Coworkers: Joe Leonard
If you work in the construction industry, you’ll likely hear two valuable lessons: keep your head on a swivel and a positive attitude goes a long way. For Joe Leonard, quality control technician in our IL South region, this is something he was taught early on, and it’s what keeps his relationships with his coworkers and customers rock solid.
Joe is a frontline coworker—someone who physically shows up to deliver a service or product and is often the face of Ozinga for our customers. Ozinga’s core values of service, learning and entrepreneurship are something he takes very seriously, and he aims to deliver the best service with each customer interaction.
“I place myself into a category where if we have a job on the line, I’m there; things will be taken care of,” said Joe. “I got to that point by talking to customers and showing them that I cared. It was huge for them.”
A day in the life of a QC technician is anything but ordinary. QC’s job is to anticipate what will happen with the load of concrete and make future predictions based on wind, weather and other elements. Oftentimes, Joe says the best thing to do to ensure the best product is delivered is to follow it directly to the site after testing.
In 2017 during a large-scale project along Route 50 in Manteno, Joe was recognized by the State of Illinois for his role in the two-year project.
“You could say I was like a coordinator for the three companies who were working on the project,” said Joe. By staying in close contact with all three companies, he was able to keep everyone in check and working ahead of schedule.
“Being physically there in the thick of it helps me see any problems firsthand, and it’s how I build a relationship and trust with the customer,” said Joe.
When Joe isn’t at a jobsite or at work testing concrete, he can usually be found managing
his own business as a cannabinol (CBD) provider. It’s something he’s proud to be a part of—helping provide people with relief from common ailments.
“I started my business selling CBD oil to help people,” said Joe. “CBD may help some people with their mental health or with their physical health.”
Joe says each day he wakes up asking himself how he can make a positive impact on others, and whether it be at work or at home, he says he pushes himself daily to make that his purpose in life.
“Having a good reputation at work for going the extra mile is important,” said Joe. “But I want to have a good reputation for being a good human too.”
Joe recalled a time when he approached a stalled vehicle on the road. While several cars drove past and honked, he got out of his car and saw a young lady in the driver’s seat crying. As it turns out, she had just received her driver’s license and her car died in the middle of the road.
“I helped push her out of the road and out of harm’s way, and it’s those little moments that push me to make a positive impact whenever possible,” said Joe. “I’ve made it my mission to be someone people are relieved to see.”
