Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence
Jacque Kerr, Chair of the Board of Directors
35 Years of pursuing the vision of Fresh Air Manufacturing Company (FAMCO).
Every milestone, every success story, every triumph is a reminder of where we used to be. It has been 35 years since our founder, Marty Artis, began that journey that has not only shaped his manufacturing facility, but also his family’s legacy.
Jacque Kerr is one member of our team that feels an extreme sense of pride and nostalgia for this milestone. Carrying on his work as his daughter, and FAMCO’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Jacque can talk directly about those humble beginnings transforming into great successes.
Marty had a vision to create an HVAC manufacturing facility that prioritized quality, innovation, and commitment to its employees. With little more than a small team set up in his backyard and an unyielding determination, he began turning that vision into reality. Marty didn’t have much in those early years, but he believed his perseverance would pay off.
As the years went by, and FAMCO continued to grow, Jacque says that she was never pressured to be part of the family business. “It wasn’t ever discussed until he was getting ready to retire.” Marty found value in his children pursuing their interests and own careers, without relying on FAMCO to be their future. It wasn’t until 2014, when Marty hired a General Manager/ Exit Consultant that asked if Marty’s kids were capable or interested in being part of the company. A couple of years later, the two met with the kids to discuss the opportunity. Jacque and her brother Aaron were initially hesitant to engage in family business. After many months of studying the company and opportunity for growth, they both felt compelled to carry on the FAMCO legacy.
“Our family agreed early on that nothing was worth damaging our family relationships, and we’ve been fortunate to have many mentors guide us on how to operate a multi-generational family business. It’s never been easy, but it’s been an extremely fulfilling career that has given me great joy and opportunity. I couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities of the next decade.”
When Jacque stepped into her role as the Chief Financial Officer at FAMCO in 2016, Marty had exceedingly high expectations for her and her brother. “He didn’t want to give handouts or praise freely because we were family”. Even with her experience and professional training, Jacque knew she needed as much mentorship and guidance as she could get. She read dozens of leadership and finance books, enrolled in numerous leadership training courses, and constantly asked for advice from teammates and mentors.
Jacque now sits as the Chair of the Board of Directors where she can focus on the operation’s big picture. She is passionate about creating outstanding workplace cultures and how that applies to the vision and leadership of FAMCO. Jacque continues to learn and is currently completing a Certificate in Private Company Governance, then plans to lead the board through Board Leadership training to prepare for the next stages of growth.
Jacque had to practice a lot of humility in her first several years at FAMCO but says she would do it all again for the way it has impacted her life. “Getting the opportunity to be mentored by my dad in business and as a leader is something I will always cherish”. She explains how being a business partner has deepened her appreciation for him. “My dad had many difficult trials throughout his lifetime, and his legacy of overcoming hardship and creating opportunity is core to our identity at FAMCO.”
In 2018, Jacque and her family got the terrible news that her father was diagnosed with an uncurable cancer. Jacque witnessed her father’s resilience and grit in his final years more than ever before. “He worked very hard to prepare the company and family for what was coming.” Trying to process what time they had left with him, the FAMCO team showed unwavering support and kindness.
One of the ways FAMCO is honoring Marty‘s legacy is through their new “Marty’s Month” sabbatical program. The program gives every employee a paid month-long sabbatical every 5 years. This was a collaborative idea between the Board and Management to honor both Marty and the employees of FAMCO for their dedication to building the company into what it is today. Jacque explains that “FAMCO wants you to have interests, dreams, and passions outside of work.” This program is a game changer for current and prospective employees.
This year every employee was provided with a copy of a significant letter Marty wrote in 2004 titled, “The Future of FAMCO”. In this letter, he describes his vision and how “FAMCO was created to take care of both customers and employees. Both have needs, goals, and purpose”.
Jacque explains, “It is my personal belief that as leaders it is our job to take care of our employees better than any employer so our employees can take care of our customers better than any competitor.” She continues, “It is not just about adding frills and benefits, it’s about thoughtfully and creatively finding ways to improve employee health, happiness, and engagement – which leads to better performance. Balanced, rested, healthy, happy employees perform better. This is a win-win for the employee and company and is a competitive advantage for companies who embrace it.”
FAMCO continues to fulfill Marty’s vision of taking care of their employees with the launch of their English classes, a sabbatical program and their new facility in Nampa. She said none of this would be possible without the dedication and loyalty of the FAMCO team continuing to provide our customers with unparalleled lead times and quality in the HVAC market.” Jacque also shares her appreciation for our dedicated Management Team and CEO, Jeff, who have been instrumental in guiding our progress over the past 5 years.
In Q4, FAMCO is excited to introduce GoodWell surveys, an innovative approach to measure and improve employee engagement. “My hope is that all employees take advantage of this to share their opinions and ideas to help management find better ways to continuously improve our business and culture.”
As we celebrate 35 years of operation, we have had the opportunity to hear several stories. Each story is a testament not only to our craft, but to each other. With that, we must recognize the invaluable contributions of Jacque Kerr, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping our journey. From her innovative approaches to her commitment to fostering a collaborative workplace culture, she has not only upheld our legacy but also propelled us into a promising future. As we look ahead, we are grateful for her leadership and unwavering support, which will continue to drive our success for years to come.
