Met with a major client and his architectural consultant on Friday
. ?ÿThe architect seems to be a really great guy despite being an architect. ?ÿOf course, he has had many years of schmoozing experience. ?ÿIn addition to operating his consulting firm he spent 25 years as mayor of his hometown with a population of roughly 25,000 before stepping up to be elected to the county commission of the largest (by population) county in the state.
The company president I was meeting with spent 25 years working with major construction in the state's largest city before moving to this 100+ year-old local employer of 650 in a town of 2000 residents. ?ÿDuring our conversation on the new industrial park we are platting he mentioned how another local kingpin had helped the city find the means to cut the cost in half for extending the utilities to the new industrial park. ?ÿThat kingpin is a local farm boy who joined with a buddy to start a manufacturing business in a shed 31 years ago. ?ÿThat has turned into over $130 million in annual sales and over 400 employees. ?ÿWe have had survey projects for the president and the kingpin and both of their companies.
On the way to the meeting I grabbed a breakfast sandwich and drink at the nearest convenience store. ?ÿWhile there I noticed a rather plain pickup fueling up with a two-wheel trailer and small riding mower hooked on. ?ÿThe driver was an overweight 60-ish fellow in jeans and an old T-shirt with a ponytail reaching about two-thirds of the way to his belt. ?ÿ That was Mr. Kingpin.?ÿ
He reminded me of how performance is far more important than appearance.
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Great story and I??m glad to hear your philosophy but unfortunately appearance seems to take precedent in many people??s minds. Especially in today??s deeply divided society. ?ÿI hope tolerance can return soon.
We have a lot of Boss Hogg types around here and a number have the same type of appearance.?ÿ
I'll meet you halfway on this. I'm not much impressed with an Armani suit either, especially in a midwest ranching community.?ÿ But?ÿ I doubt that your man wore jeans an a t-shirt when he went to?ÿ the bank looking for capital to expand his shed.?ÿ ?ÿ$130million has a way of turning a crazy old redneck slob into an eccentric kingpin. Until you and I have that kind of dough, or anything like it, we had best make sure we have a pair of Dockers and a clean collared shirt in the closet.?ÿ?ÿ
Crazy like a fox. ?ÿHis employees love and respect him. ?ÿTen years ago when the economy plummeted he kept everyone employed doing something, even if it wasn't their regular job. ?ÿDonated thousands of man-hours to the city and county to make improvements. He has donated huge amounts to the school district including significant amounts to construct new sports facilities that are superior to those of any schools of similar enrollment. ?ÿWhen a large part of the city was hit with flooding in 2007 his employees led the way with cleanup and he found housing for those temporarily displaced. ?ÿA relatively new venture that has nothing to do with his main business is paying big profits. ?ÿThis includes high-end gambling tables that are replacing old ones in Las Vegas and other major gambling sites. ?ÿHe spends time out in the production areas of his buildings every day he can.
...He reminded me of how performance is far more important than appearance.
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I have similar sentiments.?ÿ I see far too many cases nowadays of "show ponies" that love the limelight and attention but fall short of production...or even understanding the process of production.?ÿ In my world this seems obviously prevalent in the local politics.?ÿ I'll raise my glass any day to the folks that really make a difference in our world and yet remain commonly unnoticed.?ÿ
He sounds like a wonderful human being who has earned the right to dress however he wants to. Just saying that most of the rest of us who have not so completely done so would still be well to pay some sort of attention to our personal appearance.
I have had the pleasure of meeting a man like this once, I have seen him wiping tables at his friend's restaurant, but I also know he built a million dollar skate park for the community kids.?ÿ He restored the old downtown theater into a showcase.?ÿ I feel my life is improved by knowing folks like this exist.
"Don't judge a man by the clothes he wears" is something I've heard all my life and around here many multi-millionaires get out every day and do the same work like any other DIYer be it building fence or a barn or other jobs when they could easily hire any contractor.