Eric McDonald is our dedicated Maintenance Technician, having been with us for over eight years. Eric’s passion for nature and the outdoors led him to Quest, Inc., where he started his journey at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird.
An Inspiring Start at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird
Located on 36 wooded acres surrounding beautiful Lake Prevatt, Camp Thunderbird offers children and adults with developmental disabilities a classic summer camp experience.
Eric served as a housekeeper and groundskeeper at Camp Thunderbird. However, anytime the maintenance team needed help, Eric was there to assist in any way he could, making him an invaluable member early on. Eventually, he was asked to join the maintenance team full-time.
Transitioning from Camp Thunderbird to Maintenance
His role in the maintenance department now involves caring for the buildings and ensuring everything runs smoothly. From air conditioning to electrical and plumbing, Eric handles it all with ease. He is also responsible for painting, repairing holes in walls, changing AC filters, light bulbs, and other routine maintenance items.
“I love that we keep things in working order for the clients because everyone wants their house to work like it should,” Eric says. “It feels good to help people work and live comfortably.”
Caring for Clients Beyond Buildings
Apart from his technical skills, Eric’s dedication to our clients is commendable. He believes in treating our clients with respect and making them feel special.
“[Our clients] have developmental disabilities, but they’re people just like we are. They’re not children unless we’re dealing with kids’ [programming],” he says. “So, talk to them like adults. Ask them how their day is going. Be friendly and express interest in their work.”
This rule of thumb has allowed Eric to make meaningful connections with the people he serves. Eight years later, he still gets excited when clients recognize him from his days at Camp Thunderbird. He loves seeing the joy and excitement on their faces when they talk about their upcoming trips to camp and their hope to see him around.
Always Embodying Quest’s Core Values
“Camp is where I first started; it is my first love. I love the outdoors and experiencing it with clients,” he says with a smile. “It’s also nice when they’re happy about something you’ve repaired in their room. I remember one client came out of his room after I repaired shelving in the closet, and the camp lead said, ‘Hey Lamar, what’s going on? Is your closet fixed?’ He just put a big smile on his face, and it felt good to see that.”
Eric’s commitment to his work and our clients aligns with Quest’s core values of being passionate about helping people, respecting all people, being solutions-oriented, striving for excellence and taking pride in our work. He is an integral part of our team; we are fortunate to have him.