Congratulations on 5 years of service, Scott!

Thank you for all you do!

STT Security Supervisor Scott Longas celebrated his 5-year anniversary with STT over the past weekend! Read what Scott had to say about his time with STT below:

(And if you know Scott personally, don’t forget to wish him a happy birthday this weekend!)

When did you start working for STT?

I originally saw an ad while I was scrolling on Indeed. I was working in the food industry at the time and just looking for something else part-time. I came across the security ad with STT and applied. Not too long after, I was speaking with the supervisor there. I got an interview that went well, passed my background check, and I was offered the job within about an hour of everything clearing. I was like okay, this is great – the job is right nearby my house, I was working four days a week in the afternoons and occasionally midnights. Given my schedule at the time, it all lined up and worked out quite well. I found the job to be awesome; the facility I worked in was very nice, the employees there were friendly, the environment was very clean and well-kept – I thought to myself, “I could get used to this!” At first, I was just filling in for call-offs and when people used sick or vacation time, but eventually someone else quit and that opened a full-time opportunity for me. I immediately jumped on that and transitioned to a full-time gig with STT. I did that for about eight months before the supervisor left, at which point I applied for that role and received it. I’ve been a supervisor here for about four years now!

What have you done while working for us? How many sites/positions have you been in?

I’ve done work at a couple other locations that we’ve overseen over the years, such as an old apartment complex that’s now closed, for a TV station that no longer needs security, and an equipment plant that needed seasonal coverage. Those jobs were exciting because they were something new and different, but the main site I supervise was growing and exceptionally busy, so I had to dedicate all my time there.

What has been your favorite part about working for STT?

They’re phenomenal people! They will jump on stuff right away for you. If I call in, I get help. I like to lead by example and am a strong believer that things come from the top-down. Strong leadership from the top means I’m able to be a strong leader for my employees. You know the expression, “the fish dies from the head first?” I have not seen that with STT. I dealt with it in all my jobs in the restaurant industry, but I have never seen it in my time with STT. All you have to do is reach out and provide some information about what you need, and [the home office] will jump right on it to help you – because they care!

What is your favorite story/experience from working with us?

I can recall a few but this one is probably the most interesting: the manager of the plant feeds all the wild turkeys that come around the site. Normally there are like 12 turkeys that come around from all over. Over time, more and more animals have started to show up for feeding time. There are rabbits, deer, and turkey now. One time, we had a coyote show up and take out half the turkeys. The staff were really concerned and took pictures, but there wasn’t really anything we could do other than keep an eye out for it. The turkeys disappeared for a few days, but they ended up coming back again!

What advice would you give to a new employee?

Open your mind up and listen. Make sure you ask questions when you aren’t sure about something. It is always good to ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. When I started, I read policy after policy to try to learn, but it isn’t the same as that first-hand knowledge you learn from others while on the job. Try to understand your job, not just show up for it. Be willing to learn every day; I can learn from my newest employees just like I can learn from the people above me. And most of all: be aware of things. Observe and report, don’t slack off, and use common sense and critical thinking. You are not a police officer, you’re there to observe and report!