SEP News, Notes & Quotes

January 27, 1993

Issue No. 4

EMPLOYEE FOCUS                       Wayne Peplow

Wayne Peplow, a 3rd shift Maintenance foreman in Assembly Operations, gives us a unique glimpse of his dual-career life – both as employee and customer of Caterpillar engines.

Wayne's 30 years began as a Co-op. Early in his career, he was drafted and had the opportunity to attend OCS and graduate as an Army Artillery Officer. Besides being a Maintenance Foreman since 1976, he worked for Tire Development and the Tire Plant for 12 years. Through the G.I. Bill and Bradley night school, Wayne obtained his B.A. degree in 1973.

Wayne is married to Jane, a Registered Nurse, with 3 children of which they are quite proud. Their daughter, Julie, graduated Cum Laude with a Masters in Business from Western Illinois University last year. Son, Douglas, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western and now attends North Carolina State in Nuclear Engineering. The youngest, Andrew, is attending Western on a four-year WIU Foundation Scholarship studying microbiology.

Wayne's 2nd career is with the Fire Service. Starting in West Peoria in 1963, he was appointed a 2nd Assistant Chief before moving to Dunlap. In 1975, he joined the Dunlap Fire Department and Rescue Squad. Wayne has served the last 10, of his 17 at Dunlap, as District Chief and Fire Marshal. Wayne is an EMT and has trained as a fire investigator.

Wayne had significant input in the decision to purchase Cat engines in the last 2 fire trucks for Dunlap. The first was a Heavy Duty Rescue Truck with a 3208 Cat engine on a ‘86 Kodiak chassis. He claims there have been no mechanical problems to date – “it keeps running and running”. The second truck (delivered in July of ‘90) was a Pierce Pumper with a 3176 Cat Diesel. It was the first 3176 designed into a fire truck. Because it was the first, it has had several problems. The first year, under full warranty, Cat worked closely with Dunlap to update and make all necessary changes. There have only been a few problems since the warranty has ended. Wayne has investigated a possible change in Cat warranties for firetruck engines – these changes would benefit the customer.

Wayne has a total of 6 trucks at the fire department. Besides the last 2 with Cat engines, Dunlap has a ‘65 International pumper, a ‘70 Chevy tanker, a ‘75 Chevy backup rescue, and an ‘82 International pumper all with gasoline engines.

Thanks Wayne!                                  wp/lh

“SEP News, Notes, & Quotes” is a bi-weekly publication for Caterpillar Inc.

Editor: Linda Hummel, Facility Engineering