[WRE | SPOTLIGHT]
Dedicated Character, Lusk Celebrates Milestone with J. HENRY HOLLAND
BY PATRICIA GLYNN T
his year marks a milestone for Larry Lusk. As general manager for J. Henry Holland (JHH), the Virginia Beach headquartered manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of lifting products for industrial, commercial, and specialty applications, Lusk celebrates thirty years with the brand this October.
It’s a notable accomplishment. It’s also one Lusk can hardly believe has come due as time truly does fl y by when everything has been, as he’s well known for saying, “all good.” “It’s hard to believe it’s been so long,” he observes.
“My life has been enriched in so many positive ways, both personally and professionally, thanks to my affi liation with this company and with this industry as a whole.” In the late 1970’s, fresh out of high school, Lusk never imagined he’d be where he is today. In reality, as a young man, he yearned for adventure and was more interested in making extra money so that he might purchase a boat. He initially took on two jobs to satisfy the latter
goal – working at a local gas station and at Virginia’s Newport News Shipyard as a welder and ship fi tter. Eventually, he became an off shore commercial fi sherman, which fulfi lled his desire for excitement. After fi ve years at sea, Lusk wanted back on solid land and a newspaper advertisement led the way. “I saw an ad for an opening for a salesperson experienced
with wire rope, cordage, and marine hardware. It was a small, family-run start-up – Hampton Roads Trading Company. I was thrilled!” It was a perfect fi t, he recalls. Interestingly, it was this job which would actually lead him to JHH. “I competed against the JHH’s salesman at that time, Rick Sawin. We were friendly and, at one point, he told me they were hiring.” Lusk applied and the rest, as the adage goes, is history. T e year after Lusk joined the fi rm, in 1984, Baltimore,
Maryland-based Indusco Group purchased JHH. It was a move which was, according to Lusk, “the best thing that could have ever happened. T ey invested heavily in us, both from an inventory perspective, and in making certain we were poised for future success.” In 2011, change was yet again afoot when Mazzella
Lifting Technologies purchased the entire Indusco Group of Companies. “T is merger,” according to Lusk, “created one of the largest and most uniquely positioned groups of rigging shops in the country. Because of it, I found myself fortunate enough to partner with the knowledgeable Mazzella management team, particularly Craig Hayward, who I’ve enjoyed working with and learning from.” Hayward, Mazzella’s president, is likewise keen on
Lusk. He describes Lusk as “a solid representative for JHH and the Mazzella Companies.
“His enthusiasm, vast product knowledge, and
his forthright approach all make him very eff ective. Moreover, his ability to lead and to never ask for more than he would ask of himself sets him apart. And he’s well known throughout our industry for his willingness to go out of his way to help.” Dick Kilburn, an industry colleague and vice
president of sales for Puget Sound Rope, part of T e Cortland Companies, has known Lusk for twenty years and readily concurs. “He’s one of the best people to work
with. He always follows through and has impressive business prowess. Even if he has to deliver bad news, he does it with tact and while fully emphasizing the good which might come of it. He’s consistently upbeat and always encouraging.” Like the brand which employs him,
Lusk has himself experienced changes over the years. For example, he’s tried his hand at a number of positions with JHH, all with the intent of gaining further insight and increasing his skill level. “I’ve worked in the warehouse to become more familiar
with the variety of rigging, hardware, and industrial products. I worked in the various fabrication shops, too, and even spent time in inside sales, answering phones and writing orders.” No matter which role he’s found himself in, one thing which has been especially signifi cant for him are the many meaningful relationships he’s developed. “I have so many wonderful memories – enough to last more than a lifetime. When you work with people for thirty years, they become like family.” Similarly valuable to him is the wisdom he’s accumulated. “One important lesson I’ve learned is to listen. It can be challenging, but being a good listener, with co-workers and customers alike, is indispensible. “It’s imperative, too, to always be truthful.
Customers will be loyal when they can count on you to tell it like it is.” Going forward, Lusk hopes to continue with JHH
for many years to come. As he sees it, “there are lots of growth opportunities. It’s all very exciting!” y
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2013 19
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