Get to know IPF: Salem Mangles

Feb. 12, 2019

Salem Mangles began his career around the age of twenty. “I got into this when I was young and decided then I wanted to be really good at it and create a living from it, so I applied myself to the trade and learned as much as possible.” 

Mangles has worked at MSU as a refrigeration mechanic for over 12 years, in four different shop locations. His job duties consist of documenting equipment issues, taking trouble calls for repair requests, preventative maintenance on equipment and other time-intensive repairs. 

His shop operates on a seven-man rotation, each refrigeration mechanic on call for a week, in addition to their normal hours. “We are often called in for emergencies. It is not unheard of to be called in two or three times a week,” Mangles said. “In the summer when it is really hot we could be here every day and night and all weekend.” 

Mangles enjoys the challenge of tackling big equipment issues that have gone unsolved for some time. “For example, for years the Diagnostics Center had issues with their air conditioners keeping up and cycling from one to the other,” Mangles said. “I observed the two large chillers during a summer season, and was then able to formulate a plan.” He is also passionate about customer service, solving problems and developing positive relationships. 

Outside of work, he trains versatile hunting dogs. To be considered a versatile hunting dog, the dog must be able to point a pheasant, track a rabbit, retrieve a duck and blood-track big game (such as bears or deer). “The process usually takes a year at minimum, however it is always a work in progress,” Mangles said. He currently has one trained dog, and one undergoing training. 

Mangles has three children age 10, 12 and 13 who are involved in multiple sports, and a 100-pound African Spurred Tortoise named Charlie. In the summertime, Charlie lives in Mangles’ fenced backyard. To sleep, he burrows underground, creating a seven-foot-deep, angled hole to avoid detection. In the wintertime, Charlie hibernates in a heated garage. 

Mangles got the tortoise for his wife as a wedding gift. “I asked my parents to pick up a tortoise for her when they were in Florida, as there are a lot of places that sell them there. I was thinking they were going to get a red-footed tortoise, which usually only weigh around 20 pounds. However, they brought back Charlie, who is now 100-pounds and can live up to 100 years.” Charlie will eventually be handed off to one of Mangles’ children. 

Mangles’ advice to other IPF employees; “Time respects no person, so enjoy yourself even in the midst of struggles, because it goes fast.”