Graduate Spotlight: Mike Rodgers

Mike was born with a great work ethic and a chainsaw in his hand. Working on his family’s Christmas tree farm, he has carried around this tool for cutting own trees for almost as long as he can remember. At 14, he followed his father’s footsteps and began his service with Scott Township Fire Department. His gentle smile hasn’t changed much since graduating in 2003; still humble, Mike Rodgers reluctantly tells his story.

On the day after graduation, Mike began working for Slippery Rock Materials Inc. earning a competitive wage with benefits and has been there ever since; it was a natural progression having worked with similar materials as he studied Masonry under the instruction of the late Gary Sperdute. Mike has remained at the sand and gravel plant working his way up to now being an Heavy Equipment Operator.

It hasn’t always been easy for Mike. On a particularly tough day in high school, Mr. Sperdute pulled Mike aside and had a “sit down son” conversation with him. During this heart-to-heart, Sperdute told Mike, “Nobody owes you anything. You have a prime opportunity to do something great. Take this opportunity.”

Throughout his life, Mike has taken the advice given by his mentor to heart. After seeing the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfire in 2016, that destroyed 17,136 acres, caused $500 million in damages, and killed 14 injuring 190 more, he knew what he had to do; he couldn’t do much about the wind that hindered those wildfires, but he could do something about their lack of manpower. In 2017, he took the opportunity to help fight wildland fires across the nation by completing a few more certifications and joining the District 8 Wildland Firefighters as a sub-contractor for the Federal Government. Since then, he has fought wildland fires as far away as Idaho and Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming and as close to right here in Eastbook, Lawrence County, PA. Thankfully, his supervisors at his day-to-day job realize the importance of this type of work and permit him the 3 weeks from time-to-time that he might be away

Working as a Wildland FireFighter is a dangerous but rewarding job. The numerous certifications and years of experience have helped Mike prepare as much as possible, but fire has a life of its own and doesn’t care how many hours its foe might have sent training.

When considering the additional 40 hours to earn his latest certification: Wildland Fire Chain Saws, Mike chuckles at the thought. “I’ve been carrying a chain saws and cutting down trees around the farm ever since I was big enough to hold the darn thing, but now I have the paperwork to prove it.” All kidding aside, this state certification will help him serve as a firefighter in a more expanded capacity both here in Scott Township — now as the Assistant Chief — and across the nation.

Mike states that though the extra pay is nice, the reward comes in the helping. “When the residents post signs that say, ‘Thank you for saving our homes,’ or ‘God bless,’ it is humbling. That a person as little as I am in New Castle could make a difference — I’m reminded of the advice Mr. Sperdute passed to me so long ago: ‘Nobody owes me anything. This is my chance to do something’.”

And do something he has done. Well-done, Mike Rodgers. We’re proud of you!