Mammoth Restoration has such an amazing talented and hard-working team. Matt “Patch” Patchcoski out of our Allentown, PA office has been with us a little over a year and has been recently promoted to a Mitigation Project Manager role. Matt’s hard work and team-first attitude has been great to watch as he’s gained so much industry knowledge in a short period of time. One thing that sets Patch apart is his ability to relate to customers as they are going through the unthinkable. Over the past year, Matt’s name has come up in more 5-star reviews, thank-you notes, and customer surveys than any other team member.
To say that the future for Matt is bright in this industry would be an understatement. Patch is the type of team member anyone would beg for to be a part of their branch. Please join us as we congratulate Matt on his promotion by learning a little more about him and his time at Mammoth.
Working At Mammoth:
How long have you been working at Mammoth?
I started working at Mammoth in March of 2022
What was it that intrigued you to apply to Mammoth?
The Mammoth Logo & the story behind Turk and the company. Turk comes from a large family, was raised on a teachers salary, and is really big on culture. Prior to taking the big leap to work with Mammoth after my last employer closed its doors, my wife Ali & I took some time to review our options. My wife is an amazing teacher of 18 years, and my children, Maya age 13, Grayson age 10, love their school and where we live, so selling our home was a last resort.
After reviewing all the Mammoth Website literature, the success stories of so many other Mammoth employees, & online Google/Yelp Reviews, we decided together to put it in God’s hands. 12 months later, we couldn’t be happier.
What was your previous work experience prior to joining Mammoth?
Prior to working at Mammoth, I was a Certified Masters Crisis Interventionist & Emergency Mental Health Delegate for Berks County, PA. I spent almost 12 years in this 3rd shift position & enjoyed almost every bit of what I got to do.
Prior to being a Crisis Interventionist, I was a Special Education Teacher for KidsPeace in Temple, PA for 5 years & ran an Expressive Therapy Program during the summertime.
What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in your position?
For me, Passion, Persistence and Self-Discipline are the most important attributes. Those whom are passionate about their work generally produce better results and live more fulfilling lives. Being persistent teaches us to be brave, take chances, and how to get up quicker when we fall. Self-discipline… I think this one speaks for itself. But, we are all born to take on our own journey. Opportunities are endless for each of us, whether it be our first Ironman 70 miler in July or becoming the next CEO. With the right amount of self-discipline we can all achieve that next level of greatness!
How do you define your success personally and professionally?
Both my personal & professional success is tied to my family, my friends, & previous employers. My family household growing up was filled with love, support, and God. We grew up right next to a church, and my parents still live there today. My friends always encouraged me to seek more out of life & take advantage of the opportunities available to every one of us. College was difficult at times due to having to work full time & attending classes full time, but friends & family carried me through.
Today, I attribute my professional success to hard work paying off & my ability to rebound after failure
What is your professional background prior to arriving at Mammoth?
Mammoth is the first mitigation job I’ve had. For the last several years, I’ve done many side construction jobs, such as flooring, drywall, painting, and furniture building.
Working for a company that adheres to industry standards and best practices of IICRC do you feel that sets us apart from the other restoration companies?
Yes, I do believe that IICRC practices & standards set us apart from other restoration companies. However, what really sets us apart is “How” we apply these standards in the field and helping our customers understand the “Why” behind them.
What is your ultimate career goal in the restoration industry?
Ultimate Goal….Not quite sure I have this all figured out just yet. Right now I’m just laser-focused on growing & learning to better my chances of moving up within the company.
Customer Experience
How do you get so many 5-star reviews? What are you doing differently?
One of the most important things for me is making sure the customer knows they are important, that they are understood, they are heard, and that their property will be respected 100% of the time. Communication is a must in what we do.
What is your approach when dealing with a customer in crisis? How do you make them feel you got this?
When dealing with anyone in Crisis, not just a customer, it’s important we know that they are being heard. Once we are at a point where the customer has vented and is willing to listen to us, we should recap their concerns, explain to them or work out a plan on how to possibly fix the issue at hand, and bring in additional resources if needed.
And…If we are wrong, don’t be afraid to admit it. We all make mistakes. How we capitalize on those mistakes dictates our future moves.
The Allentown branch is relatively new-what would you attribute to the success and growth of Mammoth Restoration in the Lehigh Valley?
Communication, Leadership, and following through on your promises. I have a strong team, I believe in my team, and where we have the opportunity to take this office.
In your eyes, what’s been the most rewarding part of working at Mammoth?
THE NEW OFFICE WE JUST MOVED INTO!! THANKS RYAN STROHM for being the closer on the deal. And of course the awesome support, feedback, phone calls, emails, texts, etc. from soo many Mammoth-Landers throughout the company.
If you were in charge of hiring a team to work with you what skills would they need to be on team “Patch”
Team Patch – I do like the sound of this one. Things that I look for would be someone that is passionate about their work, is hard working, responsible, independent, willing to make sacrifices, willing to learn, able to take on constructive criticism, but also willing to give it back.
Any tips or advice for new Team members that are coming on board?
We each control our own destiny. To achieve greatness, you’ll have to make some sacrifices, face failures, and avoid blaming others for mistakes. Keep your head down and drive through the walls to maintain the “A” player status. For me, being a “B” player is just not good enough, hopefully your journey will be the same.
What’s one thing — either industry-related or not — you learned in the last month?
Patience is everything & with continued great efforts come great rewards!
Social Media:
Since being at Mammoth, you created a LinkedIn Profile and have been very active. What do you attribute to your recent desire to network through Social Media?
Social media is a huge part of this industry & now for me as well. In less than 12 months, the contacts I’ve gained, the information I’ve learned, and jobs I’ve been given, shows how important media can be. Social Media also further reinforces who we are as a company & what we can do for others at a moment’s notice, such as in Florida.
You also recently won a CORE Perks Online giveaway — tell us about how you came to enter and what you won.
Through use of Social Media, I was able to connect & now adamantly follow the CORE network. While reviewing some of their website postings, I came across the contest, entered my name, and won! These bags just arrived & I will be sharing them with others in the days to come.
Florida:
You were sent down to Florida with the CAT Team after Hurricane Ian, how would you describe that experience?
Once I heard that Mammoth would potentially be sending crews down to Florida, I immediately threw my name into the discussion of going down there. Being that I was only a Mammoth employee for 6 months, I knew this was something I had to do if I were to set myself up for future success. Since graduating in 2005 from Penn State (WE…ARE!!!), I’ve spent my time helping anyone I could. So Florida for me was just one more opportunity to help those in desperate need.
Even though I was only in Florida for two weeks, it was the best career choice I’ve made. The learning experience, the Mammoth Employees I worked alongside day in and day out, and the Florida residents made the trip perfect. I have to give a BIG THANK YOU to Jake Hall, Vinny McCroy, Tyler Becker, and Jamie Belotti for every little piece of advice, support, and constructive guidance you gave to me. Day one in Florida was extremely nerve-racking for me. However, with Tyler & Jake as everyday supports, I quickly settled in. Their belief in my success & reinforcing words of “You got this Patch,” got me through! Thanks Fellas!!
What was the most exciting part of Florida?
Long 20-hour shifts & sleeping in the truck in between shifts…lol. Seriously though, the people I worked with. It’s because of those I’ve been working around, not just Florida, that I want to achieve more & do more for this company. Jake you’re a cool cat & I’m glad we got to be roomies & build out a friendship. I look forward to where we all go in the next year or two.
Have you ever witnessed such destruction and devastation in all your years in construction?
Florida was by far the worst destruction I’ve been a part of.
What was the craziest thing you saw during your time down there? After seeing the images can you tell me what your thoughts are when you see a boat in a tree?
While driving down to Florida, the craziest thing I saw was a boat into a house. My mind was probably blank in that moment, but then quickly went into prayer for all those that went & are still going through the recovery process.
With access to things being so limited in the early stages of a catastrophe like Hurricane Ian, What’s one thing you learned that you take for granted since you had to go without?
Realizing that everything or anyone can be taken away from us at any moment. No power, no water, no gas for vehicles
What did you learn or benefit from most while working in Florida?
To rely on your team, be confident, & be okay with screwing up. Just learn from your mistakes & be better next time
The Fun Stuff
Tell me what you think your greatest Strength is and why?
Communication & being a team player. Regardless of position or years doing something, I’m never one to say “I know everything” or “My way is better.” Being a true team player means being open to the suggestions of others, being respectful of others, and getting more done with fewer mistakes.
Superman has his kryptonite, can you tell us what your kryptonite is?
Time lost – My time is a very valuable thing for me. When I feel I’ve “Wasted” time, I have a tendency to get angry with myself & get in my own way. I try not to let other things (Outside of my control) get in my way of success. When this happens however, I’m usually able to confide in my wife and/or co-workers to get myself quickly re-focused.
You’ve been a sharpshooter with some great photos of recent jobs — do you have a passion for photography?
I wouldn’t say “Sharpshooter,” that would be Mr. Bennett 😊. But I do enjoy photography when I happen to get the chance. Just happy to help share my Mammoth Experience.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would re-verse time to go back to the days of holding my son & daughter in my arms.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Do you have any hobbies or passions that you enjoy?
While away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family & my pup Amber. I enjoy mountain climbing, biking, road & trail running. When I get the chance to travel, we enjoy visiting Maine & the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I used to work for Walt Disney World. I was a character entertainer & performed parades, shows, and sets as Goofy, Woody, Baloo, The Beast, Captain Hook, & Tigger.
