Brian Durfee is celebrating 40 years working in the Service Department with International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®).  Born in Elmira, NY and then transplanted to Mississippi as a young man. Shortly after his high school graduation, Brian decided to move to Louisiana and got a job working on air hammers at CONMACO Inc. just down the road from the ICE® Belle Chasse Branch location. While at CONMACO, Mr. Durfee met Dennis Gigoux, who helped direct his interest in doing service work. A few years later, in January 1984, he met Bill Spatz and soon found himself working out in the ICE® yard doing things like washing bolts and learning how to put the equipment together. Jumping headfirst into his role, Brian was a sponge, learning about foundation equipment and how it was used, how to operate the crane and how to build and service the various equipment.  During his 40 years with ICE®, Mr. Durfee has learned just about every facet of the field from Parts to Service and everything in between; stating that he "still strives to learn something new every day".   

As the Branch Service Manager for ICE® Belle Chasse, Brian has hired and trained pretty much everyone that has come through the service team in Louisiana, including Michael Gregory, Regional Sales & Service Manager almost 20 years ago. Mr. Gregory has the utmost respect for his former leader and stated that he "couldn't have asked for a better boss, mentor or leader as a young man coming into this industry". The years they spent working together have carried Michael through all the challenges he has seen throughout his career, and he knows that if he (or anyone else) gets in a bind, Mr. Durfee will be there to help.  Brian describes his role as Branch Manager as "very rewarding" and takes pride in the fact that his branch runs like a well-oiled machine. He works hard, appreciates others who do so and strongly feels that the trades are the backbone of our country. He is immensely proud to be a part of something so monumental and important. Advice to those starting out in the industry, "Never give up, don't quit, don't stop trying. Learn as much as you can and apply what you learn". 

When discussing the biggest challenges he has faced during his time with ICE®, Brian mentioned that working and living during and after Hurricane Katrina was certainly the most difficult both personally and professionally. Not only was the branch devastated and standing under 7' (ft) of water, but he also lost his entire service team. His home, the homes of the rest of the ICE® team and the entire community in general were annihilated. Mr. Durfee is very appreciative and grateful of his entire branch and how they were all able to push through and make it through that shared event, stating he was "thankful for his ICE® family and the community." 

Being a good role model and setting a good example are things he prides himself on, and Mr. Durfee exercises this role as both a manager and father. Brian has two adult daughters who are his pride and joy and is happily married to his wife, Anna Marie.  Once he retires, he would like to travel the United States in his RV and spend time with his wife, their combined five children and seven grandchildren. 

International Construction Equipment, Inc. is grateful for the dedication and perseverance Brian Durfee has shown in his 40 years with our team. Congratulations Brian and Geaux, ICE®!