Pace is proud to name another Culture Warrior of the Month, Jeff Melvin! Jeff is the District Manager for our Louisiana market overseeing Pace’s operations in Hammond and Lafayette. Jeff was nominated by Jamie Baxley, Project Manager, who worked closely with Jeff during several startups in the Hammond market this year. Through the growth and challenges that came with the new business Pace added to his markets, Jeff never failed to show Pace’s core values. We are proud to name Jeff a Culture Warrior of the Month and lucky to have him on the team!
In 2019, the Louisiana markets experienced major growth with the addition of new customers and our new sort and seg vertical. Almost overnight, Jeff’s markets went from servicing two legacy customers to including multiple customers in the pool distribution space, each with their own unique requirements!
Pace began much of this new business just before Peak season, adding an extra element of complexity. Not only were Jeff and his team learning how to effectively serve new customers as well as a new vertical, but they were doing so at the busiest time of the year. There was a significant learning curve to embrace and overcome.
Even with this added challenge, Jeff and the team remained positive and optimistic throughout the startup phase. Jamie Baxley shared, “He [Jeff] showed up day after day ready to motivate and help the team achieve success. He was hands-on: sorting freight as well as making sure all the back office was taken care of. He maintained all of our core values through this stressful time!”
During times of change and challenge, it can be easy to lose sight of Pace’s culture and our values, but this was not the case for Jeff. As Casey Crook, Pace’s Chief Operating Officer, puts it, “He never lost his cool in a truly volatile climate.” Throughout every challenge and hurdle his team faced, Jeff continued to exemplify Pace’s values. He demonstrated what it means to be a part of Pace for his ever-growing team by serving relentlessly, doing the right thing, getting the job done, doing what he said, and always improving. Pace is fortunate to have Jeff as a member of the team, and we are proud to name him Culture Warrior of the Month!
Keeping Pace sat down with Jeff to learn more about our newest Culture Warrior of the Month.
What’s the best thing or your favorite part about working for Pace?
I have to give two answers to this – the challenge and the people. I enjoy the challenge of an ever-changing environment; no two days are the same. The second is the people at Pace – everyone works toward the common goal, and there is always someone willing to lend a helping hand when called upon.
Which core value do you identify most with? And why?
The core value that I identify with the most is “ Get the Job Done.” At the end of the day, no matter what it takes, we at Pace always find a way to get the job done. Some days are more difficult than others, but the end result is always the same – we “Get the Job Done!”
In your opinion, what makes Pace’s culture unique?
The culture at Pace is unique due to our core values and the way we live and breathe them every day. Many organizations have core values that are attached to an acronym making sure to have a value that begins with each letter of the word chosen by that particular organization. Not that anything is wrong with this, but I like how we have chosen core values that truly describe our company, our leadership, and our team members. Living these values has made Pace the company it is today!
What do you when you’re not at the office?
During my off-time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, raising my boys, and pulling for the National Champion LSU Tigers football team. Geaux TIGERS!
