Rocky Gill Second and Third Chances B orn in Tyler, Texas, Rocky Gill moved
10 times during his childhood because of his father’s job as a salesman. As a result, Rocky decided when he finished college he would settle somewhere and stay there the rest of his life. In 1981, after graduating from a private Christian college in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with an accounting degree, Rocky moved back to Tyler. His grandmother, who lived there, set him up with an interview at a CPA firm which promptly offered him a job.
Rocky later became a controller for a health care organization. This was a great career, but Rocky wondered whether he might find a better fit owning a business. “I worked hard and took my job personally,” Rocky said. “The trouble was that I was just on a salary, so I wasn’t being compensated for my extra efforts. I began to think it might make sense if I could find some way to work for myself.”
A friend of his opened an Express Employment Professionals office and started telling Rocky about the advantages of being an Express franchisee. “Before I knew it, my friend arranged for me to go to headquarters in Oklahoma City for what Express calls Discovery Day,” Rocky said. “I found myself being shown around the office. I didn’t know it at the time but the company leaders were evaluating me to see if I’d fit into the Express family. Since I had not realized what this event was all about, I had not prepared financially to make a buying decision. The company leaders must have sensed my insecurities because at the end of Discovery Day, I wasn’t offered a franchise.”
For Rocky, this was a difficult time. He had loved Express from the moment he walked in the door. “The whole feel of the place emanated with excitement, integrity, and positive energy.
I was especially impressed with CEO Bob Funk. I could tell he was an extraordinary man who had built a fantastic team of people around him. I knew then that this was the kind of company I wanted to be associated with.”
Two years later, Rocky had another chance, but a different obstacle arose. A verbal commitment was given to a neighboring franchisee saying his territory could include Tyler. That news was extremely disappointing for Rocky.
However, the other franchisee changed his mind, deciding he didn’t want Tyler as part of his territory. “Needless to say, I went right back for the next Discovery Day and was accepted for a franchise,” Rocky said.
After 18 years as an Express franchisee, Rocky has his share of stories to tell. One associate who stands out in his mind is a lady named Sue who came in upset because she had just been fired from her job as a bookkeeper. As Sue told her story to Rocky, her eyes filled with tears and Rocky’s heart went out to her.
Determined to help, the office called the health care company where Rocky once worked, and it turned out they needed someone in admitting. Sue ended up working for that company for 15 years and only recently retired.
“Sue’s story caught my attention and captured my heart, but there are so many stories like hers,” Rocky said. “For some people, coming to Express is like going to the hospital. They come in here in pain. They come in as a last resort. They are at their lowest moment, and we are able to offer them hope.”
In addition to helping people find jobs, Rocky loves spending time with his granddaughter and playing the piano.
25
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99
