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James Burgess Employee Spotlight: 10 Years at Hugg & Hall

As a Product Support Sales Representative (a.k.a. “PSSR”), James Burgess sells parts and labor to the customer on the job site. For many of our customers in the Fort Smith, Arkansas area, he is the face of Hugg and Hall. We had the pleasure to sit down with him as he celebrates being with us for 10 years!

1. Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?

 

I was born and raised in Eufala, OK. When I was 22 years old, I left our home to go to college, earning my degree in Agriculture Education. I wanted to be a teacher! 

After I graduated, I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t want to teach and became a salesman instead. Along the way, I made my way out here to the Fort Smith area. 

 

2. How long have you been with Hugg & Hall? If you started in a different position, tell us how you got here!

 

Before I came to Hugg & Hall, I worked for a  business selling uniforms. One of my customers at the time was Hugg and Hall. I am a salesman through and through and I sold myself to Hugg & Hall.

Chris Shields (Vice President of Product Support) gave me an opportunity to work here and I have to say, I have got the best job in the world. I am celebrating 10 years here on April 2nd!

 

3. What does a day in the life of a PSSR look like?

 

Most days, I am on the street or talking to customer before 7:30A.M. Typically I am walking in 10-15 doors a day to speak with our customers.

My goal is to always be the first one a customer calls. Sometimes, you can get upwards of 120 calls a day, and I gladly welcome all of them.

The work definitely ebbs and flows. Some days it’s slow and others there’s not enough of you to go around! More than anything, every day I sell value of what we here at Hugg & Hall bring to the table.

 

4. The best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?

 

In 10 years of working here, I haven’t ever had a day that’s duplicated itself. It’s different every day around here. 

5. Do you have a favorite memory of your time here at Hugg & Hall?

My goodness, there are too many great moments I have had here to pick just one.

I will say this though, I love watching the process. It truly takes all of us to make the wheel turn here at Hugg & Hall. We all rely on each other and trust that each person is going to do their part all with the customer in mind. 

 

6. What do you like to do in your free time?

Woodworking! Also, I just bought 57 acres and will be doing stocker cattle.

7. What is an interesting or random fact about you people may not know?

At one time, I paid the bills as a rodeo announcer. 

8. Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.

“Life is on.” I’ve had to be still for a long time. I have gotten myself to where I can move and shake and I’m never gonna be still again.

What people are saying about James:

“When I first met James 10 years ago, I found out that equipment repairs were not, as James would say “his wheel house”. He went head-first into his new position wholeheartedly. He is quick to learn and knows what customer service is about. James has learned, and retained, what is needed in his job and is second to none in his performance.

He has indeed sold some unusual items over the years that are not related to equipment repairs, for instance, catchers masks for one of our poultry customers, step ladders (enough to reach the moon), pink trash cans, 800 lbs. of rock salt (snow storm for melting ice), stainless steel spaghetti colanders (to weigh chicken) and a host of other items. Our customers know if there is something they need, if anyone can supply it, James is the man to get it done.

James knows that we as a company have to make a profit, he also knows we have to be fair with the customer. He is the perfect mix of the guy in the middle in a marketplace where we are not the least expensive lift truck company in town. We are the best and I’ve heard him tell customers “There’s one thing you don’t get with the other guys, and, that’s James Burgess”.  -Holand Purifoy

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON 10 YEARS, JAMES! We appreciate you! 

To read more of our employee spotlights, check them out here! 

Employee Spotlights Archives – Hugg & Hall (hugghall.com)

Employee Spotlight: Treanaka Darensburg

Meet Treanaka Darensburg! 

Treanaka Darensburg is a Field Service Coordinator in our New Orleans/Destrehan service department and we love having her on our team. We enjoyed asking Treanaka a few questions and learning about what she likes to do away from work. 

Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?

I was born in what is called the Westbank- Avondale, Marrero, Harvey and Gretna, Louisiana. I currently live in Reserve, LA, outside of New Orleans.

How long have you been with Hugg & Hall? 

I have been with Hugg & Hall since October 2019. I started in Accounts Payable/Receivable with Scott Equipment 15 years ago. When an Office Manager position became available on the Toyota Material Handling side I jumped at the opportunity. Once Hugg & Hall and Scott Equipment traded product lines, I became a Field Service Coordinator for Hugg & Hall. I have been in this position for the last two years.

What does a day in the life of a Field Service Coordinator look like?

I start the morning off dispatching our technicians. Then I work on opening and preparing work orders for closing and sending out to customers. I also work on Parts Cart Requests and Recommended Repair forms. My day also involves sending out quotes and handling customer calls and emails. Oh, and lets not forget about doing invoices and receivers for Bill Pay. Just to name a few!  

The best part, or your favorite thing, about working for Hugg & Hall?

The people I work with.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to relax and travel in my free time.

What is an interesting or random fact people may not know about you?

I used to sing in the church choir. I can’t sing at all but I loved it!

Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.

“No One Owes You Anything”. People tend to think that others owe you something. I feel that anything you do should be done from your heart. Everything you get, you should work for and earn. So instead of feeling owed, you would feel satisfied and content knowing what you accomplished.

To get to know some of our other coworkers, visit our past employee spotlights!

2023 Update: Treanaka has been promoted to Parts Operation Manager! We can’t wait to see what her future with Hugg & Hall holds!

Employee Spotlight: Rental Sales Manager, Conner Tujague

 

As the Hugg & Hall Broussard Rental Sales Manager, Conner Tujague helps his team with everything from making the sale to finding the equipment the customer needs. We got in touch with him to learn a little bit more about his role and his favorite things about working for Hugg & Hall. 

Where is your hometown?

I grew up in the small town of Eunice, LA where rice and crawfish farming is the way of life for most citizens.  

How long have you been at Hugg & Hall?

I have been with Hugg & Hall for a little over two years.

What is your favorite thing about working for Hugg & Hall?

My favorite thing about working at Hugg & Hall is the culture. You have the freedom to choose your work style, which brings out the best in you.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here at Hugg & Hall?

One of my favorite memories here at Hugg & Hall is when I took a trip to Miami for The Natural Disasters Expo. I learned a lot about natural disaster needs. Free time allowed me to go site seeing as this was the first time I traveled to Miami.

Tell us a little bit about what a day in the life of a Rental Sales Manager looks like.

As a Rental Sales Manager, I receive a lot of calls needing assistance from my sales team. I don’t mind though because I truly like helping people out. A lot of this involves helping my team close on deals and find new opportunities.

What is something that people you work with may not know about you?

I like to play competitive sports. Tennis is my favorite and I played it throughout my childhood and into high school. It’s hard to have time to play now with family and work taking up most of my free time but I plan on teaching my kids when they are older. I tried introducing them to the game, but they end up playing on the playground.

Tell us your favorite quote and what it means to you.

My favorite quote is “No Pain, No Gain”. I believe nothing great in life comes easy. You must work hard and go through trials and tribulations to achieve greatness. Nobody has ever said the journey to the top of the mountain was easy, but there is a lot of lessons to learn on the way up and you will appreciate the top that much more. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

First and foremost, I don’t consider Hugg & Hall being work. I was always told to find something you love to do, and you will never work a day in your life. I truly enjoy my time at Hugg & Hall. Besides my time at Hugg & Hall, I spend it with my family. I am married to my high school sweetheart who which we have three daughters and a baby on the way (Praying for BOY). My daughters love to spend their time outside. Whether it be swinging and riding bikes or swimming at our neighborhood pool.

To contact our rental department or find out more about what equipment we have available for rent, go to our RENTAL PAGE.

 

 

Employee Excellence: Michael Cooper

We take pride in honoring our hard-working employees. When Toyota Material Handling gifted us with a brand new Big Green Egg, we decided to give the generous gift to a team member who exceeds employee excellence daily. After careful consideration, the Hugg & Hall parts departments came to a unanimous decision that no one is more deserving than parts counterperson, Michael Cooper.

Michael has been with the company for just over 5 years. In his current role, he continually tops the charts for parts sales in our Little Rock location. He’s consistently top three in parts sales company wide. He is gold level Toyota certified and is the go-to in the company for Toyota parts. Michael has earned the respect from all his coworkers and is a fan favorite with customers due to his positive attitude and professionalism! 

Hugg & Hall is proud to have this equipment professional on our team. Thank you Michael Cooper for all of your hard work and dedication– we are lucky to have you! If you are interested in becoming part of the Hugg & Hall team, visit our hiring site today!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2020. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in February 2023.