Today we’re going to spotlight Emerging Leader Robert Waalkens! Robert is a Service Advisor at our Chevyland location and we thought we’d let him take a break from being a total rockstar to answer some questions about himself!
The Basics
City you were born in:
Escondido CA, (San Diego)
Where do you live now?
Marion IA
Tell us a little about your family (pets included!)
Well, I have been raising my 3 step kids for 11 years now they are 16, 19, and 21. I now have a beautiful daughter who is just like me and she is 15 months old. We have 4 dogs, 3 cars, and two 60 gallon fish tanks.
What was your first job? Did you love or hate it?
Selling newspaper sign-ups, door-to-door. I hated it.
What has your career been like so far?
A lot of sales/ management the last 11 years
Why did you want to become an Emerging Leader?
It will give me a great option to grow as a leader by learning from others that have experienced things that I have not. It also gives me a great opportunity to network with other people within the company.
What’s an accomplishment that you’re proud of?
My kids are amazing, they are my everything.
Dive in a Little Deeper!
What’s a passion that gets you fired up for your day?
I love to compete against myself, so I am constantly looking at how I have done something and what I can do to improve on it.
Who’s someone you admire, and why do you look up to them?
My dad, he is the best man I have ever known he has always just known the right answer in every situation and is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known. He gives me great goals to look up too.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love to golf, going target shooting is a blast, and starting this year, I’m going to play ice hockey for the first time.
One thing you want to do before you die:
Golf in all 50 states
Personal motto:
Happy wife, happy life… everyday is a good day when you’re walking and breathing
Something you’re good at that might surprise people?
I’m 32 years old and I just signed up for my first actual team sport I’m gonna play my first season of Ice Hockey.
What’s your definition of happiness?
My daughter, as cliché as that sounds.
What’s a piece of advice someone gave you that you apply everyday?
A little bit of kindness goes a long way, you have no idea how many people you’re gonna effect.
What do you hope to achieve at McGrath?
I don’t know yet, I wanna take it as it comes and an open mind to all of it. I would just like to do my best at every position I’m in at the time.
The Emerging Leader Program Interests Me Because…
…It will give me a great option to grow as a leader by learning from others that have experienced things that I have not. It also gives me a great opportunity to network with other people within the company.
Robert
Want to learn more about team members like our Emerging Leader Robert Waalkens? You can read all about our most recent group of graduates right here: Emerging Leaders 2021 Graduation