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