Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Lee.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
A little more than 10 years ago, I was out sharing resumes with potential employers looking for a landing spot after having sacrificed everything trying to help keep the family business afloat through the banking mortgage lending meltdown crisis. I was out of work and with little relevant experience, but was fortunate enough to find a company that was willing to take a chance on me.
The former SCA Walls in Garland, TX was willing to give me an opportunity to prove myself as an entry level computer aided design 3D modeler. Fast forward 10 years and 2 different owners later and I am now fortunate enough to be the Vice President of Operations for both the central and western divisions of Environamics. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most tremendous people along the way, some of which I still have the pleasure of working with from my very first day!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am sure there are few career paths that are ultimately smooth roads, but mine has certain had its share of challenges along the way. As an eager young man that was pretty sure he could change the world if people let him, I often found myself going against the grain in getting people to change. Even if I could easily prove the change was minimally disruptive and wildly more productive, it never seemed to be accepted with any ease.
This is still a battle I face even today, but I have a much greater understanding and patience for implementation. Picking your battles has always been a message communicated to me but never has it been so clear or so important. Outside of that, complications with the various mergers and acquisitions overtime yield plenty of challenges but also plenty of opportunity. The first organization was fret with terrible executive leadership. They were simply unfit to be leading an organization and ultimately allowed the organization to slip into a situation beyond repair. They were forced to sell to a much larger organization that was looking to expand into this industry.
This was supposed to be the move that super charged the business by pumping in much needed and seemingly endless resources as well as more proven and capable executive leadership. Unfortunately, what we ended up with was a leadership team that while new to the industry already felt they knew everything about it and failed to listen.
On paper, the industries seem similar from a manufacturing point of view, but in reality, their business models were entirely different. Their failure to embrace this difference along with the cloud of arrogance that hovered around them ultimately proved to end this company as well. It was dissolved in a bankruptcy proceeding that ultimately paved the way for my current and LAST opportunity in this industry. Environamics was able to secure the assets and through a previous made and continually maintained relationship with their owners, I was invited to join their team to setup and begin operations for their newest and first manufacturing facility expansion in Dallas. 5 years later, things have never looked so good. I have never felt more comfortable in my career path and company ownership/leadership. We have a tremendous team here in Dallas that does great work on a day to day basis. I feel lucky to get to work with some of the best on a day to day basis. The last 5 years, while it hasn’t exactly been ice skating, it is certainly the smoothest stretch of road I have been on yet in my career path!
Please tell us about Environamics.
Environamics designs, manufactures and installs movable interior walls nationwide. We are headquartered in Charlotte, NC where we also serve as a complete interior construction firm to do full interior upfits. Here in Dallas, we operate out of 55k sq. ft. of manufacturing space that has been completely outfitted with some of the best manufacturing equipment available. Our team here in Dallas is well seasoned and incredibly hard working, but more important than that, they are simply just great people! This doesn’t just stop here in Dallas, Environamics as a whole does the best job of “doing what we say we are going to do, when we say we are going to do it”.
This is by far the most compelling difference and quite possibly the one facet of our company that I find the most pride in. There are many others in our industry and they are likely good companies too, but I would doubt they care as much as we do. Anyone can buy the same machines, parts and pieces, but not anyone stays as late as necessary to make sure a shipment gets out on time. We have teammates that will work through the freezing cold or the blazing heat and never skip a beat. Whatever it takes to get the job done, our team is willing to do it. That is the difference and that is what makes Environamics special!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Though it sounds bad, growing up in a broken home allowed for some of the best memories!
Long before 9/11 and the subsequent rules that prevented people from waiting at the gate at the airport for your arrival, we would travel back and forth between Mom’s and Dad’s cities. That feeling of walking off the plane and seeing your Dad for the first time in a long time was amazing!
Conversely, coming back and getting the same thing with your Mom was equally as amazing. I venture to guess that a lot of people in whole homes took their parents for granted. Sure, there were lots of other challenges and negativity associated with it and I definitely don’t advocate it, but that feeling was the BEST!
Contact Info:
- Address: 14035 Distribution Way,
Farmers Branch, TX 75234 - Website: www.environamics-inc.com
- Phone: 9722472647
- Email: envir@environamics-inc.com
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