Monthly Employee Highlight: Stanley Kelly

With his wide grin, Stanley brings warmth to the room, demonstrating his commendable work ethic through his grateful attitude and exceptional teamwork skills. Stanley is approachable and easy to talk to; he listens attentively and gently shares his thoughts and insights, inspiring and enlightening those around him.

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First Part: AT ARSGEM

• Briefly introduce yourself:

Hi, my name is Stanley Kelly. People often call me Stan the Man so that's my nickname. I have been with the ARSGEM for over 2 years now as a multi-skilled tradesman. Generally speaking, different tradesmen can have different specializations. For me, my specialty lies in framing, drywall, taping, and painting finished carpentry. 

• What are your favourite parts of your role and why?:

I take pride in that my work makes customers happy. At the end of the day, that is the core duty of everything I do: To serve others for their well-being and joy. I am grateful to be able to make someone's day brighter through the skills and expertise I have.  

• How does teamwork apply to your day-to-day job? 

In my line of work, teamwork is of absolute importance. Many times, multiple tradesmen with different specialties need to collaborate. Each tradesman brings their unique skills and expertise to the table, and by working together, they can accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively. In addition, different team members may offer diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. By working together in a highly cooperative manner, we can streamline processes and avoid delays caused by waiting for one another to complete tasks. 

I cannot emphasize the significance of teamwork enough; Teamwork really makes the dream work! It demonstrates a powerful cohesion among team members, where one's pain is felt by all. If we prioritize the well-being of each other, we can together create something truly meaningful and powerful.  

Second Part: Your Philosophy

• If you could have a conversation with any person (including historical figures), who would it be and why? 

I would like to meet Martin Luther King Junior. As a pastor and also a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement, he actively heard the voices of the weak and underrepresented and fought for them. His way of influencing others was not violent yet peaceful and inspirational. King's "I Have a Dream" speech talks about his dream of seeing African American people - widely undervalued and socially segregated at that time - sharing lives and achieving great things together with people with different ethnic backgrounds. For me, his message is all about "People are people, no matter what physical traits they may have." His message of hope, love, and unity resonates across generations and transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. In short, he has made the world a better place, and I would like to do so too.  

• If you could attend any event, past or future, what event would you choose, and why?  

I would like to attend the Raptors Championship Game back in 2019. It was the year when the Raptors stood at the top of all games! As an avid Raptors fan, I would like to be at the historical moment and celebrate the victory with other fans. 

• What legacy would you like to leave behind?  

Two things: One is personal and the other one is more inclusive. First, I would like to provide financial stability for my family so that they may enjoy a higher quality of life with a sense of security.  

Second, I would like to represent my faith in Christ to others well. My faith is undoubtedly the most important thing in my life. John 3:16, probably the most Bible verse, is my all-time favourite. I would like to live a life that's based on love, humility, and service to others that I learned from God.  

• What was your first job? 

My first Job was working to build a home from scratch in Jamaica. As a child, I absorbed a wealth of skills from my father, a professional carpenter by profession. About three decades ago, I was on a team to build a 6000 sq. ft. house in Montego Bay in Jamaica. Unexpectedly, one of the main supervisors simply didn't turn up, putting us all in a bind. Much to my surprise, the employer entrusted me with assuming leadership and driving the project forward. He had to teach me a lot himself along the way to make sure I got a hold of it well. Long story short, we were able to finish the project successfully. My brother and I installed the roof, possibly the trickiest yet the most important job. The sense of achievement upon completion was truly remarkable. 

Third Part: More About You

• All-time favourite movie? Home Alone(1990). It's a classic Christmas movie that does not lose its luster in time. I enjoyed it very much with my family and still watch it every Christmas season.  

• What is the best purchase under $100 you’ve made in the last few months? I got a good air-fryer that was on sale. So far, it has been doing its job just fine.   

• Your favourite ice cream flavour(s)? Grapenut and Almond & Raisin.  

• Your favourite singer? Donnie Mclurkin.

• Favourite colour(s)? Burgundy.

• What's your favourite type of cuisine or dish? Caribbean cuisine! My favourite dishes include Jerk chicken, Kidney bean rice with Caesar salad, Oxtail, and Goat curry.  

• What's your favourite type of exercise or physical activity? I like walking. I especially enjoy going for a long walk with my wife. In the summer, I also enjoy biking. I would like to try some winter sports in the future such as ice-skating and skiing as I have never done them before.   

• What's something you're grateful for today? I am grateful that I am alive today, being able to move my body freely, and working for a job that I genuinely appreciate.