Distributor's Corner:  Not Your Average Joes

by Earl Ward, President of NEMEON

Joe, a roofer from the Upper Penninsula, came to us early on in our existence as a roofing distribution company. Joe and his wife had decided to sell their roofing business and move to the Twin Cities to enjoy retirement and be near their two kids who were both attending college there. Joe was looking for a job. More accurately, Joe was looking for something to do, as retirement to Joe meant doing what he wanted, not what he needed to do, and he wanted to be of service to roofers, having been one most his life. 

We hired him on with the understanding he would work part time. It turned out that part time to Joe meant he would try to keep it around 40 hours a week. Soon Joe was a fixture, as the local roofers took to him like ice and water barrier on a wood deck. Joe had a way of growing on you very quickly. He knew most everything about the roofing trait. What he did not know, he knew where to find the answer. Joe was never afraid to climb up any ladder or tackle any roofing challenge, no matter how big or small. Joe made selling roofing fun. He loved to tell stories of his life experiences and we loved to hear them. Sadly, Joe passed away unexpectedly one cold November day. His memory lives on in each of us who were blessed to know him. 

A few years later, we got a call from Joe's wife asking for a favor. It seems as though Joe's son, Joe Junior was looking for a career change. He had graduated from college and was stuck in a living hell of selling office furniture. What he really wanted to do was follow in his dad's footsteps. In high school, Joe Junior had worked on the roof with his dad during the summer. He had roofing in his blood and wanted to be a part of the business. Since our little company was growing and we did need help, we granted the favor and took him on, not knowing what to expect or what to do with him. But we figured if he was Joe's son, he could not be all that bad. And boy, were we right.

We started Joe inside, but soon realized his calling was outside sales. Just like his dad, the roofers took to him right away. Joe was (as he would say) all about "moving product" and lived to sell. Joe Junior had a passion for roofing just as his dad did. Joe also had a competitive drive that would not let him stop until he reached the top. And it did not take Joe long to become our top salesman. His humor kept us all entertained and no one had the passion for the job at hand more than Joe. Joe lived his dad's legacy.

Everything Joe did was "full throttle" as he used to say. Sadly, Joe Junior passed away unexpectedly one sunny day in June. His memory too lives on in each of us who knew him. Senior and Junior now lay at rest beside one another.   It';s been said that a job starts out as just that - a job.  Somewhere along the line, it turns into a career. For a few, it becomes their identity. And for the lucky, they leave behind a legacy.  Joe Senior and Junior left us too soon, but their legacies live on. No one that knew them will ever forget them. Not a day goes by without them in my thoughts - and they are all happy thoughts. Joe Senior and Joe Junior were not just your "average Joes". We all should be lucky to have guys like them in our lives.