Employee Spotlight

Rick Lewis, Regional Sales Manager

Rick Lewis was recently promoted from Sales Account Representative to Regional Sales Manager. He joined our team in 2018 as Account Manager and his favorite thing about working for Jay is taking care of his customers. We sat down with Rick to learn a little bit more about him – check out his coffee talk below!

  1. How did you get started in the motor repair industry
    I spent 26 years with Kimberly Clark, of which two thirds of those were in an electrical support role. Looking forward to the end of my career, I felt that I wouldn’t want to spend the last years working a rotating shift. I felt that the repair business would be a good fit due to the fact that I had been exposed to so many of the daily issues that manufacturing facilities face and could act with the sense of urgency that it takes to resolve these issues.
  1. What is your favorite thing about working for Jay?
    Taking care of my customers. Whether a 5hp or a 10K hp motor, there’s nothing more satisfying than taking care of someone’s issue. I enjoy the challenge of growing the business, meeting new people. I also enjoy the people I work with from the motor shops I represent.
  1. Name one thing not many people know about you.
    I was born Ricky Dane Foster but had a legal name change when I was in 7th grade.
  1. Who has been the most impactful person in your career at Jay?
    Hands down, Jay Ogburn.
  1. What is your favorite sports team?
    St. Louis Cardinals.
  1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?Honestly, I had no idea. Just to have a good paying job. I believe I have reached my ultimate reason for being here, by being in the sales world.
  1. What is your favorite holiday?
    I guess it’s changed over the course of my life. Since being a Grandfather, it would have to be Christmas.
  1. What is the best vacation you have ever been on?
    Spent my 25th anniversary in Rome, Italy.
  1. Do you have any siblings?
    I have one blood brother, one half-brother, two half sisters.
  1. Do you have any kids? Grandkids?
    I have two sons. Both military, Oldest is an Occupational Therapist, Youngest is a police officer and a member of the Southaven, MS SWAT team. One granddaughter.
  1. What are you most proud of?
    So proud of my two sons.
  1. What are some of your hobbies?
    Fitness, Golf.
  1. Who’s your personal hero?
    I’ve had some really good men in my life to help guide me.
    My Uncle Ronnie McElwrath is at the top of that list.
  1. What was your first job?
    Grew up in a farm community, so hauling hay, chopping cotton when I was 11. Once I turned 16, I was hired to work in a local grocery store.
  1. I am afraid of:
    Not taking care of my family.
  1. Who or what makes you laugh?
    My Granddaughter brings the most joy in my life.
  1. I can’t live without:
    Living a healthy lifestyle.
  1. Anything else you would like for us to know about you:
    I have been married to my High School sweetheart, Rebecca, for 37 years. She has always been my biggest supporter!