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Employee Spotlight! Freddy Guillermo

It's October, and Halloween will be here before you know it. Before the month ends, we're spotlighting an employee who's influenced so many of the installers we have out on the road. Meet October's Employee Spotlight and Abt's Custom Kitchens Trainer, Freddy Guillermo! Freddy is a walking encyclopedia of how to do just about everything, from installing luxury appliances to making more complex home modifications to ensure that a client's dream kitchen becomes a reality. After over 20 years at Abt, he spends his time sharing that wealth of knowledge with new hires who quickly become seasoned installers with his help.
Learning On His Own
Before Freddy started here at Abt, he worked in construction. That's where he learned the bulk of his craft, with skills like drywalling, painting, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, HVAC ductwork, framing, decking, fencing, wood finishing, and tiling. In short, Freddy could build an entire home with everything he knows how to do, and that's before he even started at Abt.
Being the New Guy at Abt
"My journey with Abt began when someone from the accounting department introduced me to the company. On my very first day, I was sent out on an installer's run with Al C., a master grill installer. We installed seven grills on my first day. Under his mentorship, I quickly learned the ropes of high-end and regular grill installations, as well as service diagnostics." Thanks to Al, Freddy worked to navigate Chicagoland with map books (before GPS) and learned valuable tips from his new mentor, as well as how to problem-solve on the job.
"After about 3-5 months of training with Al C., I transitioned to working in big trucks. My next mentor was Billy Govis, who had also been trained by Al C. We handled complex gas setups without plumbers, solving challenges on the fly. Within a few years, I earned my own truck and began running routes throughout Chicago in areas like Rogers Park, Lincoln Park and downtown, often completing 15-17 stops per day without rescheduling." Freddy was known for his high standards and a true focus on customer satisfaction. As he grew as an installer, he trained new helpers assigned to him. He helped shape their skills over five-month training periods. Several years later, when Abt began selling generators, he was among the first people trained to install them, a role he held for 10-12 months.
Moving to The Custom Kitchens Department
Freddy had certainly proved his prowess in everything home-related. Nine years later, he transitioned to the Custom Kitchens department. He credits his mentors here for helping him become the man he is today: "I learned from some of the best in the business elite installers like Jason P., Bob F., Bart S., Rich M., Rich R., Mike G., Ellis B., Ken D., Frank C., James S. and others who helped sharpen my expertise in high-end installations. After just seven months, I earned my own run, where I continued improving upon the techniques I had been taught."
Our Custom Kitchens department is where the pressure comes in for our installers. This is where clients work with us to build their true dream kitchen, and unlike regular installations at Abt, these projects are more in-depth. From replacing a built-in refrigerator to doing a complete kitchen appliance gut, Freddy and others in the department work tirelessly to make sure the appliances clients want are what they get (and that they're installed correctly). This is an area where Freddy truly excelled, helping clients to achieve their dream homes seamlessly.
In recent years, he has taken it a step further, accepting the role of teaching the essentials of high-end appliance installations to Abt employees who were willing to learn. He ensures that they learn the right way under his guidance. "Many of these individuals are now running their own routes and excelling."ÃÂ
Training a Generation
Passing on a lifetime of experience isn't easy, but if anyone can do it, it's Freddy. We asked him more about the training program he's developed for the latest generation of Abt's Custom Kitchens installers, and he went into detail. "As a trainer for the last three years, I feel that the program is running smoothly. I start from scratch with everyone, teaching them how to use hand tools, then power tools, and how to be honest. I stress that there are no dumb questions and that everyone makes mistakes.

We asked Freddy his favorite part about training new employees, and he smiled. "When I teach, I see myself back in the day. I had no one to teach me." Instead, he had to learn on the job. But at Abt, we have our own in-house training facility faux kitchens, basements and even garage doors where our soon-to-be installers learn how to install products and solve problems as if they were in a customer's home. While Freddy pushes them hard, he stresses that it's important to have patience as a trainer or teacher. "If you have no patience, they won't learn. And I say 'Don't just have a plan A. Have a plan A through Z.'"
"Reflecting on my early days, I recall how I barely spoke English when I first started at Abt, but I let my work speak for itself. I was inspired by Bob Abt's words during driver meetings. He would say 'Let your work do the talking.' I have always strived to give my best, working hard without needing to say much."
Freddy's Advice To New Hires
October's Employee Spotlight has some advice for new employees in turn, and he tries to keep it simple like Bob Abt did. be a follower, be a student. Don't wish it was easy, wish you were better. Learn more skills, be your own boss, and don't let anyone drag you down. Be accountable for your actions, learn from your mistakes and from others mistakes, and always compete with yourself to become a better person. Set goals."
Not Just An Employee Spotlight
In Freddy's multiple decades here at Abt, he has been awarded many accolades. "My proudest moments include being named Star Employee, Employee of the Year, and more recently the Employee Spotlight recognition." He's humble, too. "I'd like to express my deep gratitude to the Abt family, who have been supportive with my growth both personally and professionally over the years."
The experienced installer and trainer has earned several certifications along the way, including his electrical license, OSHA 10 certification and home inspector certification. He is currently about to complete his EPA certification.
When Freddy's not at work, he continues doing what he does best woodworking and building things like cabinets and furniture the old-school way. He's learning to use older tools like hand planes, brace drills and more. Freddy's having fun refurbishing things like old potbelly stoves and building motorcycles, too. Our custom kitchens trainer also enjoys hunting deer and small game birds, the perfect activities for fall.