MKJ CELEBRATES 16 YEARS

MKJ CELEBRATES 16 YEARS

As the days clicked closer to MKJ’s 16th year, I went down the rabbit hole in search of a deep and meaningful explanation of the widely celebrated  Sweet 16.  With a giggle and a snort, I can report that these glittery parties are coming-of-age celebrations – a chance for the teenager to step into the spotlight and shine.  Hmmmm… how to correlate this into a meaningful, less objectifying way. (Mind bubble – positive thought) ok, ok, ok – in celebration of all things teenage and sweet, MKJ is officially turning 16, and with all the sass and shine…WE ARE CELEBRATING!!

16 years ago there were 5 of us who had the moxy to change the way the industry embraced our scope, and we’ve spent the past 16 years honing and perfecting the MKJ approach. And as our teenager enters her 16th year – we know that we’re just hitting our stride.  Investing in talent, growing our team, mentoring, training, and educating the smartest engineering minds and technical hands this city has. Partnering with the most technically sound manufacturers, vendors, and distributors – we’re engaging the industry at every level with solutions.  

And… Have you heard about MKJ PROJECTS?!  The best of our integration, teamwork, and ability to assemble the smartest, ingenious construction professionals, extending our scope to provide fully implemented metal and glass structures that are built to the exacting specifications.

Happy Birthday, MKJ – 16 and Oh So Sweet.

WHERE WE STARTED, WHERE WE’RE GOING

Have you heard the funny story about who knew what we were starting in that tiny office 16 years ago? Basically, we didn’t. But what we definitely did know was that there was a better way to integrate low voltage systems. 

Frustrated by being the last kid picked to join the game, we took our scope, which was always an afterthought, and forced our way into the earliest part of the design.  We took a chance on ourselves changing the way things were done in this industry – surprisingly, and gratefully, it worked.

I’m thankful for building an incredible team that has helped to grow MKJ from that tiny office into a staff of over 60, who has worked on some of the most coveted transit projects out there. 

This year isn’t even halfway over and we’ve exceeded every goal set for the year. Our entire staff is looking forward to working with those who have supported us for the last 16 and with new partners, we’re forging relationships for the next 16 and BEYOND.

ROCKSTAR OF THE MONTH: NEIL MACIAS
Transit Manager Extraordinaire

When did you first realize you wanted to work in engineering?

I was first inspired by my dad. He used to install/build systems. Ever since I was a kid, I was interested in how electricity made things work, so I would take apart everything I got my hands on just to figure it out. My favorite subject in high school was math and they offered principles of electricity, so I decided to study that. 

What was your first job in the industry?

I started as a fire alarm programmer before moving to the NYCT environment. 

How did you wind up at MKJ? 

I moved from my previous job to start MKJ.

JH: Hmmm…. The way I remember it was that Neil was working with John Massaro – as a technician, when John and I were sorta, kinda starting MKJ and hanging on to our day jobs. And there was Neil, in our rat-infested beloved first office, with so much excitement – ready, willing, and proficiently able to do whatever it took to get us started.  There was a lot of waiting around that first year, but what came out of it is what inspires us to keep expanding on our original vision.   

What do you love about your job?

I’m always learning and teaching my coworkers. It gives me the opportunity to solve problems and design things that matter, things that make NYC a better place, and things that I love. 

JH: Affectionately called Senór, Neil solves problems through consensus building and good deeds.  I’ve never met anyone like Neil – never frustrated, never angry, never flustered. He is the most skilled communicator and  there has never been a time when I’ve asked Neil to resolve a situation that he has said anything other than, “no problem.” He is everyone’s favorite and the most requested Project Manager – he truly leads with his heart and always by example.

What’s your favorite thing about working at MKJ specifically?

MKJ is my family. I love the friendships, the work relationships, the ethnic mix, and racial diversity. It’s just like New York – a true melting pot.

JH: Neil and his whole family are my family.  Lucinda, Natalie, Adrian, and Chip…. ALL FAMILY.  

What was your favorite project to work on so far?  

Every job is unique. The Canarsie Tunnel “Sandy Repair” was completed three months ahead of schedule and six months ahead of the original total-shutdown proposal. It was a very high-priority job with lots of challenges, but we worked days, nights, and weekends to be able to finish before the deadline. It had it all (emergency alarms, telephone, radio, fiber, elevators, switches, network, CCTV, and public address systems).

JH: That’s almost an unfair question – he’s basically supporting every job – he is the master collaborator!!  I think of all of MKJ’s big breaks, our very first big project was an ADA Elevator at Rockefeller Center in 2007 for a whopping $175K! I remember the feeling of “if we do this project, well – the sky’s the limit.” On that project, Neil became our resident expert on elevators because he made it look so easy – actually, he makes everything look so easy.

What would your dream project be?

A fully automated NYCT railroad system.

JH: Neat-O.

Your favorite MKJ story? 

I’m the first employee.

JH: True story.  Awesome tale.  Don’t let John Massaro read this.

Jets or Giants?  

I prefer soccer.

JH: Go Chelsea!

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Vanilla.

JH: You are so not vanilla!  

New Project: 8 Stations

One project we’re excited to start this month, which will last about 2 years, is upgrading the emergency announcement and security systems in 8 stations across the NYC boroughs, including:
 

• 8th Avenue

• Woodhaven Boulevard

• Westchester Avenue

• 181st Street

• Marcy Avenue

• Flushing Ave

• Court Square

• Queensboro Plaza

These stations service thousands of riders per hour, every day, so having updated systems is extremely important to keep those customers safe, on time, and on the go – the main mission of MKJ. To do that we’ll be designing and furnishing the following new systems: 

• Public address systems

• Data cabinets

• Access nodes

• Wireless routers for network switches

• Telecommunications

• Security, CCTV, and video management

• Access control system

• Motion control 

• Keypads 

• Network data

• Customer information signage

• Powerplants backup AC power by Benning

EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY AT MKJ!

Earth Day may only come once a year, but at MKJ we take care of our planet 365 days a year by: 

• Recycling Batteries
• Recycling all office waste
• Using filtered water stations with reusable bottles to cut down on plastic
• Building our new office with mostly green and sustainable materials

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

In a blink, 16 years have flown by, and in that time I’ve been elevated by the quality of the people in my orbit. To my staff, vendors and customers – thank you truly for each and every opportunity. As we rapidly grow we’re holding fast to our mission to be customer and end-user-focused, to be technologically astute, and mindful that it’s our job to solve the hard problems and make the ‘thing’ work.  

At MKJ the word family is said a lot.

And when I think of every Sweet 16 I’ve ever attended, at its core was the family in celebration of and for the future of their loved one. As my sweet MKJ celebrates this year – I stand with my family of colleagues and feel truly grateful and excited for this moment and where this conga line moves us all to in the future.

With much love and thanks, 

Jennifer