Name: Donnie Shempert
Location: Atlanta, GA
Role: Master Tech
As part of our ongoing series highlighting the voices of our service technicians, we spoke with Donnie Shempert, a Master Technician with 11 years of experience at Ingersoll Rand. Known for his sharp troubleshooting skills and dedication to customer success, Donnie brings energy, expertise, and a deep sense of purpose to every service call. In this Q&A, Donnie shares his perspective on the role, common challenges in the field, and the impact of preventative maintenance.
Q: How long have you been with Ingersoll Rand?
A: 11 years.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about your job?
A: The excitement and challenge of troubleshooting machines daily. Helping customers so they can continue to do their jobs well and don’t have to worry about the machines. I get to go to a new place almost every day and make a difference.
Q: Can you describe a common challenge customers face in the field, and how you help solve it?
A: Low air pressure is the most common problem. It causes their equipment to not run properly and then the plant can't produce. I solve the low pressure most often by looking at the compressor's performance; it is either pumping enough air or it's not. Troubleshooting the machine helps me see why it's not producing sufficient air pressure and whether the issue is from the plant side or has nothing to do with the compressor. The plant could have an air leak before it even gets to the machine.
Q: What’s one product or service feature that customers often misunderstand or overlook?
A: Many customers delay investing in service plans, hoping to save money by skipping routine upkeep. Unfortunately, this often leads to unexpected downtime and urgent service calls when equipment fails. At that point, getting systems back online isn’t always a quick fix. With preventative maintenance, you’re not just protecting your equipment, you’re protecting productivity, avoiding stress, and gaining peace of mind.
Q: Do you have any closing thoughts, reflections, or insights that you think would help others better understand your role or IR’s impact?
A: So many people don't realize the importance of an air compressor until it's not working. Our jobs are going out in the field and truly making an impact by keeping these plants running so they, in turn, can do their job. In my career, the 3 most important things to keep a plant running are power, water and the air compressors. While our work may happen behind the scenes, it’s absolutely essential to keeping production moving. We’re proud to be a vital part of that success, even if we’re not always in the spotlight.