For over three decades, Roy has been the embodiment of servant leadership within the Air Components’ compressor service team. Hired 31 years ago, he has worn plenty of hats. He started out doing custom fabrication work, shipping and receiving, and driving trucks, before moving into field service. Any given day, he’s a technician, teacher, mentor, manager, plumber, electrician, and even janitor.
“Every day is different,” Roy says. “You have to adapt and adjust to make sure the customer is happy.”
He attributes his work ethic and adaptability to his upbringing as a “Military brat,” as his dad was an Army drill sergeant, moving from base to base during his childhood, which included Alaska, Kentucky, Texas, and New Mexico. His childhood shaped him in many ways. He admired his parents, which were the first people in his life to instill a hard-working attitude. Living in several different states also allowed him to be able to handle any room that he was in and get along with any type of person.
Throughout the years at Air Components, he has helped countless different customers on countless different issues, but no matter what the situation has been, Roy doesn’t leave the customer’s location until they are satisfied. “I always make sure that everything is working properly before I leave.”
Always Showing Up for the Customer
Roy’s leadership philosophy is simple: you serve the customer, and you serve the people you lead.
“If you need something, I’m here,” he states.
It’s not just talk. He drives across the state of Michigan to help a technician finish a job or pick up the phone late at night when something goes wrong. In any situation, you can always call Roy, knowing that you’re going to get a quick response and a solution.
“All of my customers have my personal cell phone number. I want them to know that they can always call me, day or night,” Roy says. “Every hour a compressor is down, it could cost the customer tens of thousands of dollars, so I always want to make sure I’m there to help them the best way I can.”
Turning Strangers Into Friends
Roy’s approach to customer service is exactly what we need more in this world:
“When I walk into a room, it’s a room full of strangers,” he says. “But when I leave, my goal is to have a room full of friends.”
That’s not just a great one-liner; it’s the mindset he brings to every job. That’s why so many customers request to work with Roy. He not only knows everything there is to know about air compressors, but he will always treat everyone he meets with empathy and respect.
Serving His Team
Roy takes great pride in training and mentoring apprentices and technicians. He sees each new hire as an opportunity to build someone’s confidence and character, not just their technical skills.
“You’ve got to listen to them, talk to them, and show them respect,” Roy describes. “The best way to teach somebody is to inspire them. That starts with truly getting to know the people you’re working with, understanding them, without judging.”
Roy preaches the importance of great customer service and quality work to his team. “Respect the customer. Always communicate, that’s number one,” Roy tells them. “It’s about quality work, not quantity. Make sure the job gets done the right way, even when no one’s watching.” He consistently models this, whether it’s the way he’s troubleshooting a compressor, or cleaning an entire compressor room before leaving the job site. Roy treats every project as a reflection of himself and the company he represents.
“Compressor rooms are a reflection of who we are,” he says. “You make it right before you leave.”
Roy credits mentors like Don Vander Syde, who showed him patience and understanding when Roy was just starting out. “Donny taught me everything and helped me see what it means to be a good leader,” Roy recalls.
Now, decades later, Roy pays that forward every day by always putting the customer and his team first.
Taking Care of Each Other
With 31 years and counting for Roy at Air Components, what keeps him around? His answer was immediate. “The company has been really good to me over the years, so I want to be as good as I can be in return,” he says. “We’re a big family that cares about everyone else’s family.”
Outside of work, Roy’s world revolves around his family, which includes seven kids and nine grandkids. When he’s not working, he’s at one of his grandkid’s sporting games or dance recitals.
Roy is a man dedicated to service, starting with his family, then Air Components.
“I want to do whatever it takes to make sure our people succeed,” Roy says. “That’s what we do here. We take care of each other.”
