Unique Elevator Interiors LLC

Tom loves building things, whether it be an experimental aircraft or an elevator business. When he founded UEI, his vision was to create beautiful engineering and design solutions. After more than three decades in the industry, we’d say he’s done that and is pretty darn good at it. His innovation has not only led him to own a thriving business, but he’s also the proud recipient of the 2015 Gold Lindy Grand Champion in the kit-built category from the infamous Oshkosh EAA AirVenture. He’s a big deal. In his spare time, he’s either flying high in the skies or cruising the seas with his wife, Loretta.

Andy leads teams with ease and manages strict deadlines to keep projects on track. His competitive nature and strong work ethic ensure every project he works on will be completed above and beyond expectations. When Andy’s not orchestrating the team, he’s either hanging out with his family or fly-fishing in the Idaho wilderness.

Ben likes to joke. But we can assure you that everything you read next are real facts. An amateur comedian, upstanding family man, and Director of Project Management, Ben greets every day as a new challenge. His innovative engineering skills allow him to repeatedly integrate out-of-the-box design, such as installing circadian rhythm lighting into an elevator cab. We think that’s pretty impressive. Equally impressive is his dedication to cycling: Ben once spent two weeks in Europe riding various stages of the Tour de France. It’s a good thing he’s comfortable in spandex.

Driven, goal-oriented, amazing fetch player (at least according to his dog). We only require two out of the three descriptions for our project managers, but Craig has all three. Armed with a degree from Whitworth University and 10 years in the industry, Craig brings a variety of skills to the UEI team. He loves meeting new people and building powerful relationships with customers, ensuring the high-quality service UEI is known for. When he’s not in the office, you’ll likely find him at a Mariners game, floor-level at a rock concert, or scaling a frozen waterfall during his high-altitude mountaineering excursions.

The elevator business has its “ups and downs,” according to part-time Improv actor Edward, and he helps us experience many more ups than downs. With over two decades of experience in manufacturing, Edward knows how to keep a business like ours running smoothly and efficiently. He quickly adapts to the ever-changing landscape of the elevator industry. His life outside the office has him flying all over the place, putting his private pilot’s license to good use.

Jaime is one of the bravest people we know. He has encountered angry wildebeests on a South African safari and scaled nine peaks in the Northern Cascades. We appreciate his sense of adventure when it comes to consulting on complex elevator projects—no challenge is too great for Jamie. After graduating from the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Jamie settled in Seattle where he has worked in the elevator industry for more than a decade. Jamie’s favorite part about his position is getting to know clients, especially other Seahawks fans.

Johnny also boasts a degree from the school of “Hard Knocks.” It must be an inside joke between he and Michael. Seriously though, Johnny has almost 80 years of combined experience in AutoCAD, mechanical and structural design, and CAD interior design. He knows his stuff. Johnny’s favorite part of the job is finding solutions to design problems and his Friday (sometimes) lunches at The Englander Pub with his coworkers, where they cheer on the Golden State Warriors together.

Justin is very dedicated to the job, and he shows this by overseeing every project from start to finish and beyond. He always follows up with clients to understand how they are liking their cab. In fact, he loves building and constructing so much that he does it in his spare time as well, finding time to renovate his house when he’s not taking care of clients. His degree from Saint Mary’s College of California is in business and economics and, he has 12 years’ experience in the elevator trade. When he does take a break from constructing, Justin dreams of going back to Barcelona. We’ll allow it only if he takes us with him.

Keith the master, that’s what we like to call him. After 38 years in the industry, he knows a thing or twelve, including inventing new ways to build elevator cab interiors, making them safer and more streamlined. He’s also certified in airframe and general aviation, which goes hand in hand with Tom and Edward’s pilot licenses. When he’s not sharing his wisdom with the UEI team, he’s teaching his dog how to ride surfboards. A new side business, perhaps?

Lindsay is two sides of the same coin. She’s a tomboy and a girly-girl. Goofy, yet professional. And lucky for us, her skill set is as diverse as her personality traits. Lindsay is passionate about creativity and puts her B.F.A in Interior Design to work every day. The most rewarding part of her job is watching designs come to life, from paper to reality. In her free time, she’s either riding backroad trails on her dirt bike or rooting for the Niners—while heckling Jamie about being a Seahawks fan.

Organized, responsible, outgoing; these are the characteristics that make Maria such a great office manager. Whether she’s managing the day-to-day in the office or keeping us on top of our meetings, Maria can juggle work-life better than a professional, well, juggler. When she’s not hanging out with us, she’s at home with her second favorite crew, her kids (just kidding!) helping them cheer on their favorite soccer team.

Simply put, Matt is multi-talented. He majored in Construction Management while minoring in Business Administration from California State University Sacramento. He’s certified in health and safety awareness and project management (from two different institutions), and he’s an Eagle Scout. Matt’s favorite part of the job is finding creative solutions to a client’s problem. In his spare time, he enjoys wood working and gifting personalized presents to his friends and family. He also loves to eat what he cooks.

Scott has an eye for detail like no one else. His military and project management background ensure he never shies away from the toughest of projects. His favorite part of the job? Being a sounding board for clients to help guide them to solutions. And when not keeping an eye on his work projects, he’s in the kitchen at home, expressing creativity by cooking—and eating—delicious cuisine from different cultures.

Duane is a note-taker, especially when the sales team says something funny. He keeps sticky notes handy in case he encounters an impromptu exchange of one-liners. This uber-resourceful and equally athletic Chief of Sales and Marketing is always striving for perfection, regardless if he’s developing the team, our business process, or a strategic plan. He loves collaborating with others and helping our clients reach success. When he’s not having a blast at work, he’s in his woodshop at home or enjoying the company of his wife Carol, his two daughters, and Carol’s cooking.

If there is one thing you can always count on, it’s Michael’s dry humor. Our favorite lines? When he touts his degree from the “University of Hard Knocks,” or boasts his “expertise in causing trouble.” All jokes aside, he has over three decades of experience in sales and project management and has been with UEI since the company was founded (now that’s loyalty). He is also dedicated to ensuring complete customer satisfaction—client relationships are some things he does take seriously.

As our official bean-counter or, Chief, as he would prefer, Blake has a knack for finding discrepancies in the numbers and making sure they all add up. A perfect natural skill-set which is augmented by his BS degree in accounting from San Diego State University. Blake is described by his best friend as “cool”, his parents, “boring” and his pet, “playful”. Wow, which one is it? Well, we know at least two things for sure; he loves listening to The Who and loves watching the Raiders.

Carol keeps us honest. Carol’s number-crunching abilities make her a valuable part of the UEI team. Outside of the office, she spends her time in the great outdoors, skiing down mountains and rocking out to Mariah Carey.

Carol loves the people she works with (thank you, Carol) and we love her just as much. She knows this company like the back of her hand. With a background in accounting, her expertise in system implementations keeps the business soaring. When Carol’s not crunching the numbers at UEI, she’s cooking up masterpieces in her kitchen or traveling with her daughters and doting husband, Duane.

Starting a business is not easy, something Loretta knows well. In 2001, she started UEI with her husband, Tom, and through hard work and good old-fashioned elbow grease, helped turn it into a successful business. When she’s not riding shotgun in their airplane, she enjoys baking cookies, reading and playing with her young grandsons. When time allows, Loretta loves to spend time outdoors in the mountain air of Lake Tahoe.

Nina is the ultimate team player: she loves helping us with our daily needs, coordinating and distributing our paychecks to double-checking if our families are doing well. However, that’s not all; she also encourages philanthropy in the workplace with the Care Committee, dedicated to ensuring families have the essentials throughout the holidays. Besides being a certified phlebotomist (we had to look it up, too), Nina is also a big supporter of Elton John and the Golden State Warriors.