During his first job at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Bob Sellers wasn’t actually on the hospital’s payroll.

He was doing electrical work for a company hired to remodel the cafeteria when his skill and strong work ethic caught the attention of former Methodist Rehab Physical Plant Director Dennis Cagle.

When the cafeteria was finished, Cagle offered Sellers a position as maintenance electrician. And at the time, Sellers was more than ready to leave the uncertainty of the construction business.

“I wanted something more stable,” he said. “Working in construction, you were always scared to buy anything.”

In the 17 years since, Sellers has earned a reputation for being the go-to guy, whether you need a call button repaired or computer wire strung. And his reliability is one of the main reasons he was chosen 2007 Support Services Employee of the Year.

“He is 100 percent dependable and dedicated,” says Jim MacFarquhar, Senior Director of Facilities Management. “He even calls or comes in on his own initiative if he hears of anything in the news that may have adversely affected Methodist Rehab. During Hurricane Katrina, he was here from the Sunday afternoon before the storm until Wednesday.”

MacFarquhar said another of Seller’s strengths is his versatility. “He came in with a licensed trade, yet he was willing and able to learn the other trades critical to the day-to-day and emergency support of MRC, our patients and our mission.”

“I was just an electrician by trade, so I learned a lot of skills just working here,” Sellers said. And he has come to love “keeping stuff running here.”

“I enjoy the people I work with and around,” he said. “And I was surprised and happy to get employee of the year.”