We are celebrating our 20th anniversary by highlighting our 20 most tenured employees!
Next up is Matt Angell, Vice President of Logistics Operations, here at Jarrett. Read his answers below to find out more about Matt and his experience at Jarrett throughout the years!
Describe your job in 20 words or less?
Working alongside very talented individuals to provide best-in-class supply chain management to our clients.
Favorite memory at Jarrett so far?
Oh man. So many. The April Fool’s joke on Mike Wolfinger at Schneller implementation was good. Running out of gas with Matt Wagner at 1 am in Alabama was classic as well.
What is your favorite quote?
“We have about five choices in our life.
- We can be bad at what we do.
- We can be average at what we do.
- We can be good at what we do, which probably is God’s expectation for whatever ability he gave us.
- We can be excellent
- We can be elite.
Everybody has a choice as to what they want to do and how they want to do that, but if you’re going to be excellent or elite you’ve got to do special things. You have to have special intensity. You have to have special focus. You have to have a special commitment and drive and passion to do things at a high level and a high standard all of the time. It doesn't matter what God-given ability that you have; that, probably, can make you good. But without the rest of it, I’m not sure you ever get to excellent or elite, and that’s the part we’re trying to get to.”
- Nick Saban
What is your biggest goal right now?
Growing Jarrett Logistics while providing a fun, productive and exciting work environment for our employees.
Why did you decide to join and stay with Jarrett?
A couple of two-hour conversations with Mike Jarrett in the summer of 2008 to understand his vision and plan for the company sealed the deal for me.
Which employee perk does Jarrett offer that you enjoy the most? Why?
I’ve enjoyed taking my family to our company property on Siesta Key for many years.
Who has been a mentor for you here at Jarrett? How have they helped you?
Mike Jarrett. I’ve been able to learn from the best. Mike is consistent, fair and highly intelligent. He treats everyone with respect and never stops consuming information. Never stops learning and improving.
What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Take a deep breath once in a while and listen. Absorb all that you can. Ask questions and know that you always have a team to help you. The two things in your professional life that you can control, no matter what your job is, are attitude and effort. If you have a positive attitude and are making an effort to learn, you’ll excel at Jarrett.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your time at Jarrett?
Treat everyone with respect. Do what you say you are going to do.
How have you seen the organization and/or industry change over the course of time that you’ve been at Jarrett?
Of course. Many times. The logistics industry moves in cycles like most other segments of our economy. Understanding ‘what comes next’ is the key. I feel like we have a really strong pulse on where the industry is and what our position is within our industry.
How does your team provide value to Jarrett clients?
We provide 24/7/365 tactical and strategic support to ensure our clients have visibility and cost controls in place in their supply chains. We make sure they have the very best people and technology available to them at all times.
How has technology evolved in your time at Jarrett?
The way we use technology has been transformational. Collecting data is no longer a challenge. Utilizing that data to make informed decisions, in the moment, is today’s challenge. Our teams are experts in this area.
How does Jarrett and their employees serve the community?
One of our Core Values is Civic Responsibility. We have found creative ways to engage both at an individual and at a corporate level in our local community.
How would you define Jarrett’s success?
Employee engagement and customer retention define our success. All matters of growth and profitability come as a result of engagement with both your employees and your clients.
How has the client experience changed?
Every day, we are tasked with improving. You have to be constantly evolving and improving. As such, we are always looking to enhance the client experience. From 2008 through today, virtually every aspect of client engagement is different and has been improved.
What do you envision Jarrett looking like in the next 20 years?
I would imagine that Jarrett in 2040 will look nothing like it does today. Technological advances will most certainly remake the Supply Chain management industry over and over again during that time frame.
What lessons have you learned in the past 20 years that will impact the next 20?
Experience life to the fullest. In the end, our lives are just simply a collection of our experiences and the impression we make on others.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Anything is possible. There are no limitations. Go for it. Don’t be afraid to fail, learn from your mistakes and always being improving.
What was your favorite song when you were 20?
‘One’ by U2. I saw it performed in Cyclone Stadium in Ames Iowa that year. ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana is a close second.
What job did you have when you were 20?
I was a bartender in college at Iowa State. Was also rehabbing rental properties with my dad while I was in college.
We are grateful to have Matt here at Jarrett. If you are interested in being a part of our team, visit our careers page.
For more Employee Spotlights, check out our blog!
