Generational knowledge – Amanda Yarger continues her family’s legacy People behind the story
At the heart of every successful project lies the expertise of the people behind it. Driven by insight, creativity, and experience, our employees certainly have some stories to tell. Here we’re talking with Amanda Yarger, a Repair Superintendent based in the San Francisco Bay Area, about her life and career with elevators.
Many of our colleagues at Schindler have decades of hard-earned experience in the elevator industry, but few started with more insider know-how than Amanda Yarger. A third-generation professional in the business – her grandfather started working as a lift mechanic in the 1950s, and her parents met while working for Schindler – she grew up with constant vertical transportation shop talk around the dinner table.
"I've been in the elevator industry, or at least I've known about it, all my life. When I started working for Schindler, it felt like I already had over 20 years of experience," she says with a beaming smile.
A different start
Amanda works as Repair Superintendent, covering Northern California and Nevada, and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area – not far from where she grew up. Her responsibilities span various areas but can be boiled down to a single, critical mission: when something goes wrong, or could potentially go wrong, clients call on her and her crew of technicians to fix it.
"We deal with everything – we repair and upgrade anything you can think of, from replacing doors or fixing water damage to installing new software systems that optimize traffic flow," says Amanda.
Her role covers providing technical solutions, ensuring workplace safety, supervising technicians and job site activity, while supporting service, maintenance and repair sales. Communication, financial acumen, business development and management skills are crucial. The position requires her to be responsible for all steps of a repair process, from "step one to close," she explains.
Amanda’s career took off in a very different industry, though. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara in California with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, she worked in social media marketing and public relations for various consumer and media companies. This experience provided her with valuable skills in client communication and team organization, which she now applies in her current position.
We have to be the best
However, the most important skill for Amanda’s role is a comprehensive understanding of all types of elevators and escalators, regardless of their age or brand.
"Of course, all mechanics know what to repair and how. They have a lot of experience. However, our repair mechanics must be the most technically knowledgeable people since we handle everything. I work with them to have a thorough understanding of every part of the process, " she explains.
When she says "everything", it's not an exaggeration. Some of the units she and her team work with are the most modern, equipped with systems powered by artificial intelligence software. Others date back decades – the oldest elevators Amanda has worked with are from the 1950s. What's more, the team doesn’t only look after Schindler units – they handle elevators and escalators from all brands.
"That's why our team has to be the best, they have to know all kinds of equipment from all our competitors, going all the way back to the 1950s," Amanda says, exuding pride for her coworkers. "At the same time, it’s important we stay up to date with all new technologies and digitalization, as this is a vital part of what we do."
The most common job for Amanda and her crew is the replacement of suspension ropes. Another common repair is the replacement of elevator belts on Schindler elevators. Like suspension ropes, this task is often performed as a proactive measure after a certain number of rides. The team receives a notification when the belts on an elevator have reached approximately 800,000 rides, prompting them to contact the customer for maintenance. This proactive approach helps ensure the safety and reliability of our elevators, minimizing the risk of unexpected failures and maintaining optimal performance for users.
Improving user experience is also high on Amanda’s agenda. Some clients request sleeker-looking buttons, while others seek more stylish interior designs for their elevators.
"One client even wanted to paint the inside of the hoistway in different colors, which is funny because no one will ever see that except for the mechanics. We often deal with some interesting customizations," she says.
Continually learning
One of Amanda’s biggest projects is the Levi's® Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers. On any given Sunday, the atmosphere at the stadium is electric – with music, fireworks, and the chants of the crowd – it’s an amazing sporting extravaganza.
Our team installed 38 Schindler 9300 escalators, 25 Schindler 400A elevators, and six hydraulic elevators throughout the stadium – and has maintained and serviced them all ever since.
"Everything has to work perfectly but also look nice. People are paying a lot of money to be there, and they want aesthetics. If anything gets damaged, like if an elevator door gets scratched or bumped, they want it replaced. It's a combination of function and looking good.”
Amanda explains that she learned the ins and outs of the elevator repair business through a combination of internal mentorship programs, asking numerous questions, and observing her mechanics in the field.
"And, it doesn't hurt to have one of Schindler's top mechanics close at hand for advice," Amanda says, referring to her father and other members of her "elevator dynasty" family.