CATCHING UP WITH SUPPORT TEAM MANAGER TONY KELLEY
FOUNDATION IS EVERYTHING
How Igloo Supports Human Ambition
In times of unusual change or stress, reflecting on businesses that have built a foundation for decades and remain the same in the face of adversity can be eye-opening. Igloo is one such company, and they aren’t changing what they do because they’ve always been about supporting their customers in achieving their ambitions. The long-standing, go-to brand for portable coolers was born from a modest metalworking shop in 1947. It developed into such a subtly useful brand that its true importance in redefining how the American family lives, works, and plays goes largely unthought of. Their first coolers were initially developed as a way to quickly bring clean water to work sites, but the business soon developed into building super- functional ice chests. It’s likely that the family outdoor recreation movement of the 20th century would not have been possible without Igloo’s simple but meaningful intentions. The company made it possible for activities like cross-country summer road trips to regularly bring families closer together. Today, Igloo employs over 1,500 people and sells more than 500 products. They’ve come a long way since the days of coolers, but they’ve always been dedicated to never losing sight of their original goal: creating products that enable the pursuit of happiness, however someone wants to define it. Whether it’s through work or play, Igloo’s goal is to be at your side, making the experience better. In light of current times, when users of Igloo products aren’t able to get out into the world as frequently, Igloo is making sure to support communities in other ways. During March and April, Igloo donated 100% of profits from all sales of Playmate coolers purchased through their website to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund. Their goal was not only to deliver needed resources to the CDC Foundation but also to embolden American manufacturing during one of its toughest times. Igloo stands as a true symbol for how humans will always persevere to achieve more.
Tony Kelley has been with AZCOMP for 15 years! He’s no stranger to our monthly newsletter but hasn’t been interviewed in a while. We wanted to catch up with someone who’s been with us since nearly the beginning and take a look at the company through his eyes. When Tony first started at AZCOMP as a support technician, he was one of only three. “The whole company had about seven people back then,” Tony says. “I remember when the support team’s room was so small that you had to look behind you when you moved your chair to make sure you didn’t hit anyone.” When our support team started to grow a few years later, that’s when Tony stepped into the role of support manager. “I left a corporate company with hundreds of employees to jump into the always risky world of a startup,” Tony remembers. “Sometimes the rigid structure that my previous job provided was useful, but I realized I wanted to do something more meaningful. I wanted to work somewhere where I wasn’t just a number, where I could be part of something that was growing.” Since Tony’s arrival, AZCOMP has certainly grown. We’ve added more departments, hired more managers, and put new systems in place. But the one thing we’ve been dedicated to holding onto is our small family environment. “Back then I called us a mom-and-pop shop,” Tony says. “We’re much bigger now, but that mom-and-pop feeling hasn’t gone anywhere. That’s why I’ve been here for 15 years.” The most impactful change Tony has seen at AZCOMP since he was last interviewed is our dedication to putting together a truly excellent team. “AZCOMP has grown to understand that while skills are important, looking past them to truly see the person behind the resume is more important,” he explains. “Getting to know our staff as people, not just cogs in a machine, means we can help them adapt quickly, set meaningful goals, and integrate with our family comfortably.” When we have mindful team members like Tony, it’s easy to create an atmosphere that puts people first. Thanks for all you do Tony, and here’s to the next 15 years.
855-556-4677 AZCOMP Technologies www.azcomp.com/it • 3
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