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THPRD's talented electrician Larry Faulkner is the wizard of Tualatin Hills
01/11/2010
Larry Faulkner's many years as a master electrician have proved invaluable for the Park District.
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District's work force is filled with talented individuals who bring years of experience and skill to their positions.
No one exemplifies this more than Larry Faulkner.
Faulkner is the “wizard” of Tualatin Hills. So named by his colleagues in the Maintenance Department, Faulkner’s decades as a master electrician have provided a wealth of knowledge that has saved the district and its patrons thousands of dollars over his 12-year career with THPRD.
Faulkner’s experience as an electrician goes back much further. The Korean War veteran was born in California, but began his career in the Midwest in the 1940s. After being drafted, the military uncovered his abilities with all things wired and put him to work in Korea from 1949-53.
His days in the service over, Faulkner made his way west in 1955, settling in Portland. Over the years he worked for numerous electrical companies, but spent the bulk of his professional career with Multnomah County (23 years).
Faulkner, not willing to ride into the sunset after retirement, came to work for THPRD in 1997 on a part-time basis.
“I would rather wear out than rust out,” said Faulkner, who likes to keep people guessing about his age. “By looking for ways to improve the job-related items around here and accomplish tasks that people need done just makes you feel more youthful.”
THPRD Building Maintenance Supervisor Steve Ortner is one of Faulkner’s greatest champions.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how valuable Larry is to this Park District,” Ortner said. “He has literally saved us thousands of dollars with some of the electrical engineering ideas he has come up with.
“I may be his supervisor in title, but I’ve learned more from Larry than anyone in my career,” Ortner added. “He is truly amazing at what he does, and on top of that he is an amazing person.”
Indeed, it is Faulkner’s kindness and dedication to his job that has earned the respect of those he works with.
“He is an old-school professional,” Ortner said. “He’s very knowledgeable but very generous with his time and respectful. He gives you everything he has every day. And what he has to give is considerable.”
For his part, Faulkner said it’s simply a matter of honest responsibility.
“To tell you the truth, I think it comes down to that in my youth I was asked to do more responsible things than normal teenagers would be asked to do,” he said. “The old saying was, ‘accept results, but not excuses.’ That’s been one of the mottos in my life: to get things done … accomplish the task that was assigned to me and improve on it.”
Ortner has learned to trust Faulkner.
“There have been maybe three times over the years where I’ve doubted him, and he’s made me look like a fool every time,” Ortner said. “I’ve been at the Park District 25 years. I would put Larry at the top of the pyramid of anyone I’ve every worked with when it comes to ability … easily.”
“Oh, I don’t know about all that,” said Faulkner when told of the respect of his colleagues. “But my method here is your best is hardly good enough for you. I tell the supervisors, ‘the team’s here to help you and we’ll find a solution no matter what it takes.’ ”
If, by definition, part of a treasure’s value is found in its rarity, than Faulkner certainly qualifies, Ortner said.
“Larry is one in a zillion … no doubt about that.”
