Spencer Puts Steffes’s Volunteer Time Off Benefit into Action in Alaska
Giving back is part of who we are at Steffes, which is why we proudly offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to our employees. This benefit allows team members to step beyond the workplace and make a meaningful impact through causes they care about. Earlier this year, quality technician Dan Spencer used VTO to travel to Bethel, Alaska, as part of a church program. There, he rolled up his sleeves to help restore a local church—putting Steffes’ values into action far beyond our walls.
In Bethel, the extreme tundra conditions present unique challenges. Most buildings are constructed on stilts, supported by multiple concrete pads, because the permafrost causes structures to slowly sink over time. One section of the church had settled nearly eight inches lower than another, requiring significant engineering work just to bring the building back to level. Dan played a key role in the restoration, running much of the church’s piping for the heating system. Although he had no prior experience in this field, he embraced the challenge and enjoyed the opportunity to learn a new skill along the way.
Dan also appreciated the opportunity to experience a way of life very different from his own. Bethel is a remote town in southwestern Alaska, located about 80 miles inland from the coast. While the town itself has roads, travel beyond its limits is far more rugged. Specialized vehicles designed for ice roads are essential, and most locals rely on snowmachines—the regional term for snowmobiles—to get around in the winter.
During his time in Alaska, Dan’s group also traveled farther north to visit Akiak, an isolated village home to the Yup’ik tribe, where they had the opportunity to experience the local culture firsthand. “The people that I met up there, not just there in Bethel, but also the missionaries that were in the village of Akiak, are what I’ll remember most about my trip,” Dan said. “I would like to go back sometime to visit them and see what progress has been made on the church. Teams from across the country have helped out with this project, so it’s cool to be a part of.”
Back home in Dickinson, North Dakota, Dan works as a quality technician at Steffes. Each morning, he and his team inspect products across all three of the company’s business units, a role that takes him between both the Main and East production buildings. While smaller inspections—such as contract work or Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) parts—can be completed quickly, larger jobs like full skid inspections may take anywhere from an hour and a half to an entire day, depending on their size and complexity. A significant portion of Dan’s role also involves inspecting tools and ensuring replacements are secured when needed.
Want to become part of a company culture that empowers its workforce to make a difference? Join the Steffes team!