Tom LeTourneau
General Manager
Gill Bebco, LLC, Lenexa, Kansas
Number of direct reports: 41
Nominated by: Beth Suter, Kenny Weiland, Cheryl Becker, MAS, Amber Wiles, Melissa Fitkin, Ann White and Jennifer Gomez
Tom LeTourneau (center) is all smiles shown here with five of his nominators. From left: Melissa Fitkin, Ann White, Beth Suter, Amber Wiles and Kenny Wieland.
Tom’s cool factor: Tom’s mind never shuts down. “You can see his mechanical mind always working,” says nominator Cheryl Becker, MAS. “He has a quiet side to him that makes you want to make him talk. We have shared the bad with the good and still stayed friends.”
Tom LeTourneau, who will soon retire, built his career for the past 34 years at supplier Gill Studios, Inc. and then moved to Bebco two years ago when his employer acquired the supplier. It was an ideal opportunity to use his people management skills to help guide and support the growing company. While his new reports praise LeTourneau’s abilities (and a number of them nominated him for this honor), he’s also retained longtime devotees such as nominator Cheryl Becker, who reported to him at Gill for 30 years. “Tom is responsible for teaching me the print and technical side of manufacturing,” she says. “He remained my mentor when he left Gill and moved to take on the challenge of rebuilding Bebco. He has always been that person in the background that made us what we are today. He has a ‘never say no’ attitude.”
Nominator and purchasing manager Beth Suter, who was at Bebco when it was acquired, praises LeTourneau—and for good reason. “He helped save about 35 people’s jobs after Gill Studios bought Bebco,” she says. “He came in and let everyone continue doing the jobs they were used to doing, and got to know the employees, equipment, products and processes before making any changes.” Her colleague, customer service manager Kenny Wieland, shares her admiration for their boss. “Tom has instilled a high standard of integrity and honesty in the company since Bebco opened,” he says. “He is dedicated to providing a quality product, excellent service and prompt delivery to our customers—and his dry sense of humor will brighten up the day.”
One-On-One With Tom LeTourneau
Most important lesson learned as a boss:
As a boss you are always being watched by your associates for what you do and say. Set a good example.
Philosophy for successfully managing people:
Hold associates accountable for their actions in the company. Set goals and prioritize them. Do not micromanage.
To create a positive team culture:
Praise in public and discipline in private. Every day, make the rounds and say hello to the associates. Listen and share information. Have fun and be happy.
Best advice for other people managers?
When something goes wrong do not quickly assume it is a people issue. Look at the process first.
Best boss ever:
My best boss was the one who hired me at Gill Studios—Jim Westendorff. He had a mild-mannered style of managing that was still effective. When the right people were placed in the right positions he trusted them to do a good job.
