His route to this role taught him a lot about priorities, patience and successful partnerships. Plus, it gave him the opportunity to travel the world and see hundreds of car washes, which has helped him with one of his current priorities of pairing each of his customers with just the right car wash system.
Q: Tell me about your path into the car wash industry.
I started in 1996 with DRB Systems as a tech taking support calls. DRB just happened to be in the small town where I grew up and I had a good friend working there at that time. About 18 months in I moved into the sales department. It was here that I met and traveled to hundreds of the top washes in the country.
Q: What does a day look like for you?
I have a very blessed life. I work from my home office because my warehouse is 2.5 hours from me. I’ll typically take my boy to school, take my dog, Scotty, to the park, then start my work day. Most of it consists of corresponding with customers via multiple mediums, designing floor heat systems and quoting. I’ll get a workout in during the afternoon (I love CrossFit), and sometimes will watch a sporting event in the evening with my laptop opened.
Q: What keeps you coming back every day?
I just enjoy the tasks of working up a great system for my customers and seeing them enjoy it. Each job is different, which keeps it interesting. Of course, the industry is booming right now, and we’re enjoying 17 years of sowing good seed.
Q: What do you think car wash professionals need to be watching out for, and paying attention to, right now?
Although I am not a staunch climate change person, I do believe that we should try and be the best stewards of our immediate environment as we can be and be always aware of the impact our industry has on the planet. The push for “greener” practices is just going to continue forward and upward, not the other way, no matter how much it is resisted.
Q: What has been your biggest learning from the car wash industry?
The thing that comes to mind is to not let bad stuff carry over. Early on, I’d get so frustrated with myself or a situation that I’d be rather upset, to put it lightly, for days. Since then, I’ve learned to face conflict right away and let whoever I’m dealing with know that we’re on the same team; trying to work through the issue at hand.
Q: What are you most excited about that ICA is working on?
In the works is an online training program for employees. ICA is investing a large amount of money and time into this. It’s going to be very comprehensive and something that I think will help employee retention and competence greatly.
Q: What do you do when you’re not ‘on the clock’? What do you do to refill your tank?
I chuckle because I tell people this all the time when they ask me if I’m on vacation or if I’m working: “I’m always working AND always on vacation.” This is fine; I enjoy the balance. I like to refill my tank with a good scripture reading, workout or a fruit smoothie.
Q: Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you.
Although I do not own a gun, I was in the Marine infantry from 1988-1996 and carried an M16A2 AND a bazooka. We didn’t call it that but if I said “SMAW,” not too many people would know what that was. Also, I took part in Desert Storm during that time.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
If anyone wants to help me experience a great sporting event for their favorite local team, I’ll buy the tickets, if I can swing the travel. I’ve taken in a few ballparks, stadiums and arenas around the country and always interested in others. Hit me up at
chris@carwashboilers.com.