Department/Title: National Sales Manager
Worked at Kadant GranTek Since: January 2008

Tell me about your career path and how you got to Kadant.
In the summers while attending Kennesaw State University, northwest of Atlanta, I worked at two different lawn care companies and inadvertently caught the Green Industry fever. Shortly after finishing college, my career took off when I was hired by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in Marysville, Ohio. This was followed by a stint at The Andersons and Howard Johnson’s Enterprises, and before I knew it, 18 good years had quickly gone by. I very much enjoyed the journey, but I was ready for a change. In comes the opportunity to join Kadant GranTek in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the producers of a premier granular carrier in the Green Industry.

What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Working with the Kadant GranTek team. Our leadership has assembled an exceptional cast of competent associates that work very, very well together. And where you see it best is when there is a customer challenge or a bump in the road.

What do you think is the most important quality for success?
Sticktoitiveness. You must maintain a mentality that no mountain is too high or valley too low. To use a baseball analogy, you are only out after the 3rd strike. Keep taking your swings!

What do you think it takes to make a connection with someone you’re working with during the sales cycle?
Be genuine, sincere, and honest. People buy from who they trust. I think the best book that really illustrates this premise is “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

Tell me about your family.
My high school sweetheart JoAnn and I have been married for over 30 years. We have 3 wonderful adult children Jaclyn, Ryan, and Ashley. Jaclyn and her husband Justin have blessed us with 2 grandchildren and another one is due this August, all boys. Ryan graduated from Appalachian State University and lives in Atlanta and Ashley is a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Who is your biggest inspiration?
Truly all of my managers, supervisors, and bosses that I have had in my career. Each one of them special, unique, and very talented in their own way. I am a piece of every one of them!

What do you like to do in your free time and why?
Love to spend time with my family, whatever the activity. I also enjoy fresh water fishing, playing golf, and have recently taken up bird hunting, which I have really relished.

Do you have a favorite sports team? How did you become a fan?
I have been a faithful Steelers fan since I can remember. The glory days of the seventies never left me and I still relive those years every chance I get.