When it comes to ensuring our projects are executed with precision, integrity, and long-term value, Brian Carey, Director of Project Execution, is the one leading the charge. His journey into the material handling industry wasn’t planned, but it’s become a significant chapter in his career.
Brian brings a rare mix of technical knowledge, project insight, and people-centered leadership to every challenge. After serving in the Navy, Brian’s path eventually led him into the material handling industry and later to Spring Automation, where he found a focused opportunity to lead on the controls and electrical side of the business. “I started seeing manufacturing plants close in my hometown,” Brian recalls. “More distribution centers were opening, and I made a decision to seek out a role in the material handling industry. It’s served me well, and it’s an industry I didn’t even know existed until 2015.”
A Team-Driven Mindset
Ask Brian what drives him every day, and you’ll get a simple, but powerful answer: his team. “I genuinely enjoy the diversity, experience, and fellowship within my team. Managing different groups gives me a strong sense of what’s going on across the business, and it keeps me on my toes.”
It’s not just about managing tasks, though. For Brian, leadership is rooted in responsibility. “Being a leader means taking care of people, clearing roadblocks, and serving the company. I am a person who likes to improve things, so helping make small changes and adjustments is also something that keeps me thinking about what we can do next.”
Making a Measurable Impact
This level of collaboration is no accident. Brian prioritizes relationship-building with customers, maintaining transparency, and open communication to navigate challenges head-on. “When a customer has a direct line to me, it helps. Being able to have honest, direct conversations allows you to tackle the hard things."
Brian recalls a specific project, “Helping a customer arrive at a strong solution and having the opportunity to share my experience in material handling has been rewarding. They trusted us to contribute to decisions we don’t typically get to be a part of.”
What Customers Don’t See
One of the most critical phases of any project, Brian explains, happens before a single line is drawn: scope alignment. “Unfortunately, if the wish or requirement wasn’t documented, there is a good chance it was not captured. If we take time at the very beginning of the project to review all the expectations and thoughts, we can identify any gaps prior to work being completed. We are very customer-centric, and we strive to provide customers with what they want. We just need to know what that is.”
Time and money are constant pressures in Project Execution, and Brian has learned that changes in one will always affect the other. His team stays nimble and proactive, helping customers adapt without compromising on quality.
A Path Shaped by Purpose
Brian never set out to be a manager—he stepped back from leading people to focus on projects. But when the opportunity arose to fill a leadership gap, he stepped in for the good of the company. “Managing people is hard, harder than managing projects. Sometimes, being the best we can be for the company challenges us to step outside of what we desire. Being available to fill gaps and help where you have experience can be very rewarding and helpful for the company.”
Whether he's helping refine internal processes, guiding a project team, or strengthening customer relationships, Brian leads with honesty, adaptability, and a commitment to long-term success for our people, our customers, and the systems we build. For those just entering the field, Brian offers this advice: “Lean into the technical side of things. My experience has shown that people who are more technical tend to excel in this industry. Not just in your field, but if you can think deeper about issues or solutions, it can be a great benefit.”
Stay tuned to learn how the Spring Automation Project Execution team works behind the scenes and alongside you to ensure every detail is planned, coordinated, and delivered with precision. Learn more about our customer support and maintenance offerings.