Thanks for the time today Travis. As a start, tell us when you joined the company and how that came about?

I started in January of 2009 and had just moved back to Marceline. I’m originally from Marceline, so I’ve always known the name Walsworth. I’ve had relatives and known many others who had worked here.

After applying, I interviewed and was offered the Credit Analyst position. That was the start of my career here.

Can you review for us what different roles you’ve had with the company?

Sure. I started as a Credit Analyst, where I collected on invoices that were past due and processed some credit applications. And then as the Credit Manager was getting ready to retire, I became Assistant Credit Manager, and at that point I gained more responsibility.

When he retired, I think it was January of 2014, I became Credit Manager.

For those who might not be as familiar with the financial side of the company, what does your day-to-day, or week-to-week, look like?

Well starting with the credit side, sales is always getting new customers in the door, and one of my jobs is sending them credit applications to determine credit worthiness. So I’m processing credit apps, approving credit, declining credit. Overall, I’m responsible for keeping us from extending credit to customers who can’t pay it back.

I’m also the Billing Manager. Once we have produced a job, we then invoice for the work done in the plant. Lastly, we then collect on invoices that are past due.

Were there any career stops before you came to Walsworth?

Not really of note. I was in college for a long time. (laughs)

I went to UMKC right out of high school, spent four years there and graduated from the Bloch School of Management with a degree in Business Administration. Then I went to grad school at Mizzou for three years. From there, I decided to move home.

What did you study in grad school?

I got a master’s in applied economics and a minor in statistics.

Now you’ve made it a career here at Walsworth. Along with the familiarity, what is it about the company that has led you to stay here this long?

Growing up in Marceline, I know so many people who work here. It’s a great company to work for. There’s great ownership with great leadership. The roads just kind of led me back here, I guess you could say.

In the last 15+ years that you’ve been here, the company has grown quite a bit. From your vantage point, what has been the biggest factor in that growth?

From ownership and leadership, there’s been a reinvestment in technology and most recently into digital printing. Also, we have a lot of long-term employees and when they retire, we are able to attract quality people to replace them as well. I’ve seen that first-hand in the Corporate Office.

You’ve been here as the company has made acquisitions and added new locations and new facilities. With that comes different processes that need to be integrated. How has that impacted your department?

It’s not always easy. Like you said, sometimes there are differences in how people do things. In the acquisitions we’ve made, it’s always worked out because we are working with great people on both sides. You just have to be flexible.

You mentioned that you grew up in Marceline, correct?

I did, graduated from high school here.

Can you tell us about your family and life outside of work?

Yes, my wife Chrissy is a special education teacher at a local school here. We have three kids. Our son Harrison will be a senior in high school this year. Our son Nolan will be a freshman, and our daughter Hadley will be a sixth grader.

The kids are what keep me busy outside of work. They’re heavily involved in all sorts of athletic endeavors, and we chase them around for a couple different sports each.

Other than running around with the kids activities, are there other things you guys like to do for fun? Any hobbies?

Almost every weekend we’re

either at a basketball or softball tournament. We are going on vacation to Gulf Shores next week. We try to take a yearly vacation together as a family to spend time together.

One of my hobbies is golf, and I still enjoy playing when I have the time.

Fun question time. Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

Recently, my favorite show has been Severance. My wife and I probably watch way too much TV.

Do you have a favorite meal or type of food?

Italian food

You mentioned that you guys like to travel and you’re getting ready to take a trip. Do you have a favorite trip you’ve taken, or a favorite destination?

When the kids were little, we enjoyed going to the Wisconsin Dells. They loved the water parks and stuff. I’m hoping our new favorite will be this trip we’re taking to Gulf Shores.

Have you been before?

No, the last year we’ve been too busy with travel softball and travel baseball. Before that, we went to Myrtle Beach and that was a good one. My family really likes the beach. I don’t as much; I’m too fair skinned and red headed. (laughs)

If you had a personalized coffee mug, what would it say?

“Absolutely.” That seems to be an answer I give frequently.

So, it’s like a catchphrase?

Yeah, a co-worker and I tend to say that quite a bit.

Do you have a favorite memory or a specific accomplishment from your career that you’re most proud of?

I like to think that the best is yet to come, but maybe also it’s been working successfully through some of the acquisitions we’ve made.

Favorite memories would be the people I work with. I’ve worked with so many great people, and even after they retire you get to joke and talk and remember them with others. Those are my favorite memories.

One way we tend to summarize these interviews is to ask if you have any parting thoughts from your time with Walsworth that you would like to share?

I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve had so far, and I have such a good team to work with in Billing, not just here at Corporate, but at the other facilities as well. 

We have great people. I know you probably hear that a lot, but you know when you’ve got a good team it makes everything easier. And I definitely have a good team to work with. If you can surround yourself with good people, it leads to good results.