Making Contact
FieldForce Assistant Manager of Operations Jason Byrd sees some similarities between his new position as a manager and his former position as a millwright. “It’s a change in many ways but in some ways it’s also the same,” he said. “I just don’t use the same tools anymore that I use to, and now I deal with situations that are much different than being in the field.”
Byrd was promoted to Assistant Manager of Operations several months ago after joining FieldForce as a millwright in 2019. “It’s taken discipline and strong leadership. I constantly want to raise the bar to a new level. The opportunity came along, and I was ready for the challenge,” he said.
In his new role, Byrd assists in the interviewing, vetting and placement of current and new workers to clients all over the country. He ensures FieldForce’s multi-skilled workers are placed in the best fitting jobs available. “I get the opportunity to work with our recruiters and clients while doing this,” he said. “I also ensure our workers are in a safe and acceptable work environment while keeping safety as a Number One priority.”
A typical day as assistant manager of operations includes mostly communicating with FieldForce workers, recruiters and clients throughout the day to ensure smooth operations. Byrd also travels to work sites to meet with technicians and customers. “It’s mostly about building relationships and teamwork. It can be very demanding and challenging at times, but I’m always up for it,” he said.
Traveling and working at the same time can be a chore because the workload doesn’t stop when Byrd is on the road. He’s had to find ways to adapt and make the combination of work and travel operate as efficiently as possible.
“It keeps me on the move,” Byrd said. “I have to be ready and willing to always think outside the box and step outside my comfort zone. We don’t grow by being comfortable all the time; we grow by putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations that we can learn from.” He believes the key to managerial success is keeping an open mind, having a great attitude and understanding that life is always a new experience.
But, Byrd never feels too alone on the road because his wife, Crystal, is FieldForce’s lead recruiter. “We have been married for ten years; she’s my best friend,” he said. “What better person is there to work with every day as a team? When you have a great partner by your side to combine great work ethics and ideas, you can only succeed.”