MyDavey Bulletin – RC – Jeffrey Matheney – Nov/Dec 2016
Suggested Hed: TBD
Art RC - Jeffrey Matheney 1.JPG
Cutline: –After 33 years at Davey, Jeffrey Matheney retired on January 1st, 2015. Now, he spends his days making home improvements, dabbling in woodwork and riding his Harley.
Growing up on a tree farm in Indiana, Jeffrey Matheney planted his first sapling when he was only five years old. At that moment, with his hands covered in dirt, Matheny knew he wanted to work outside for the rest of his life.
As he helped his father plant, maintain and care for the trees on the 150-acre farm, Matheney learned a few more lifelong lessons.
“That was hard work. My dad was a worker in every sense of the word. And he expected me to be one,” Matheney …show more content…
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Purdue, he began working with a few landscaping companies.
“I was being recruited by Davey back in 1976 but didn’t officially join until 1982. Now, of course, I wish I had started earlier. I learned so much about tree care and business from Davey – way more than I would have at any of those other companies. At Davey, there are so many opportunities and levels of employment,” Matheney said.
Matheney learned this first-hand. During his 33 years at Davey, he worked his way up from a spray technician to a sales trainee, sales arborist and district manager.
As he got to see different aspects of the company, Matheney also got to travel to different areas of the country. He worked in Indianapolis and New Jersey before settling down with his family outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988.
“If Davey asks you, be willing to move. Always be ready to take on tasks and do more than you’re asked. It’s about taking initiative,” Matheney said. “Even if you don’t see any instant gratification, it can’t hurt to work harder and do …show more content…
“It builds up over the years. All the stuff and advice your parents taught you. You don’t take it seriously at first, but then you realize that they’re right,” Matheny said.
Looking back, Matheney realizes he lived his life by this standard, which boils down to doing good work with a good attitude.
“Making sales is all about building trust. Be honest, and do what’s best for your client. Sometimes that means delivering bad news, but you still have to tell the truth. Lies are hard to forget,” Matheny said. “Do whatever you can to limit problems, but when they happen, jump head in. You aren’t the first one to deal with this, and you won’t be the last.”
Each day, Matheny advises you go to work with a positive attitude. “Don’t dread it. Give it all you got to the day you leave. Even if you don’t like it every second, you have to do the job to the best of your ability. You owe it to Davey. It’s a good company.” Matheny feels like part of the company because he’s an employee owner. He’s always seen the dividend checks “as a nice bonus.” Now, his stock played a part in helping him retire
Suggested Hed: TBD
Art RC - Jeffrey Matheney 1.JPG
Cutline: –After 33 years at Davey, Jeffrey Matheney retired on January 1st, 2015. Now, he spends his days making home improvements, dabbling in woodwork and riding his Harley.
Growing up on a tree farm in Indiana, Jeffrey Matheney planted his first sapling when he was only five years old. At that moment, with his hands covered in dirt, Matheny knew he wanted to work outside for the rest of his life.
As he helped his father plant, maintain and care for the trees on the 150-acre farm, Matheney learned a few more lifelong lessons.
“That was hard work. My dad was a worker in every sense of the word. And he expected me to be one,” Matheney …show more content…
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Purdue, he began working with a few landscaping companies.
“I was being recruited by Davey back in 1976 but didn’t officially join until 1982. Now, of course, I wish I had started earlier. I learned so much about tree care and business from Davey – way more than I would have at any of those other companies. At Davey, there are so many opportunities and levels of employment,” Matheney said.
Matheney learned this first-hand. During his 33 years at Davey, he worked his way up from a spray technician to a sales trainee, sales arborist and district manager.
As he got to see different aspects of the company, Matheney also got to travel to different areas of the country. He worked in Indianapolis and New Jersey before settling down with his family outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1988.
“If Davey asks you, be willing to move. Always be ready to take on tasks and do more than you’re asked. It’s about taking initiative,” Matheney said. “Even if you don’t see any instant gratification, it can’t hurt to work harder and do …show more content…
“It builds up over the years. All the stuff and advice your parents taught you. You don’t take it seriously at first, but then you realize that they’re right,” Matheny said.
Looking back, Matheney realizes he lived his life by this standard, which boils down to doing good work with a good attitude.
“Making sales is all about building trust. Be honest, and do what’s best for your client. Sometimes that means delivering bad news, but you still have to tell the truth. Lies are hard to forget,” Matheny said. “Do whatever you can to limit problems, but when they happen, jump head in. You aren’t the first one to deal with this, and you won’t be the last.”
Each day, Matheny advises you go to work with a positive attitude. “Don’t dread it. Give it all you got to the day you leave. Even if you don’t like it every second, you have to do the job to the best of your ability. You owe it to Davey. It’s a good company.” Matheny feels like part of the company because he’s an employee owner. He’s always seen the dividend checks “as a nice bonus.” Now, his stock played a part in helping him retire