Otis History Home -- Alumni Q&A


	Welcome
	Otis Firsts
	Anecdotes
	Features
	Making History
	We Are Otis
	Alumni Q&A
	Otis in Print

	Otis History Home
	Otis Home

Alumni Q&A

Héctor Bejarano

Héctor Bejarano joined Otis Mexico informally at the age of 14, when he carried his father’s tools during school vacations. One year later, he was hired by the company and worked in various positions – some of them outside the country – until he became technical training manager, a position he held until his retirement in May 2003, following 53 years of service. Today, Héctor does volunteer work at several Catholic churches, repairing their electrical equipment, sound systems and telephone connections, passing on to his assistants the culture of safety he learned at Otis.
-----------------------------
Q: What is your most memorable experience with Otis?

Mr. Bejarano

After the earthquake in Mexico City in 1985, the buildings at the National Medical Center complex were severely damaged and we had to disassemble and pack 54 high-speed elevators so we could send them to a warehouse of the Mexican Social Security Institute (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social). At the time, I was a service supervisor and was appointed to supervise the task. The work team consisted of people from the service and installations departments, although the installation personnel did not dare to go into the building, since it was in a bad shape. I remember perfectly that I was the first one to enter the site, and I told my co-workers, "Nothing is happening, boys, and with God’s help, we are going to do just fine." And, that is how, one month later, about 70 people succeeded in disassembling, packing and shipping the 54 units to the institute’s warehouse. It was a very difficult project, because we worked night and day, but we completed the work in a record time of one month. We showed that, by joining forces and thinking positively, no barriers could prevent us from succeeding. Once we finished the work, the building was demolished. (Editor’s note: The facility was rebuilt in the same location and today is called Medical Center XXI Century.)

Q: If someone came to you before his or her first day of work at Otis, what would be your advice to be successful at the company?

Mr. Bejarano

I would tell him that Otis is a huge company, with many opportunities. It is just a matter of dedication, loyalty and honesty in work and with yourself. We should be devoted in body and soul to our work, so as to grow personally and to grow the company. We have to be ethical and follow the policies. This is advice not only for new hires but also for everyone who works at the company.


	Archives

	Kim Young-Ho
	Wolfgang Dannenberg
	Bill McCoy