Meet February’s Industry Insider: Mopeka’s CEO

Can you describe what you do in your current role? 

On a day-to-day basis, in addition to the CEO [role], I head up the engineering department and oversee all manufacturing, warehouse operations and logistics. This can include anything from designing and engineering new products, systems and processes to the supply chain management of our goods. 

What would you say is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in your career? 

New product innovation is easy if you learn to simply keep your eyes and ears open. When you see any person with a frustration, a complaint or a difficulty, then there is a problem that can be solved with a new product. This is how you innovate! And those products are usually big wins. I spent too many years trying to ‘dream up’ the next big thing. But with eyes and ears open, customers will tell you what that next big thing is. 

From your view, how has the industry changed in your career? What are you seeing now that you may never have imagined in the beginning? 

1. Adoption of technology to facilitate efficiencies and safety.
2. People are becoming increasingly open to questioning industry norms … and that the old way isn’t always the best way. As with other industries … technology has disrupted in a positive way to enhance and streamline operations and created a competitive advantage for those that embrace it.
3. Governance and increased safety protocols — and the awareness of these. 

What are some of your greatest professional successes? 

I’m a product guy, so I relate my successes to the products I have designed over 30 years in the business. Much like the satisfaction of completing some home project, like building a piece of furniture in the garage, I get the same satisfaction to look at the products I’ve been involved with, seeing them manufactured and shipped out to customers. 

What advice do you have for someone new to the industry? 

Hands-on learn your industry from the bottom up. I think it’s so important to learn as much as possible about every aspect of your industry. Had I not myself spent time filling cylinders, burying underground tanks, fixing propane carburetors, rebuilding engines and so on, I doubt that I would be where I am today. 

What’s something not a lot of people know about you? 

I’m an ordained minister. Granted, I was ordained by an internet service in about two minutes so that I could officiate a couple of family weddings, but ordained nonetheless. Both weddings ended with, “By the power vested in me by the internet … ” 

What is your ideal future for the industry and how do you plan to continue contributing to that future? 

1. Technology adoption will continue to gain momentum.
2. At Mopeka, we will continue to innovate, design and build solutions that will enable our customers to better manage their businesses and make better decisions based on real-time data. 

What’s your funniest/favorite work memory? 

Again, product design being my background, my first patent award was a big deal to me, although that was long ago! I also have very fond memories of the first couple of years starting Mopeka. There were just three of us at that time, working so hard, but it was such an exciting time. 

What do you do to relax and unwind after a day of work? 

As unpleasant as it sounds, I’ve taken up the habit of a steam sauna followed by a cold plunge. I dread the cold plunge every day, but the stress relief and benefits have really made an impact. I also have a 1-year-old grandson who lives nearby. A little time with him puts all into perspective. 

What’s your most-used productivity hack? 

I’m an early-morning person, so I find it very effective beating everyone to the office to get in some good work time in the quiet. Beyond that, I try to only do email checks twice per day, I turn off most phone alerts to avoid distractions, and I end the day by cleaning and organizing my desk so that the next day’s priorities are clear and easy to start.