Join us as we celebrate the retirement of Bill Shreves at Mayfran International. Bill Shreves has had a long forty-one-year career with Mayfran International that began with his position as a Welder/Fabricator. Bill would work as a Welder/Fabricator from 1984 to 1989 before taking a position as Production Foreman in Main Bay spanning from 1989 to 2009. Bill then took over as Plant Manager until 2018 when he was promoted to Vice President of Operations, which is his current position at Mayfran. Throughout his remarkable tenure, Bill has been instrumental in modernizing our manufacturing processes, improving operational efficiency, and mentoring countless employees who have gone on to successful careers within the company. His leadership has helped Mayfran maintain its competitive edge in the industry. Bill’s technical expertise, combined with his exceptional people skills, created a workplace culture focused on innovation, quality, and teamwork. Bill has earned the admiration of colleagues at all levels of the organization. As we celebrate his well-deserved retirement, we not only recognize his professional achievements but also the lasting relationships he has built over these four decades. Please join us in honoring Bill’s extraordinary career and wish him well in his next chapter.
Enjoy this questionnaire we held with Bill regarding his retirement and time at Mayfran:
When asked about what working these positions meant to Bill, he responded with “I was able to realize my full potential by continually growing and learning. I was not afraid to try new things, and I was fortunate to have a mentor that guided me and challenged me along the way. He encouraged me to keep learning new things, continue my education, and eventually earn my degree. That allowed me to make the final move in my career.”
Bill has created many great memories during his tenure here at Mayfran. He recalls his favorite memory being the period when Mayfran didn’t have all the fancy equipment that it does today. “I think back to my first 10 years here. We built really large equipment back then. No Machine Tool products for the most part. Huge conveyors, platforms and chutes etc. and there were no CAD drafting computers. No computers of any kind. No Mig Welders. No CNC Machine Tools. No CNC press brakes. We worked off hand drawn cut sheets and blueprints. We used cutting torches, sledgehammers, and nibblers. It was really old school fabricating back then” says Bill.
Moreover, working at Mayfran for as long as Bill has allowed him to learn many skills and lessons along his journey. He explains how it’s never been a solo effort, and that working with others leads to greater outcomes, “You cannot do anything on your own. As much as you may think you can accomplish things, the fact is it takes a full team effort. I learned that I was rarely the smartest guy in the room and that if you empower people, the outcome will be substantially better than if you try to go it alone.”
Next, we asked Bill: What advice would you give to someone who has a similar role? Bill answered: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and find someone to help you along the way. Having someone to lean on and confide in is key.”
We then asked Bill what he plans on doing upon entering retirement. “My wife and I plan on golfing, playing pickleball, and traveling, including to our 3 happy places: Las Vegas, Disney World, and Myrtle Beach. My kids and grandkids will also keep us busy. My 2 daughters and their families; including 3 grandkids and a 4th on the way.”
Once again, we’d like to wish Bill Shreves a happy retirement and thank him for all that he has done for Mayfran and our employees.