Profile: Frank Fetty

When and where did your career in the fluid power industry start?
My career started in 1992 as a private in the U.S. Army working as a heavy equipment mechanic.

What is the most memorable moment in your fluid power career, and what did it teach you?
Seems every day creates a memorable moment, which teaches me there is always some way to make the design safer and stronger.

What do you feel is the most important achievement in the fluid power industry?
The most important achievement is the innovative safety engineered into the fluid power industry.

How and why did you get involved in the IFPS?
It started as a work requirement, but then I became astonished at all the training and knowledge available from one place. I am rather new to the IFPS only being a member for three years now with a MHM certification, but I’m jumping in with both feet to gain all the knowledge that I can retain and help grow the underground mining industry to the safest possible fluid power arrangements available.

Why do you feel the IFPS is important?
It’s important to keep the fluid power industry growing and working actively to make the industry a safer environment.

Where do you see the fluid power industry heading in the next 10 years?
I see the industry heading in a remote-access control site, operating like the drones of today. I see employees being in a safe environment using the equipment from office space instead of on the ground.

What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests?
My favorite hobby is coaching girls’ Fastpitch Softball and seeing their skills develop to be able to advance to the collegiate level. Then hunting and fishing, which runs a close second as I get older and less mobile.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I get more satisfaction out of watching young techs learn and succeed more than my own accomplishments.

• career
• ifps
• professional
• profile
• q and a