Meet the IIA Lifting Services Leader with Ninja Tricks

Robert “Rob” Roedell joined the IIA Lifting Services team in 2008 as an inspector. With a mechanically inclined background, Rob easily transitioned into his new role as an aerial device and crane inspector. After 1.5 years of training, Rob found a new passion for working in the field, enjoying the freedom, independence, and variety of going to different job sites.

After 10 years as an inspector “turning wrenches”, Rob was promoted to his current position as Midwest Operations Manager based out of Moscow Mills, Missouri. In this role, he is responsible for leading and training a team of technicians, managing the logistics and scheduling of jobs, general problem solving, and ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction.

Rob’s past experience as an inspector and his current position today go hand in hand - he’s “been there and done that.” Technicians often face unexpected variables like weather and new pieces of equipment but Rob’s years of experience allow him to lead his team confidently, overcoming any challenge because he’s already been in that situation and has the wealth of knowledge and solutions needed to lead his team. Rob’s ninja tricks to success are:

  1. Communication - There’s never enough. It’s always better to over-communicate with customers and he trains his team to do the same.
  2. Forward Thinking - Rob sees operations like a chess game, always thinking three moves ahead. With this forward-thinking mindset, he is able to anticipate problems and creates solutions to ensure customer satisfaction, safety, and quality.
  3. Quality - Leading by example is key to Rob’s leadership. He understands proper testing procedures and enforces training standards and methods, ensuring each inspector is thorough and approaches inspections systematically - the same way, every time.

Rob attributes his success to the appreciation that at IIA Lifting Services “what you put into your position is what you get out of it.” With 12 years of dedication to the team, Rob admits to not only loving his job but says he is most inspired when he’s influenced someone after sharing an experience or life lesson.