Jaime Maliszewski is president and CEO of Reliable Plating Works and general manager of Elite Finishing in Milwaukee, a family-owned company that has been around since 1929. Not only does he lead one of the top industrial chrome plating shops in the U.S., but Maliszewski and his employees are actively involved in a number of community organizations.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
Jaime MaliszewskiI started going to work with my dad on weekends; I think this was my mom’s way of getting me out of her hair for a while since there were six kids in our family. He had me clean offices and sweep floors, but eventually, hot jobs needed to get out, so they would have me rack small parts and help with the inspection. That mutated into helping with maintenance — mechanical and chemical — as being smaller than most of the guys, I could fit into cramped areas and small tanks that needed work. Eventually, when I was in high school, I started working on the line and doing some polishing. In college, I started to get more into the office side, and my dad had me develop our first brochure; I developed a marketing plan for the company. After college, I became the office manager/salesman for the company and continued to work to grow the company. I became president in 1998.
What does enjoy best about the industry?
There is so much to love about this industry. First and foremost, the people. I have met so many great people that are now longtime friends. They started out as customers, suppliers, and competitors. The industry is full of family businesses, and the focus is more on people than profits, not at all as you see in big corporations. I also love the variety of products we get to process. Being a job shop, we see parts from all industries and we get to see so many very cool production processes. I really love to see how things are made and how innovative people can be in developing better ways to make parts.
Who is your hero?
I have to give this to both of my parents, as they both have given me some of their best qualities. My mom was a saint; she gave me patience, understanding, and compassion for all people. My father gave me my work ethic, business sense, and the gift of communication. They both gave me my competitive spirit, as they both loved competition and winning.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I just want to live near family and friends. I can always visit beaches, hunting lodges, or great golf courses, but as long as I am near family and friends, I am right where I want to be.
What is your biggest fear?
Having this great country of our turn into a socialist state.
What is your favorite family vacation?
The one my parents set up for our entire family for their 50th wedding anniversary. They took our entire family of 40-plus people to an all-expense vacation in Cancun, Mexico. We had so much fun with mom, dad, sisters, brothers, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Such a relaxing time, and yet all the fooling around and playing with all the kids was a time that we all will never forget.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
When I was younger, I wanted to be taller and faster so that I could be a better athlete, but in the end, I found out that being a smarter athlete was my only and best option. Now, I just want to be the best husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend that I can be.
What really makes you angry?
People that want to ruin this great country of ours by making it a socialist state. This country was made great by allowing hard-working people a chance to make themselves a better life. It drew in hard-working people from all over the world that wanted to chase the dream, but now a group of self-indulgent politicians and billionaires want to ruin this opportunity so that they can help themselves gain power and money at the expense of all the citizens of this country. Hopefully, we still have enough hard-working people with dreams that understand what is going on and they continue to fight for our freedoms.
What motivates you to work hard?
Just knowing that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right. The competitive side of me takes it a bit further in that I not only want to do it right, I want to do it better and faster than anyone else. Working hard and getting results is very satisfying.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
The friends that I have made through work and the new friends that will make in the future.
What is your biggest complaint about your job?
I really do not have any complaints; any of the issues we see are just opportunities to grow.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Finding the best woman in the world, and finding a way to convince her to marry me.
What is your favorite book?
The Goal by Eli Goldratt. It was such a surprising business book, as it read like a novel that was written about a lot of things I experienced in my career. It taught me so much while being entertaining.
What makes you laugh the most?
Honestly, the biggest belly laughs I have had in the last several years have come from watching and playing with my young nephews, nieces and great-nephews and nieces. They say and do the funniest things that just tear me up.
What was the last movie you went to?
Avengers: End Game; my nephew and I have gone to a lot of the Marvel movies together as we both are big fans of the Marvel Universe.
What did you want to be when you were small?
I really thought it would be cool to be a motorcycle policeman, but then I figured out that I had to do more than just ride a motorcycle all day.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would hunt in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, and have dinner and a movie with my wife at night.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I played college football, and still like to watch it now. I love to cheer for the team that plays with the best fundamentals and attitude.
Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
I love fast cars. I just finished turning my 1987 Monte Carlo SS into a Restomod and I love driving it and making noise.
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
“We are the Champions” by Queen but it would not sound good. Pretty sure I would never be asked to sing again.
What would be your last meal?
I guess surf and turf as it is the best of both worlds. I love seafood, and there is nothing better than a tender, rare piece of meat.
Who is your favorite author?
I read a lot of sci-fi by Anne McCaffrey; she does a great job of making the characters seem real.
Have you ever had a nickname?
I was always called “Mali” by my coaches and it stuck with my friends. The coaches needed to shorten my last name as it was too hard to yell out Maliszewski every time I screwed up.
Do you like or dislike surprises?
I like good surprises; however, bad surprises are not my favorite.
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
I would love to play games with any of my relatives.
Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job?
I would love to win the lottery; however, since I do not play, this is unlikely. Just because then any work I do will not be a job and therefore it will always be fun. I guess the same could be said for working at the perfect job.
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
My wife, Julie; we have been through so much together over the years and I know with her with me, we would get through be stranded on an island. It also is great to have your best friend with you when you need help.
