Every FSI employee has a great story to tell,
and the guest of honor for today’s employee interview is no different. If you had to take a guess as to who this is,
one clue would be that he laid claim to the title of champion of the 2011 FSI fishing
outing. Let’s see what Joey has to say
about his time at FSI.
How
long have you worked at FSI?
I have been with FSI almost four and a half years.
What is
your role at FSI?
After 20 successful years in third party
warehouse operations FSI offered me a chance to work in sales. It is something
I have always wanted to do but previously had very little experience in. In
sales, I have the opportunity to put my operational knowledge and people skills
to work with some of the most talented people in the industry.
What
did you do before FSI, and how in the world did you get roped in with these
guys?
I decided it was time for a change from
operations, but I wanted to remain in the warehousing and fulfillment industry.
Awhile back I had met Ken Marbutt at a social function and he invited me to
take a tour of FSI. Long story short, the relationship worked out very well and
he gave me the chance to work in sales. It has been a wild ride and I love
it.
What do
you enjoy about the fulfillment business?
I enjoy connecting with new people who are
chasing their dreams, often starting exciting, new businesses with little more
than a spark in their eyes and a great product to offer. Knowing that superb
product fulfillment can make or break their chase, I enjoy getting them set up
with the various fulfillment programs at FSI, which are the best in the
business. These tools give companies their best chance to be successful.
Sometimes I run across a competitor who can offer a good program, but when you
peel away the bark, they cannot begin to match FSI’s total package. That
certainly makes my job easier!
What do
you enjoy about sales?
I get to meet creative people with a variety
of interesting ideas. I find people’s passion is always the same no matter the
size of the idea. There are large companies with big needs and small start-ups
who just need someone to help them get their dream going. Watching those dreams
come into fruition is very rewarding.
What
have been some of your memorable moments from your time at FSI?
Meeting people like Ted Turner, Leonard Rowe
(formerly Michael Jackson’s concert promoter), Dewey Tomko (poker champion) and
countless others. Then I talk to someone with a husband and 2 kids and a simple
idea to organize her pocketbook. Meeting people like her is every bit as
memorable as the celebrities, and in fact she is well on her way to becoming a
celebrity herself.
What do
you think separates FSI from other fulfillment companies? What makes FSI
different?
Being a family owned operation. Not the huge
mega corporation. You will find every customer service representative,
warehouse worker, supervisor and manager has one goal, which is to do the job
right the first time. And 99.98% of the time they do. Our customers always talk
about the partnership they have with FSI and how we have been a part of their success.
FSI has
enjoyed some growth (13,000 ft² - 155,000+ ft²), longevity (15+ years), and won
some awards along the way since the business began in 1996. What would
you attribute FSI’s success to?
FSI was created with one vision in mind. That
was to be a top-notch fulfillment center. We have stayed the course for over 15
years and have not diluted that goal with other ventures. With that goal, we
have worked diligently to grow and improve on that core philosophy. Strong leadership, careful planning and great
execution have given FSI countless success stories. Once a project is set in
motion, there is a comfortable feeling that it will be a success. That
confidence sets us apart.
What do
you enjoy doing with your spare time outside of FSI?
I enjoy family, friends, church work,
fishing, a good movie, dining out and a road trip anywhere. I work hard on the
farm and play harder when we get the chance. A road trip with my daughters to
see their brother play college football is special as well.
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