NANCY AND GARY WITH THEIR SCHNOODLE, SPARKY, IN EDINBORO, PA
I first met Gary Rodgers about two years ago when he joined our Heritage Palms Biking Group – members who bike 25-35 miles twice a week. That first day, Gary arrived in flipflops because his Achilles tendon hurt. He quickly learned that he needed to adjust his footwear on future trips. Gary impressed all of us by completing that first 25-mile ride, never complaining about his blisters. He had grit.
Gary fit quietly and seamlessly into our bi-weekly traveling mocktail party. As we often have space to ride two by two, I learned a little more about him. I knew he was a golfer who played in the MGA and in a quota group, a rehabbing tennis team captain, married to my WGA and Mahjong friend, Nancy, had three married daughters and six grandchildren, and lived on a lake in Edinboro, PA. Most importantly, I learned Gary played well as a newcomer to our eclectic group.
When Gary was appointed to be the District 7 Representative, my representative, on HP’s Master Board of Directors this past June, I wondered what business and life experiences qualified him to serve. I asked if he would allow me to interview him, so the entire community could learn the depth of experience that Gary brings to his new position.
How did Gary arrive at Heritage Palms? He, Nancy, and his three children vacationed one week each year on Sanibel. As the children were moving on, Gary and Nancy decided to look for a FL condo and visited several in Lee County. They chose Heritage Palms because it was close to the airport. Another reason? Gary only lost four golf balls playing here, compared to his normal dozen+ lost balls per round at other FL courses. The year was 2001, and they purchased a Terrace unit. In 2008, they began living seasonally at HP, moving into an Abbey unit in 2011, and to Go Canes Way in 2017.
HIS DAUGHTERS AND FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.
What experiences prepared Gary for HP BOD duties? Gary graduated from Edinboro University of PA with a BA in mathematics. His first job at age 22 was as a cost estimator with Tuscarora Plastics, his employer for the next 30 years. In that role, Gary learned the technical side of plastics manufacturing as well as the sales and engineering sides. After two years of calculating quotes, Gary was offered a sales job as the company’s sales engineer with New Jersey and New York as his territory. Gary had learned the technical skills needed to be a successful salesman.
Moving to metro New York and succeeding in the competitive NY market was the next challenge. Although he wanted to be in sales, Gary knew he didn’t want to be a pushy, know-it-all salesman. His customers were industrial companies with formal purchasing and engineering departments who knew what they wanted from their suppliers. Gary learned to listen and communicate with the engineers, discussing drawings, tolerances, physical characteristics, energy management, and product specifications. “I listened, really listened, so that I could meet the needs of each business I served. I worked hard to produce a product by what was going to work and meet the highest standards.” As Gary’s expertise increased, he served companies such Lederle Labs, Tyco Trains, Coleco, SounDesign, Smith-Corona, General Electric, Avon, and Pfizer.
During Gary’s time in New Jersey, he went to night school where he earned an MBA from Rutgers University with a focus on marketing. After five years in sales, in 1982, Gary was promoted to sales manager for Tuscarora Plastics in the New England and New York region; the family moved to Westbrook, CT. Successful computer companies in New England were Digital Equipment and Wang Labs, who Gary developed into significant customers.
At age 32, Gary was promoted to General Manager of the company for Northeastern USA. Responsibilities expanded to sales, manufacturing, engineering, human resources, financial success, quality safety, and all aspects of the company. This area included six manufacturing locations with approximate sales of $80 million and 250 employees. The more Gary learned, the more he had to learn.
Three years later, a spot on the senior management team opened, the opportunity that best prepared him to be on our Board. During this time, Gary was promoted to Vice President of Tuscarora Plastics with the responsibility for sales of approximately $140 million across 11 factories located in the Eastern USA and the UK (500 employees). The international experience kept Gary travelling frequently for about five years, honing his people skills while dealing with different cultures.
Gary grew in his 23 years in senior management, especially as Vice President. “The company grew. Many people were hired. Factories were built. Quality and safety programs were introduced and expanded. Costs were monitored and controlled. The direction of the organization was evolving; capital spending was prioritized.” Like at HP, surveys were conducted to measure quality and customer satisfaction to ensure continuous improvement.
Gary’s interest in his community led him to serve six years on the YMCA Board of Beaver County, located in New Brighton PA – two as vice president and two as president. Gary listened to the community who felt their 100-year-old YMCA building wasn’t meeting the needs of the members. Under his leadership, a new Executive Director was hired, $10 million was raised, and a new YMCA was constructed.
When Gary retired from business at age 55, he knew he needed a new challenge. He earned a PhD in Management from Capella University. “That allowed me to teach management and marketing courses at Edison State College (Now FSW) and online at Colorado State Univ. (CSU Global).” Gary taught the principles used in management: planning organizing staffing, leading, and controlling. “I had lived those principles for over 30 years in business, then formally explored them as I earned my PhD, and relived them with my students.” They also happen to be principles needed to run a community like ours.
Now fully retired, Gary believes his store of expertise in business and management will serve the needs of HP. “Since my appointment, I’ve learned how much I didn’t know about our community, Board operations, and the requirements of Board members.” Gary’s appreciation for the efforts needed to maintain our community continually grows.
Returning to my question to Gary, “What experience qualifies you to be on our Board of Directors?” Gary has a depth of business knowledge and has managed complex projects. He’s a life-long learner who has acquired knowledge from industry experience, from books, from listening, from teaching, and from working well with others. We wish him the best as he embraces this new challenge.
