I know what you’re thinking.  I, Jeff Bower, am OEM’s first parts man.  I’ve been a Deere parts man since 1981 and that experience helped form the basis of our company.  My grandfather once told me to never open a cafe’ unless you know how to cook.  I took his advice and it has served me well.  In a pinch, I can still sell parts effectively.   I spent many years trying to train various people to replace me as the lead parts man at OEM.  I tried secretaries, mechanics, even a parts counter man from a Deere dealership, with limited success.  I always wound up back in the kitchen.    Then 3 years ago, Jose Juan (JJ) Lopez came to work for us.  He grew up a Hispanic in Idaho, a mainly white culture.  I grew up a gringo in Corpus Christi TX, a mainly Hispanic culture.  Almost immediately, we realized that we understood both cultures from our unique perspectives.  And we came to respect one another right away.  We also share very similar paths.  He started at a JI Case dealership in shipping and receiving, 18 years ago.  He became the back parts counter man, where the mechanics came to rely on him.  He was promoted to front parts counter, then spent many years as a parts manager.  He eventually took a job at an independent equipment dealer as parts manager.  My path is almost identical.  JJ is truly a professional parts man.  He transitioned from JI Case to John Deere almost immediately, one sign of a true professional.  His genuine smile and calm confident demeanor is obvious to anyone who deals with him.  He is always kind and courteous to every single customer and employee.  Always!  Since his arrival, our sales have increased by leaps and bounds.  He is a very driven hard working man and he works diligently to fulfill every single parts request, large or small.  Like me, he truly enjoys helping people get their equipment up and running.  For the first time in our 22 years in business, I can be absent from the company and it has no effect on sales.  When JJ started here, I told him that he could have the Parts Manager job but he was gonna’ have to rip it from my hands.  He has done that and is now in charge of our parts department.  You’ll never find a happier, more competent, respectful  person than JJ Lopez.  Give him a shout and you’ll see what I mean.

 

Jeff Bower

“Clean” John Caraway is a mechanic.  I mean he’s REALLY a mechanic.  He told me his first recollection of turning wrenches was rebuilding a lawn mower engine when he was 10.  He has been performing his magic at OEM Replacement Parts for many years and his work is impeccable.  Somehow, John can work on tractor components all day and never get a speck on him, hence the Clean John nickname.  Plus, he’s just a smooth, calm, likable person.  If you’ve purchased a transmission from us and it is still working perfectly, John was likely involved.  When he went to work for us, we weren’t able to test electronic shift transmissions because the on board computer was needed to shift through the clutch packs.  One weekend, John had a brain storm (he has lots) and he showed up Monday morning with his own switch box.  We are now able to manually energize the shift solenoids and test those complex transmissions.  John sets the standard on work ethic, attendance, product quality, and effective, intelligent communication.  Sometimes, one person can make a HUGE difference in a company.  At OEM Replacement Parts, “Clean” John Caraway has done just that and we are thankful every day for having him.  We love you John!

 

Jeff Bower