At 45 years of work at ABB, and counting, engineer Jim Nash continues to thrive

NEW BERLIN, WI, June 15, 2010 . . . When Jim Nash, a principal engineer with ABB Low Voltage Drives in New Berlin Wisconsin, began his ABB career on June 21, 1965, the Beatles’ Ticket to Ride was the group’s latest number- one song, and Help, the Fab Four’s next number-one single, wasn’t even in record stores yet. The song wasn’t available for downloading either.

Jim has seen more than music change during his ABB career. When he started as a trainee with Harnischfeger in 1965, he spent most of his time drawing at a drafting board with a t-square and pencils. He did his calculations on a slide rule, used carbon paper to make copies, and passed off his reports to secretaries who worked at typewriters. “I haven’t seen a drafting table here in more than 10 years,” Jim says with a laugh.

“Back then,” Jim also remembers, “the big thing was magnetics. Nothing was solid state. Digital didn’t exist either. Everything was analog. So you made an adjustment by taking a screwdriver to a circuit board. Today you make an adjustment by changing a parameter that is read by a micro-processor.”

In today’s business environment, Jim’s 45 years with ABB is more than a remarkable achievement -- it is one of those unapproachable accomplishments. For perspective, you need to leave the business world. Consider Cal Ripken’s 16-year, 2,632 consecutive-games-played streak in baseball. Or Johnny Carson’s almost 30-year run as host of television’s Tonight Show.

New Opportunities, Equipment and Challenges
“On two different occasions, I tested the waters but didn’t want to make a transition,” Jim says about leaving ABB. “In 45 years, everyone will have ups and downs, but ABB always gave me new opportunities, new equipment and new design challenges. I always felt that this is where I wanted to stay.”

Jim also survived his share of layoffs and restructurings during his career at ABB, and he encourages younger professionals to gain as much broad experience as possible in order to survive the ups and downs of the marketplace. “I believe my broad experience made it easy for the company to move me from one job function to another,” Jim remembers. “I always felt my versatility and willingness to embrace change gave me an advantage over equally valuable employees during difficult times.”

“So Jim, if you could do it all over again?”

“I wouldn’t do anything different,” he says. “I’ve always enjoyed being an engineer. ABB has challenged me with projects that kept my interest. I’ve learned a lot from my peers. And my personal values have always coincided with the company’s values. Knowing that I can do what I feel is right and the company will support me makes it very easy for me to come in every morning revitalized and motivated.”

June 14, 2010 Update – 45 Years and STILL Counting
Nash, with his 45^th work anniversary the second week in June, observes, “Well, another five years have gone by and I’m still here. I’m still revitalized when customers call in with new challenges. There are cases that initially “just don’t make sense,” but after drawing out some circuits and making a few calculations, are resolved by a “eureka moment” are still the best. (I never said I wasn’t a geek.) I continue to enjoy meeting face to face with distributors, reps, and customers to pass on the superior technical benefits of our products – Automation and Power World is great!
“I’m also devoting time to attempting PowerPoint ‘mind dumps,’ to pass on a broad range of drive related application knowledge. Fortunately, colleagues keep coming by to ask impromptu questions about a variety electrical engineering subjects. Without these interludes, I’m afraid death by PowerPoint might set in.
“My wife, Susan, convinced me to work only three days a week, and the company has graciously made that possible on a prorated salary basis. I’m often asked how much longer I plan to stay around before I fully retire. My stock answer is, ‘As long as I think I’m still contributing and as long as the company thinks I still provide value.’ But I have to admit, spending more time with the grandkids keeps looking better and better.”

ABB Inc., Automation Technologies, Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives, is the world's largest manufacturer of electric motors and drives. In the USA, an integrated channel of sales representatives, distributors, and system integrators allow ABB, New Berlin, Wisconsin, to supply a complete line of energy-efficient electric drives, motors and engineered drive systems to a wide range of industrial and commercial customers. Products manufactured include AC and DC variable speed drives for electric motors from 1/8th through 135,000 HP, and application-specific drive system solutions to meet diverse customer needs (http://www.abb.us/drives).
ABB (www.abb.us) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 117,000 people.