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The Service Roundtable’s Hall of Leaders
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Jeff Forker |
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As the publisher of Contracting Business Magazine and later, the group vice president over a series of contracting magazines, Jeff held an important position in the air conditioning industry. And indeed, Jeff was one of the industry’s most influential people.
Jeff’s influence, however, far exceeded any clout that his position naturally gave him. His power within the industry came more from the force of his personality, a natural leadership ability, and the moral authority he embodied than from his position in the trade press.
Jeff Forker’s impact was wide ranging and largely unnoticed. No one probably knows all of the ways Jeff exerted a positive influence on the air conditioning industry, because Jeff usually worked behind the scenes. He liked it that way. It allowed him to get more done.
Jeff was the contractor’s best friend and the industry’s guardian angel. He quietly ended feuds that hurt the contractor and hindered the industry. He subtly steered manufacturers away from courses of action that would harm the contractor and damage the industry. He built bridges between people and groups. He watched over the industry like a father watches his children at the playground.
Both Dominick Guarino (president of the National Comfort Institute) and Alex Carney (an industry consultant who has since left the national scene to pursue local wealth) refer to Jeff as a second father. Jeff not only watched over the industry, he watched over the careers of people, including Service Roundtable CEO, Matt Michel.
Jeff felt it important to nurture and develop the next generation of leaders. One of his enduring legacies will be the people he helped develop and the sense of obligation he instilled in them to help others in their turn.
Jeff was someone vital and larger than life. He was known for his quick wit and ready laugh. Jeff was mischievous. He loved to poke fun at people and loved it more when people poked fun at him.
On his deathbed, Jeff continued to focus on other people. This was typical Jeff. Once, when told he was to receive a prestigious award from the Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Institute, Jeff lobbied for them to share it with another.
The world would be a better place if there were more Jeff Forkers in the world. The world needs more people who work for the betterment of their industry. The world needs more people who feel an obligation to mentor others and prepare the next generation.
Jeff was a true Servant Leader.
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© 2008 Service Roundtable |
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