Trent Manning:Okay.
Erin Miller:Yeah.
Trent Manning:Did you know Eric Duncanson?
Erin Miller:No, I, I, I don't.
Trent Manning:But you heard of him
Erin Miller:Yes.
Trent Manning:probably, I'm sure. Yeah. He's the one that actually turned me on to the 16 millimeter. X Beam. Yeah. For, yeah. And it was such a good idea. And I did a tips and tricks presentation and I had it in that presentation for several years cuz I thought it was such a great idea cuz it really saved your hands, tightening those
Erin Miller:Oh yeah. Yeah. And when. I mean, sometimes, when you have an extra long one, you get it in those tight places, but however, like when you have it off and you're just freshly grinding and things like that, I mean, it's, it's just having that extra long is just really good to have that extra little bit of, length on you.
Trent Manning:Yep. A little bit of extra leverage.
Erin Miller:Yep.
Trent Manning:What do you do to relax or find your balance?
Erin Miller:Honestly I like, I started actually playing tennis here recently, but, uh, you
Trent Manning:We won't tell anybody
Erin Miller:yeah, don't tell nobody.
Trent Manning:all good.
Erin Miller:I mean, just, I like projects, so it, to me that's actually relaxing. Just piddling with it, different things. So when I come home, if I decide I just completely wanna redo something or just, I go look at a tree and I'm like, I don't like that one. There. Let's, let's just move that, it's just things just, I like to do everything. So, or, looking at the lake or, going fishing, things like that. I do enjoy things like that. So all of that, to me is pretty relaxing.
Trent Manning:You might be the first guest I've had that said piddling
Erin Miller:Yeah.
Trent Manning:and Yes, and I love it because I grew up piddling. We piddled a lot.
Erin Miller:that
Trent Manning:piddled a lot. Yeah. That's awesome. That's good stuff. yeah, if you're not in the south, maybe you've never heard that before. I don't know. uh,
Erin Miller:fiddling.
Trent Manning:yes, a lot of tinkering. I'll tell a, a quick story. So my grandfather, he was actually a brick mason for most of his life, and when he retired, he started buying the old school Snapper Lawnmowers. And he would buy, 10 of'em and make five or whatever and just robbing all these parts and stuff. But it was sad. He was I literate, so he didn't know how to read or write and he couldn't even sign his name. He put an X on the paper. But he grew up with 17 siblings.
Erin Miller:Wow.
Trent Manning:So, yeah, and it, it was ru rough times back
Erin Miller:Oh yeah,
Trent Manning:But anyway, he used to make me laugh so much because he was really smart, even though he couldn't read or write, he understood how things worked and, but he didn't know what anything was called. So everything was a hickey. And he said, this hickey goes to that hickey that connects to this hickey and that hickey does that. And I'm like, okay.
Erin Miller:Hey, after a while, you know exactly what hickeys he's talking
Trent Manning:Yes, yes, that's right. Yeah, I, I had to get up to speed with all the hickeys. And then another quick story. I don't remember how old I was, but he talked me into, uh, putting brakes on this old car he had. And I'm like, okay. And he said, the cackler is hanging up on it. And I'm like, what is the cler? And it was a caliper is what he had, was what he was talking about. But I had no idea what, what a cackler was,
Erin Miller:he was close. He was close.
Trent Manning:was close. But fun times. What has been one of your biggest challenges to date?
Erin Miller:I think, honestly these interviews have been kind of challenging for me, uh, just, just because I'm not, I'm not used to, being on different things like that. I, I'm used to kind of doing my own thing, so I mean, that's kinda, it's been a change for me, going to the US women's Open. I had never done anything like that, before. And that was, it wasn't challenging, but it, it wasn't a sense because like I said, when you, when you don't go and it do things like that, it's, it's a new experience for sure.
Trent Manning:Yeah, it gets you outta your comfort zone,
Erin Miller:Oh yeah. So that's, I've, I've very much been pushed outta mine,
Trent Manning:yeah. But so what's your experience been like getting out of your comfort zone?
Erin Miller:Oh, it's been fantastic. I mean, it's just, that's what I'm saying. Uh, and I say ev like pretty much every day. I, I love my job. I absolutely love my job. I couldn't see myself doing anything else. I love all the experiences that have came with it. You meet different people and, and you see different things and. But you have those solid people, that, that are kind of the OGs so to speak, so I don't know. It's just been, to me, it's been a blessing cuz, I mean, I love nature. I love just the whole, the whole thing of it, man. When it, when a green grass gets green, I mean, there's nothing like that. There's nothing like it.
Trent Manning:How do you feel about watching the sunrise in the morning?
Erin Miller:Oh gosh. I absolutely love that. I've gotten some pretty good pictures.
Trent Manning:Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure. Yep. We all have. And it's one of those things that you take for granted or you could take for granted, and a lot of people do take for granted. But that's definitely one of my most favorite times of being on the course. First thing in the morning when the suns are going up. Coming up, and then when the sun goes down in the evening.
Erin Miller:Oh yeah.
Trent Manning:Some of the, the best times on, on the golf course for sure. Riding around. Just so beautiful. What's the strangest thing you've seen at work?
Erin Miller:Oh. Uh, gosh, I don't know. I've seen a lot of different things there, but I've seen. not really the strangest thing, but you know, I've seen, A cart being flipped over. I've seen, people go through a fence. To me that's kind of strange just cuz it's like, man, how'd that happen? Like,
Trent Manning:Yeah, don't happen every day.
Erin Miller:yeah. But I think it's not strange, but, uh, very awesome. I'll say that. We have eagles at our golf course. So, to see those eagles and to see the new babies getting born and how, watching'em kind of grow. That is really awesome.
Trent Manning:That is
Erin Miller:mean, we have a lot of more awesome than strange. I mean, we've had a situation, we, we've had to get a deer out of a fence before, I've never seen a deer in a fence before I've been there. So, I mean, things like that is, is kinda, it's cool though. I mean, it's an experience, like I said.
Trent Manning:Super cool. So two bald eagles.
Erin Miller:Yeah, well, I don't know how many we have now. Now they did have a baby and I can't remember like if it's still there or not, but I mean, we definitely, we have a big old nest on 18 and right there by the driving range and all that, so it's, it's really cool. We have a lot of people come out and take pictures of'em and. It's, it's awesome to watch'em though, coming down and, and landing and being near a bunker or bunker or something and you're like, man, look at that eagle. It's so cool. Like, it's, it's insane.
Trent Manning:One of the colleges here in North Georgia, they had a Eagle Nest on their campus and they set a camera up. And they had babies and you could watch the whole thing. They were streaming it online several years ago, but it was so cool
Erin Miller:Yeah.
Trent Manning:and it really became a thing down here where people were talking about it on social media and stuff. Everybody checking the, the webcam and seeing what's going on with the eagles that day and what, what kind of food they're bringing their babies. And I mean, just all kind of really cool stuff. Do you have a mentor in the industry?
Erin Miller:James Penny for sure. He's just been a huge inspiration and, I've learned a lot of things from James. He's, he's very old school. He, he's old school like my dad, so, I mean, I guess that's why so, so much. We get along and, and I just can really relate, to how he talks about things and how he does things. And I just, I love that that old school, like, just take on things and, and you come up with some crazy stuff when you, when you. When you don't have like, you know what you need, it's like you're gonna make it happen. They kind of got all of those little tricks and trades.
Trent Manning:Right. I was very fortunate to work with a gentleman like that, uh, when I first started out at the golf course in the shop. And that was definitely the mentality is we're gonna get this going no matter what it took. And Yeah. you might, I seen him one time. Uh, we welded a pulley on alternator. Because it had broke off and then later the alternator went out probably cuz we were welded on the shaft. But and I took it to the alternator guy that we used forever, like 25, 30 years. And he was like, why did y'all weld this pulley on air? He is like, we're in a hurry. We needed it. Had to go. But you know, it got us out of a pinch too.
Erin Miller:That's right.
Trent Manning:What would be your dream job or opportunity? It kind of sounds like you're already living it here.
Erin Miller:Oh yeah, I mean, honestly just, I just wanna continue to get better and better and better. I mean, you, to me, uh, there's no perfect, you just continue to strive to just do better, cuz there it can always get better. It can always be that, just that tiny bit better and that's what I, I kind of strive for. That's what I go for. And. That's what excites me and keeps me motivated.
Trent Manning:I can definitely, uh, see your passion for this industry and no, that's awesome. It's so, so good. I love it and I hope this episode gives a bunch of these old crotchety guys some inspiration. And
Erin Miller:too.
Trent Manning:And Ma, and maybe they'll remember when they used to be as passionate as you were.
Erin Miller:Right, and I mean, I understand you get wore down. I'm, I know I'm gonna be just like him when I get, a little bit and, get more into it. But I mean, there's just, I feel like I'm always just, I'm always gonna enjoy it. I'm not. I'll get, my back might get a little tired or my knees might hurt, but I mean, I'm still gonna enjoy just like my daddy. I mean, even, even today, he's, he's gotta go tinker, he's gotta go mess. He just, he is gotta do something.
Trent Manning:That's right. I love it. What technician would you like to work with for a day?
Erin Miller:you,
Trent Manning:And I already told you, you can't say Kayla, KIPP.
Erin Miller:but I'll tell you. I'll tell you why. Okay. Uh, it just would be awesome. I haven't, I've gotten to, to, see her in person. I've gotten to work kind of beside her in a sense of, at the women's open. But to go to her shop one day and just, watch her do her thing and, and, and, get some of her tips and her, some of her tricks or, just, I think that would just be so cool.
Trent Manning:Oh, yeah. No, and I would encourage you any way you can. Do it. And I know she would love to have you up there and especially in the off season or or whatever when you both, when you can get away from your, your own gig for a little while, do it. And. I've been so fortunate to, travel around in these last few years and see a bunch of different shops and it doesn't matter whose shop you walk in, you can learn something, see how they're doing things. But Kayla, she's got a special part in my heart. I know I call her my t sister, uh, I lo I love her very much and, uh, she's a really good person and I don't, she's just great.
Erin Miller:Yes, she is. Yes, she is.
Trent Manning:I would, highly encourage that. That would be good.
Erin Miller:May maybe we'll do a little, uh, video of it.
Trent Manning:Oh yeah, for sure.
Erin Miller:That'd
Trent Manning:Yeah, for sure. Well, speaking of videos, didn't y'all have a little video?
Erin Miller:yeah,
Trent Manning:already?
Erin Miller:we did.
Trent Manning:hear about that.
Erin Miller:Yeah. That was on the women's turf. They've had a podcast or a, well, a little episode, going on and about the women's US Open and, they just showed different aspects, what we've done and, and different parts. And they had a mechanic part in there and
Trent Manning:That's
Erin Miller:that was really cool. That was kind of, a lot of, that was some of the first day of, of being there. And it was, it was just a, it was a great opportunity. It was awesome.
Trent Manning:And was that your first one at Pine
Erin Miller:Yeah. Yeah, it was my first one and, and it was just, it was really cool to watch even, the mechanic there. He, the, the guy that was actually working at, he had took over for, I think it was, uh, a different mechanic that had gotten injured as well. So, uh, Dwayne yeah, so he was really awesome. It was awesome to get to meet him and just, It that it was just such a good experience,
Trent Manning:are you going? You going this year?
Erin Miller:I don't know. I, I, I don't know. I, I would love to, I, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to get into it this year,
Trent Manning:Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Erin Miller:see. We'll see how it goes.
Trent Manning:All right. Awesome. What do you know now? You wish you'd known on day one.
Erin Miller:Probably to come over to the mechanics side a lot quicker, really just, just walk up the step and be like, Hey, I need this. This is what I wanna do.
Trent Manning:Yeah.
Erin Miller:I mean, that would be cool, but I mean, just, I mean, honestly, that would have to be it. Cause I mean, Other than that, I, I mean, I think it, every step has been for reasons, so,
Trent Manning:Mm-hmm. Yeah, you're headed in the, in the right direction.
Erin Miller:yes, sir. Oh, yeah, no, sir.
Trent Manning:Oh, it's all good. It's all good. I'm, I'm, I'm old. I might be that old crotchety guy here in another year or two.
Erin Miller:Aw, nah, you got, you got at least 10 more in
Trent Manning:Oh, well thanks. That's good. At least 10 more. I hope so. I don't, the government says I could work. Uh, 30 more. So
Erin Miller:Oh, hey,
Trent Manning:we'll, we'll
Erin Miller:do that
Trent Manning:Hopefully I got at least 10 in me. Uh, how do you deal with that person on your crew in a positive way?
Erin Miller:I mean, honestly, For me, and what I, I, I hope that has worked for me is, is just, really expressing why, like, the importance without doing it in a mean way. Ex expressing the importance, importance of their safety or the safety of others. Not necessarily, uh, getting onto them, but just more of a. Uh, trying to, to relate in a sense to them that's, for me that's, like I said, I try to do, it doesn't necessarily mean I always come off right? Because, everybody, we're human. We, we do our best. And in some situations, and some, sometimes it's really difficult. It can be so hard.
Trent Manning:Oh yeah, for sure.
Erin Miller:in that, in that moment, maybe you just walk away, take a minute, and then address the situation. Maybe when you're a little bit more chill,
Trent Manning:That's, I think excellent advice and I mean, that's something I've, I've learned recently. Just take a breath,
Erin Miller:right?
Trent Manning:take a deep breath and yeah, if you need to go for a walk, go for a walk.
Erin Miller:That's right.
Trent Manning:You know what? Whatever you gotta do, and don't say, uh, I really struggle with this. Don't say the first thing I think about saying.
Erin Miller:That's right. Very important. Do not do that.
Trent Manning:Yeah, yeah. I'm, I'm usually say now, I think later.
Erin Miller:That's right.
Trent Manning:Yeah.
Get ready for tips and tricks.
Trent Manning:What kinda tips and tricks you got, you wanna share with us or things you've learned over the years?
Erin Miller:Well, I, I mean, I've honestly, I've learned a lot. I've. Learned, honestly, I used to have, and this is so stupid, but I used to have the worst trouble with stupid coter keys, coter pins. I had the worst trouble with that. And, uh, James actually, showed me the best technique to use, which is, using the, the little cutter pliers and. Honestly, those are the best way to use it. I mean, it gets it out a heck of a lot quicker. I was over there just struggling and he, he would just watch me and then he'd come over there and he'd say, you want me to show you how to do that easier? Let me show you
Trent Manning:Yeah. Yeah. I love it.
Erin Miller:like big, you that a long time ago,
Trent Manning:Uhhuh.
Erin Miller:But I mean, that to me, I mean, it's just little things like that, just things that you, you wouldn't necessarily think of. Heating certain things up, just really putting some flame to it. Sometimes that'll really do the trick.
Trent Manning:Oh yeah. Yep, for sure. Yeah, I mean, there's just so many, tips and tricks out there, and I try, as I go through the day or whatever and I'm doing a certain task, Just like you're saying, remove the, the Carter pin. Like where did I learn this? Where did I learn to use a pair of pliers? And obviously I was fortunate enough to work with a guy that was very talented and he taught me a, a bunch of tricks,
Erin Miller:Oh
Trent Manning:throughout the way. And, but it's hard to keep track of where, where you learn everything. So I would say to the listeners, any. Time you can teach somebody to do anything, even if you think it's the most basic thing you've ever done, might not know how to do that.
Erin Miller:Oh yeah.
Trent Manning:And I definitely think with the younger generation and definitely the people we have working at my club. Back in the day, my club was kind of in a rural area. So we had a lot of country folk, if you will, or rednecks or hillbillies or whatever you wanna call us working there. And a lot of us had practical experience growing up in the country, whether it was, hooking a trailer to a truck, and, all these things that I just thought you were born knowing because I've been doing it since I was five years old. Uh, a lot of these kids nowadays, they don't have that experience.
Erin Miller:Yeah. That's insane to me, by the way. I mean, it's, it's crazy. I mean, and I guess for me, cuz when you grow, grow up thinking, especially being a woman, oh, there's not that many women out there that, that do this, let alone, I mean, you look at these kids now and they just don't, they don't. Have that like, know knowledge that, we just grew up, my dad taught me how to back a trailer in as soon as I was old enough to drive, and, and now I'm, I feel like I can drive better in reverse than I can forward
Trent Manning:That's awesome. I love it.
Erin Miller:it's just, yeah. It's crazy to me. I, I would've never thought that, they just don't know. They don't.
Trent Manning:Yeah, they didn't, they didn't have a reason to learn.
Erin Miller:Right.
Trent Manning:it's a, a friend of a friend, uh, she met this guy. In New York and he lived in New York and they ended up, uh, getting together and getting married, and he moved down here and he had never owned a car. He had never mow the grass. Because he lived in the city, his whole life and I just, I couldn't imagine.
Erin Miller:Right?
Trent Manning:Yeah. Yeah. So I mean, he'd, yeah, he'd seen lawnmowers when he was taking a taxi somewhere, but ne never used one. I, it's just, yeah, strange cuz I didn't grow up that way and
Erin Miller:I actually haven't really thought about that yet. How crazy it would be to somebody, and how we're just like, oh, you don't know how crazy,
Trent Manning:yeah. yeah.
Erin Miller:yeah,
Trent Manning:N never know what, uh, other people's life experience is.
Erin Miller:that's right. That is right.
Trent Manning:Well, let's talk about when in the T tac Turf technician of the year
Erin Miller:Yes.
Trent Manning:only, what, six months late, because that happened in November of last year.
Erin Miller:Yes. Yes. It was crazy. Honestly. It was insane. I had no idea. They just, they called me up. I was actually, I think at work Uh, and they called me up and said, Hey, we need you to come down here. Do you wanna come to the blah, blah, blah? And I was like, yeah, it was supposed to be like a class or something. And so I was like, oh, they just need me down there. So I drove down there. I literally got there at, at, at the time that it started, and next thing I know, I hear my name and I'm just like, what? Like, What, like I don't even, I didn't even have a clue. And then I'm up there getting an award and I see everybody standing there at the, the, the doors and it was so crazy cuz they wasn't there, they, they were just gonna let me come to this class. So, I mean, it was just really cool. It was awesome to, to see them, look back there and, and, and see them and, It was insane. It was a, it was a great, it, it really made me feel like I've done a good job.
Trent Manning:Well, and congratulations on winning the award, and why did you really win the award? Can you tell us that story? I.
Erin Miller:Yeah. So our head mechanic, James Penny he was, weeded in, in his yard. Like in his yard and a car actually came in and, and hit him. And, uh, he had fractured neck, uh, broken ribs, things like that. So, I mean, he is, he was kinda out, they didn't, it was, it was scary there for a little while and, And I kind of had to just step up and, and step into spot. You gotta do what you gotta do. And, and I was gonna try to make James proud, I didn't want him to worry about anything. I didn't want him to stress, look, I, I got you, I got it here. You just get better cuz I, I want you here so I can learn more. That's basically what I had to do. And we did that for a good, it was. It was a good while. I mean, it was last, I think, June or something maybe that he had gotten hit. So it was, it was a good while, and then he slowly has been working his way back. He can't keep that man down. I tell you,
Trent Manning:Yeah. that's. awesome.
Erin Miller:he, he, he pushes through and he just can't sit still. And, that's why he's my mentor. That's why, just like my dad, that's what I said. I mean, it's crazy. But yeah, James, he, he's doing a heck of a lot better. A heck of a lot better,
Trent Manning:That is great to hear, and I'm sorry that he got injured, but it sounded like it really gave you a chance to shine and you didn't take that lightly.
Erin Miller:Oh, no, no. I was gonna make him proud. I wanted to make him proud.
Trent Manning:No, and I mean, that says a lot about your person and I appreciate you working that way, and congratulations again. That is very, very good.
Erin Miller:Thank you.
Trent Manning:Anything else you wanna talk about before we get into some rapid fire?
Erin Miller:No, I don't think so.
Trent Manning:Okay.
Erin Miller:I don't think so.
Trent Manning:Are you, uh, doing any piddling this afternoon After we get off here?
Erin Miller:it's getting a little late here.
Trent Manning:getting late, yeah. it's, it is about bad time.
Erin Miller:Well, yeah, it's, yeah, I, I'm doing some stuff on the inside now cuz I did my stuff on the outside. Did
Trent Manning:All right. Good deal. Awesome.
Erin Miller:Yeah.
Trent Manning:Let's do some rapid fire.
Erin Miller:All righty.
Trent Manning:What's your favorite movie?
Erin Miller:Oh god. It's supposed to be rapid,
Trent Manning:Oh, it's all good. it's
Erin Miller:I would say. I do God water, boy,
Trent Manning:Water boy. Okay. Yeah. That's, That's, a, that's a, classic. I love it. I love it. What would be your last meal?
Erin Miller:I would've to say vegetable lasagna.
Trent Manning:Vegetable lasagna. Okay. All right. I was not expecting that
Erin Miller:know.
Trent Manning:a, a Carolina girl.
Erin Miller:Look, if it's made right, it's so amazing.
Trent Manning:I bet. I bet. What are you most proud of besides your family?
Erin Miller:I would say my quality of work, to me that's, I'm, I'm really proud of of what I, I try to put out there. I really can't say family cause I'm super proud of my family.
Trent Manning:Uh, well, no, it's, I think it's a given that most people are proud of their family and. So I phrased the question that way because before when I asked What are you most proud of, everybody said, my family. My family. And I understand that and rightfully so, and that would be my answer too. I'm most proud of my two daughters,
Erin Miller:Yep.
Trent Manning:Lillian and Lila, and they're growing up and I just love'em so much and I'm so proud of'em. So I get that. But professionally, what are you proud of? Yeah. Tell me something else about your family that you're proud of.
Erin Miller:I would just have to say honestly like. My brother, I'm, I'm pretty proud of my brother, just kind of looking after, my dad and, and things here and, all that good stuff. And I, I'm proud of, of my dad for kind of just showing me, A whole nother outlook, not just growing up and being like, a girl that, just don't wanna learn or, you know what I mean? Like, he kind of bestowed in me to wanna try and, and, and learn as much as possible of, of everything. So, I mean, I'm super proud of, of being his daughter and, and him just kinda, showing me, taking that time to really show me that, that, cuz I mean, look at what it's brought me to,
Trent Manning:Mm. No, that's awesome. I love it. Yeah, no, it's so good. And like I was saying, I got two girls the oldest one, she's 18 now, but she never cared anything about helping me work on anything. She. No, but the youngest one that's 15 now, when she was, she's 15 now, so nothing I do is cool. But when she was younger she loved helping me. Whenever I was in the basement working on whatever I was working on, she was right there with me getting dirty and greasy and, I mean, it just made my day. It really did. So I know you're really thankful for all the stuff your dad has showed you, but. I'm guessing from a dad's standpoint, he was probably really happy to have you there next to him.
Erin Miller:Uh, I hope so. I mean, I, I definitely, and I know my dad, so Yeah, I know he was proud of me and, and I mean, just it, he's just, yeah, he's a really good dad. He is a
Trent Manning:awesome. I love it. I hope he listens to this and I hope he hears that.
Erin Miller:I better get some good daughter points.
Trent Manning:Yes, that's right. Exactly right. Well, uh, tell the listeners how they could get ahold of you on social media or anything.
Erin Miller:Yeah. I am on, I don't know, none of my handles though. I'm so sorry.
Trent Manning:Oh, it's all good. I'll, I'll find you and I'll, uh, tag you when we post this.
Erin Miller:There you go. Yeah, cuz I mean, honestly I don't do a whole lot of posting. I get on, the social media to kind of just follow everybody else. Just, I might start posting here, here or there occasionally. But Yeah. I mean, it's just this continue to stay connected really. I like to kind of watch everybody else and see what y'all are getting into.
Trent Manning:There ain't nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with that. Well, thank you so much, Aaron, for being on this has been a pleasure. It's been a blast. You got good energy
Erin Miller:Thank you.
Trent Manning:I love you. I love your, your outlook and uh, you give off good vibes and I appreciate that and we, we need more of that in the workplace for sure. all us old grumpy guys that are, uh, around the shop.
Erin Miller:Hey, hey, I can, uh, I can somehow manage to make some of the grumpiest people smile. That is like a goal I do have on the side. Like somehow, some way I'm gonna make somebody that can smile.
Trent Manning:thank you so much for listening to the Reel turf techs podcast. I hope you learned something today. Don't forget to subscribe. If you have any topics you'd like to discuss, or you'd like to be a guest, find us on Twitter at Reel turf techs.