and willing.” There was some chemistry between them as well; they have “never had an argument.” The company, according to Gillen, was, and is, a “wide open” business. “If there is work to be done, they roll up their sleeves and get it done.” Scerbak says Gillen was his mentor and a second father to him, giving him advice about business and about life. Today, Gillen sees Scerbak as a “polished professional,” and he is proud of his protégé. The young man had the capacity to learn about the business and, especially, to absorb the company’s attitude toward its customers. Gillen sums up that attitude as: “honor the individual.” Customers Comments Steve Colvin of Soil Solutions has worked with APF and Scerbak for many years with pile driving tips, points and splicing. He says whenever his company had a crisis, Scerbak would show up and help. He “cares about our company,” says Colvin. Mike Ratto, of Ratto Construction, has similar anecdotes about extraordinary service. He says Scerbak has met him at 6 a.m. in the parking lot of a shopping mall to bring “whatever I needed, so my crew would not be delayed on a job. Scerbak is the kind of person who would go to the warehouse to get whatever I needed and deliver it personally.” Ratto also appreciates Scerbak’s sense of humor as well as his dedication to customer service. DFI Beginnings APF was instrumental in starting the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI). In the early 70s, Dougherty, the head of APF, Hal Hunt, the company’s chief engineer, and others had the idea of bringing together contractors, engineers and suppliers in one Scerbak is active in DFI and other industry groups, but especially admires DFI’s global reach. venue. The intention was to discuss and exchange potential solutions to pile driving challenges. The initial conferences, called “Piletalks” were held near Clifton, N.J., but eventually spanned the entire U.S. The concept was an immediate success and attendance grew each year. After years, the original founders decided it should be a standalone organization, and DFI was incorporated in 1976. Scerbak is active in DFI and other industry groups, but especially admires DFI’s global reach. When he makes time to balance his work and the business of life, he and his wife enjoy going to the beach with their three adult children, at New Jersey’s Long Beach Island and Wildwood Crest. Staying with his company for 37 years says something good about loyalty, and about APF and the man. 62 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2016
