This “Faces of ECI” profile focuses on Gary Zehring, a graphics production technician who has been with Exhibit Concepts since 1988. From printing to volunteer firefighting, Gary is opening up in our latest “Faces of ECI” profile.
When did your career at Exhibit Concepts begin?
I started with ECI in October of 1988.
Explain your role.
I am a graphics technician here at Exhibit Concepts. My role is to make sure the graphics are completed, on to the product, and out the door.
What do you like most about Exhibit Concepts?
I like working here, especially with the people throughout my career. Not only the people that work here, but also the clients that are happy once we’re completed with a project. I think that’s the satisfaction that I get from being here is that satisfaction from the client.
Describe your most impactful moment at Exhibit Concepts.
There have been several throughout the years, being here as long as I’ve been. The Computer History Museum, The Pacific War Museum, football hall of fame. All of those come to mind, but we’ve worked on a great deal of projects throughout my career here and I’ve enjoyed that challenge and the satisfaction when the client is happy when we were done.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE...
What are your secret talents?
My side interest, and I guess I wouldn’t say it’s a side interest, but a special interest to me, I have been a volunteer firefighter for 47 years. Now I am into the junior firefighters as well. I have been a chairman for the Ohio State Firefighters Association now for 7 years. We have a program we hold down at Hocking College, here in Ohio, for youth from 14- to 18-years-old. My passion for that has been a long, driven passion, for our community and now we’re trying to get young people interested in that same profession.
What charitable cause is most important to you?
My interest is in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. It is in Emmitsburg, Maryland. We are now doing a climb, this is the 6th year for that climb, it’ll be held at UD Arena. It is a climb for 9/11, to remember the 343 firefighters that have died and also the police officers that perished at the time of the 9/11 disaster.
Favorite movie?
Backdraft would have to be my favorite movie, seeing that it does tie in a great deal to volunteer firefighting. It’s an interest and it’s also something I enjoy watching.
Favorite food?
I don’t really have a favorite food. I’m one that likes to try different types of dishes, to say that I have one in particular would not be right. I like the challenge of having different types of food.
What is your ideal place to live?
Where I’m at. I enjoy where I live, especially with my community. So I’d have to say at home.
Who would you want to have dinner with? Past or present.
It’s important to me that it’s not one particular person. I enjoy having dinner with different people. They all have different ideas and things that they can bring out in themselves. No matter who I have dinner with, it’s always an interest to me to find out interests that other people have and what they can contribute to life.
