Can you share a bit about your background and what motivated/inspired you to join the Leafguard team?
I was working in construction back home in Maryland for about three or four years, and then I moved to Kansas to finish up college. I’ve lived in Kansas for five years now and while here, I met a previous employee from my last job. He requested for me to come in and do an application at Leafguard and I got hired as a fabricator. I was working as a fabricator for about four to five months when I met a gentleman that came down here from another branch. He was filling in for our production manager role and thought I would be a good fit for the management team. I’ve been in this position for about a year now. It’s been a good journey since I’ve become the APM and I’m still growing.
What is something that stood out to you about the opportunities at Leafguard?
I’m a hands-on guy. When I first heard about the job, I thought okay I have had some material handling experience from my previous job. As a fabricator is a similar position, it grew on me. Soon after I took the next steps of being a little bit more hands-on with the material ordering processes and helped at the branch by keeping things in order as far as inventory, tracking everything, and making sure we’re kind of setting a standard for ourselves here. Making sure that we have enough material and that the installers can install their jobs correctly is something I have taken ownership of. I’ve had the opportunity to grow and take more ownership, like making sure that everything is accounted for, and everyone is playing their part.
How would you explain to your friends and family what working here is like?
I would tell my friends and family that it’s a fast-paced job. Everybody here is friendly, welcomes you with open arms, and allows you to grow as an individual. Everybody treats you like family. That’s the number one thing for me: having a relationship with everybody in the branch. Also, the leadership here notices when you’re holding yourself accountable and they appreciate and recognize that. If you’re taking the right steps, you’re able to advance quickly and it also comes with a strong support system.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
In the previous jobs that I’ve had, I was able to start off as just a regular employee for a short span of time and then work my way up and grow into a management role pretty quickly. Most of the jobs that I’ve had, I was able to advance to a management role in less than a year. At my previous job, I was working as a yard worker for a lumber yard, and I was there for four months when one of the managers relocated and they asked me to step up and be a supervisor manager for the lumberyard. The idea of holding myself accountable and making sure everybody’s doing their job successfully really grew on me then.
What are some important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
Be patient, work hard, and be accountable. Making sure that I pay attention to the fine detailed things that go with this role and that I’m able to take charge and make sure everyone is doing their job correctly is a huge lesson.
Any advice for colleagues or individuals aspiring to advance their careers within the organization?
Really just work hard and, like I said, hold yourself accountable for everything that you do. Make sure that you’re doing everything 100% correctly. Leadership or whoever you’re working with will see that and acknowledge it and pass that information on to your benefit. Being able to do your job 100% with no regrets will reflect positively on you and will make it easy for others to notice your work and see you as a leader.
