Business Matters 2020 | Page 45

David and Derek inspect unit for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Unit for display at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo On other aspects of the company’s success, David said, “Good advertising programs, word of mouth and customer testimonials. That hasn’t changed since the beginning.” Plus, General Shelters believes in being involved with the community and the world. We’ve supported youth sports and civic organizations, plus donating building supplies to help build schools in Haiti after a devastating earthquake hit in 2010.” “Everybody from our employees to our distributors are like family,” David added. “We have dealers that we’ve had for a long time, and employees that have been with us for many years.” That list of long-time employees includes David Eubank, the plant production manager who has been with the company 42 years. While it might be unusual for a company to have an employee for that long, General Shelters has two. Also with 42 years of service is Tereso Aguilar, a finish builder. Other long-time employees include Terry Lunsford, Metal forming operation Inspecting a small portable building L to R Derek Pierce, Retha Starkey, David Koonce the sales manager with 39 years; Derek Pierce, vice president of operations with 28 years; Retha Starkey, vice president of marketing with 27 years; Rhonda Miller, human resources manager with 23 years; and Jose Solis, chief financial officer with 21 years. And the list contains another 17 names with service between 10 and 20 years. “It’s always been interesting to me that we build new products that people need.” Said David about what excites him about the company. “I thought when I came here that everybody already had a portable building and nobody would need one.” “There’s nothing I would change,” said David. “Every part of our history is who we are.” The General Shelters philosophy of making customers happy even if it requires going out of your way to do it has apparently worked well for them…regardless of how you say it. Business MATTERS | 2020 Spring Edition 45