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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
In a day and time that many employees don’t spend many years at one specific place of employment, Don Frost is just one of a handful of exceptions as Frost recently wrapped up a 39-year career with the City of Elizabethton as he was recognized with a Proclamation from Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander. Director of Purchasing Greg Workman, and City Manager Daniel Estes.
Frost started working with the City of Elizabethton on February 24, 1995 beginning as a mechanic before being promoted to Fleet Maintenance Supervisor.
During his time of service, Frost has worked for 12 Mayors, eight City Managers, and three Purchasing Directors along with many city employees.
Frost was asked what changes he has seen in his time with the city.
“I have seen several city managers go through and I have changed out jobs seven times in my 39 years,” said Frost. “I started out working under Finance as a supervisor but ended under Purchasing.
“I have seen us go from 50 vehicles to 362 pieces of equipment coming through the shop that we work on. In the first 25 years of that, there were only two mechanics and a supervisor and now we have three mechanics and a supervisor.
“I have seen it go from fixing everything with a 1/2″ – 9/16ths” wrench and screwdriver to 1000’s of dollars worth of diagnostic equipment just to get you started on a repair.”
Frost said that working for the City of Elizabethton has been a good place to work and has been blessed to have people that have worked with him and helped him. He also has been able to call upon several supervisors above him and there weren’t any problems there as they all worked well together.
He added there were a few bumps in the road but it all worked out and everybody was able to move on.
Frost will be spending time with his wife Debbie during his retirement.
Workman had nothing but good things to say about Frost and his commitment to keeping the City of Elizabethton equipment running in great shape.
“He was a valuable asset and is going to be missed,” Workman said. “Anytime you have been with a municipality for that long, you are going to know everything that you need to know about vehicles and equipment and he has a lot of knowledge and experience that we are going to miss.
“He has done a good job of getting the people under him prepared and ready to go that next step. He will be missed.”