At Grade Tech, we know that true professionalism has no age limit, and it is never too late to pivot toward a career built on real consistency and grit. The best operators aren’t just those who can move dirt—they are the ones who show up with a humility that allows them to keep learning every single day on the job.
Today, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the three-year work anniversary of Heavy Equipment Operator Chris Salathiel.
A Late Career Pivot with No Regrets
Originally born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chris made the move to Utah 12 years ago to find a more family-oriented environment and better schools for his children. Over his working life, Chris has done just about everything you can think of in the construction field. He spent 12 years working with garage doors before getting a wild hair to test his skills in the oil fields for a year. From there, he transitioned into running a loader and operating equipment for pipe, storm drain, and curb-and-gutter work.
It was a scroll through Facebook that ultimately led him to his true professional home.
“I knew about the travel, the benefits, the business, and the volunteer and donation work from Grade Tech’s Facebook page, and it intrigued me,” Chris recalls. “It was late in life to change careers, but Grade Tech seemed like a better fit. The dirt industry offered more consistency.”
Three years later, that career gamble has paid off tenfold. Today, Chris is an integral part of our high-output civil infrastructure crews.
Embracing the Curveballs and the Camaraderie
If you ask Chris what a normal shift looks like at Grade Tech, he will tell you upfront that predictability does not exist in the dirt world.
“First and foremost, there is never a typical workday,” Chris says. “We have to change directions, locations, and gears all the time. But we do have safety meetings first and foremost. We get our game plan, figure out what we are doing, and know where our place is for the day. Everything runs pretty smooth after that. We have fun teaching the new guys, too—we all know what it was like to be new. I always try to have a good attitude, even if it is a hard day.”
That positive attitude is a cornerstone of Chris’s operating style. For him, the deep bond between the crew is what transforms hard, hot days into rewarding shifts.
“I love cracking up with the guys, even on the busy, stressful days,” Chris says. “We all laugh and get through the day together. Everyone has that camaraderie and friendship. It is like your second family away from home.”
The Power of a Humble Mindset
Despite his extensive background across multiple trades, Chris doesn’t believe in coasting on past experience. He approaches every site with the willingness to absorb new perspectives.
“As much as a person likes to think you know a lot of things, I find I learn something new every day, even from the younger guys,” Chris notes. “Being humble and open to learning brings a lot of value to me. I love being taught something new and being receptive to it. Even though that is hard for a lot of guys, I love it.”
According to Chris, that specific blend of humility and maximum effort is the secret sauce for long-term success in this industry.
“Pay attention when people are teaching you things,” Chris advises. “Pay attention to the do’s and don’ts, remember what you are taught, put in the effort, and go the extra mile. Give 110% with a good attitude. Take criticism with grace. You might think you know it all, but being humble will get you a lot further. The opportunity for growth is probably one of the best I have seen at Grade Tech, so if you embrace this mindset, you can go really far.”
Building a Career with Unbound Potential
For Chris, working in the heavy civil trades isn’t just a job—it’s a global passport.
“It is an awesome career path because no matter where you go in the world, you can run heavy equipment,” Chris explains. “The knowledge you learn you can take with you anywhere, work in hundreds of companies, and have a true career. The potential for growth is unbound. To be a part of building pivotal infrastructure is also very rewarding. There is a lot of innovation happening in the dirt world with GPS and machinery, and you can take it with you anywhere.”
While the travel required for high-spec utility projects means being away from his wife, his five kids (four girls and one boy), and his two dogs for up to three weeks at a time, Chris highlights that the trade rewards the sacrifice.
“The travel is hard, but I enjoy working out of town, and the pay and benefits are completely unheard of in this industry,” he says.
Looking down the road, Chris is excited to master the track hoe and the dozer as he continues moving up in the field with his sights set on a possible foreman position. When he isn’t in the seat of a machine, you can find him working on transforming his car into a true hot rod, riding his Harley-Davidson with his family, or smoking meat on the BBQ.
Surviving the Fight: A $1,000 Donation to the Pinky Swear Foundation
To celebrate Chris’s three-year milestone, Grade Tech is honored to make a $1,000 donation in his name to the Pinky Swear Foundation. This organization focuses entirely on providing immediate non-medical financial support to families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. By directly covering essentials like housing, utility bills, groceries, and fuel, the foundation ensures parents do not lose their homes or vehicles while their children are undergoing intensive treatment. This mission hits home deeply for Chris, who is a cancer survivor himself.
“I am a cancer survivor, and I wouldn’t wish that on any child,” Chris shares. “It’s horrible that they have to go through that before even knowing what life is about. I would be a hot mess if that ever happened to one of my kids.”
Thank you, Chris, for your unwavering positive attitude, your mentorship of the new guys on the crew, and the professional grit you bring to the Grade Tech team every single day. We are proud to have your family values and technical accuracy leading the charge on our job sites.
