The Parks Way with guest Erik Ramirez Payroll & HR Manager

Tune in to hear erik's journey!  Erik has his story of coming here from another country and becoming an US citizen.  He explains how his mom helped mold him into the man he is today!  Erik believes in family and enjoys every minute he spends with his wife and two sons.

Transcript

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Good afternoon, your host of the parks way podcast, Wyatt Tucker. I'm sitting here on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, the humidity is not as bad. And I have a very special guest across from me, Mr. Eric Ramirez. Hello, Eric. Hey, how are you? Doing great, Eric, the objective of this thing is to speak into the microphone so we can move that if you have not ever seen a podcast, but we're going on scripted here. So Eric, you want the beyond the call of duty award for the past quarter. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Yay. Learn about doing this podcast thing. But anyways, just wanted to bring you on here. This podcast is all about leadership. It's talking about how you set yourself different from other parks employees. And you know, you got a quite an amazing story. So I just wanted to kind of see if you share that a little bit this morning, or excuse me this evening. Does that sound good? Yeah, yeah. Awesome. Let's do it. So Eric, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where you from? Where you're raised? Everything. Okay. Yeah. So I'm originally from Mexico City. I came here to the United States back in 1995. I believe I was about seven years old when I came here. didn't know any English. So I was just, you know, I didn't know what to think, you know, come into a new place. So yeah, I mean, it was, it was, you know, a new adventure. So you know, moving a little bit fast forward, you know, he got to get to other brothers, right. Yep. So I have technical difficulty there. We're doing some new things on the podcast today, but two brothers that Yep. I got two brothers. They actually work here. I think one is in the delivery team and the other one punches, right? Yes. So good. Now we're starting a little traction here. So you move up here. For Mexico? Yes. You're eight years old? Seven, eight, somewhere around there. Be experienced there you leave your grandmother grandparents back. Yeah. grandparents? uncles. Yeah, we came straight here to Monroe. Really? Yeah. Why? We have an uncle that, you know, lives here. He's been here for years. Thank God, no, but he was already here when I got here. So we kind of follow follow them, you know, okay. be close to family. What did your parents say about that experience? Or why you're doing because this is a big deal? Well, I mean, you know, just like, you know, anybody you know, that they want to, they want to better themselves. You know, they want to leave that American dream. So that's what they told you. That's, I mean, I was seven back then, you know, they just kind of said, Hey, you know, we're, we're moving. So that's all I knew we were moving this to the US and that's it. So, I'll do like the whole cross the pond, or the burlap sack thing or? Well, you know, I guess you can say something like that, you know, have a truck you back in the truck, you know, just, you know, I don't remember that whole thing. You know, you know, when you're young, you're seven, you're six, you know, it's just like, you know, whatever you do, you just do what your parents tell you to do. Next thing you know, like I said, I'm here. You know, you're riding on the on the van, you know, for y'all really did do that thousands of miles. From what I can remember, now, there's no CIA. No, no, no. I know. I know. Take it away. Yeah. I think that's what we did. Okay, you know, I couldn't really tell you again, you know, I was just a kid. You know, I remember the incitement to the podcast, you should have said, Yeah, you know, I swam the Rio de Janeiro grande and on horseback, I would be lying if I said that. Swim because I don't I don't know how to swim. I've seen you quite it's quite embarrassing. But no. Okay, so you move here to Monroe. Did you know English? I did not know. I do not know. Nothing, nothing at all. So, you know, my uncle has been here for years. First thing he said when I got here, actually, after a week I got here. He said, you're going to learn your ABCs Alright, so I still remember that like it was yesterday. So he's like, yep, here's your ABCs learned him. And every day when I come back from work, I'm going to ask you to tell me the ABCs Wow. And it took me about a whole month I learned my ABCs and don't phonics no hook, don't finance. No, nothing. No, no. Teacher. No, no zoom. Were you in school? I was. I was I actually, you know, if I'm not mistaking, I came here around June July. Okay. So, yeah, I had a little bit you know, not a lot but let's say you know, I was in school, but I did not know any English at all. Okay, so you move here, family, their eyes here and celebrate, you know, accelerate a little bit. You are graduating high school growing up. What did you want to be? I honestly did not know. But when I was younger, I wanted to be a police officer. Ironically, you married a police. I did? I did? Yes. Ah, she's bilingual. She is good for you, man. Good for you. So you want to be a police officer? Like a walker. Texas Ranger police officers just man in blue. Did you watch the chips growing up? You remind me of Fonzie. I think this is only on the show chips. You're watching the show. And not on? Yeah, I was younger than I am. Anyways. Good. So go to high school. Did you graduate? Yep. So I went to high school. I went to Monroe High School. Yay. You're a hawk. Am I right? hog man. Am I right? Yeah, it learned something today. And so what was your plan? Were? Well, I honestly didn't have a plan. You know, I graduated back in 2006. I actually graduated a semester early. I was getting tired of school man. You know, you you're a teenager. You know, and you don't want to wire early. So you could have just quit. I could have. I could have quit. I actually kind of thought about it. You know, to be honest. But then I was like, Nah, you know, there's no point. I'm this close. You know, let's just finish and and finish the semester early. Why? I don't know. I guess I was tired of waking up early in the morning. You know, going to school. Why did you finish? Why did I finish choice there? I had a choice. Yeah, we work in or anything? I wasn't working. So you just want to get a score. I just want to get out of school? Why? I don't know. I guess I got tired of it. You know, I'm asking you. Why did you decide to do it early? Why did you choose the hard? The hard path? There's there's really only two there. You either you do it or you don't? Right. He could have I guess maybe there's a third or here's a one B option of where you could have, you know, finished on time, like every other normal 18 year old 1718 year old but you did it early. Mm hmm. Or you could have quit because you didn't like it true. Why did you? Why did you make that? Well, I guess I was you know, obviously, again, I was a teenager. I was back to the ABCs No, no, I was just tired of going to school. You know. And then I guess at that time, my dad wasn't around. You know, so my mom was the only one at home. She was the one working all the time. He was actually in Mexico still. Yeah. So he that's a big piece. We missed that. Yeah. I did. Come up here. He did. He did come up here back. He went back. Back when I was in middle school, he went back. So it's like I grew up without a father for those years. And so I was kind of being like that rebel boy kind of thing. You know, kind of oldest starchy, I am the oldest. So we'll come back to that. See, I mean, you're wrong. bounce around here. See your mom was only one homie to have a dead what it has to do with you making the decision of finishing early. Where were you going with again? So I guess I was just, you know, well, I was tired of going to school. Right? It's like I wanted to move on to something else. I didn't know whether something else was other than probably get a job and start from there. Right. So that's where my mind was, you know, I'm tired of going to school. I'm probably not going to go to college. Right? Because, you know, can't afford to think about that, then I did. Wow. Okay. And so, you know, I knew I wasn't going. Did you fill up a sense of appreciation when you did graduate early? I didn't. Did you surprise yourself? I did. That you actually did it? Yeah. Yeah. I was actually proud of myself that, you know, I finished early, because, you know, my friends were still deal going to school and I was at home, you know, trying to find a job, but not really trying. But you know. So, good. Thanks for finishing that. Yeah, I mean, I think that that kind of aligns with who you are today, where you'll dig deep down, you dig your heels in, if you got something she got to get done to get it done. You'll get it done fast. And that's a good thing. So that kind of mirror set. Stepping back a minute. So Ramon leaves a middle school family goes through a big ordeal. Mm hmm. Moving to a whole nother country. Yep. POS picks up heads back, told me to get a house for six of six of that. But as Boy, you know, I want to be around my dad. Right? Yeah, that you want to be around your dad. I've been around your dad. He's a funny who can do? moms a lot like me. But how'd you get through that experience? Man? Like that's, that's, that's, that's a tough, tough thing to do. It is it is. And so, you know, back then my dad was different. He was a different person than he is now. You know? He Oh, yeah. But, um, so I wasn't even thinking about that. I guess, you know, maybe certain times where, you know, So was he not? Are you saying this maybe in like, in a negative way? Right. Just to be brutally honest. He's a may not have been as a good guy. Because I you know, I don't know much about him other than Yeah, so you know, so if that if that's the case. Then Okay, I get it. Yeah. But still, right. You're still you dad. Yeah. And your mom is around. She's got three boys to deal with. Oh, yeah. You know what? You're kind of the man of the house. Right. I was you to grow up quick. I did. I did. I kind of maybe aligns with you getting done faster. Maybe? Right. to a certain point. Yeah. Yeah. Interesting. I didn't know that. So they shared all that. But your mom is working and you're graduating early. Your brothers are younger. What? What's your next movie? What are you what are you doing graduating high school man? You got life by the by the horns. Yeah. So you know, I didn't. Obviously again, I didn't plan on going to college. I didn't think I was gonna make it or didn't have the funds. Oh, yeah. Money. Just money. Yeah. smarter. So what did you think you're smart enough to go to college? You graduated or why did you think I was? Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, that was just a dream. You know, that. You know, I wanted to go, but I knew I couldn't do it. You know, because of money. You know? So I decided to get a job. Yeah, I do. I do thinking back now it's like, you know, I should have done it. I should have went I should have done something about it. You know, too. We ended up going to school at some. I mean, I did, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay, so you go get a job. What's your first job? So my first job was actually doing you know, heating and air for these guy that yeah, that's very rare. It is. It is the first job they have the heat in there, huh? Yep. Yeah. Good. I did. I was actually doing change outs for this guy. I was helping them out do change outs and, you know, changes the flats and big boots and stuff like that. No, actually, Victor knows him. Oh, so was this. Does that not do with your other uncle, right? No, it doesn't know Interesting. Okay, so How'd that go? It went good. I actually did it for about a year and a half. And then I decided to move on and try something else. Why? I guess I was money hungry. Okay, if that's what you call it. We'll fast forward now. Now you now you approve the payroll for the change out, guys? Yes, I do. And, you know, you've progressed quite progressively through the years of being hired as a CSR. Mm hmm. Or something like that, I think. Right. Yeah. I was hired to be a CSR to now you control and run the payroll for millions of dollars. Yes. And have a financial background of what we're doing and doing that, right. Yes. So I think, you know, we kind of we kind of learn a little bit about who you were, and what you were grown up what you're raised in. I learned a lot there about your dad and your mom and your brothers and all that. And you kind of be in kind of kind of answers a couple questions. I had my head in, you did change out for about a year and a half. And now, like I said, you know, you're an officer of the company here, you're, you know, it, many would say it would be my right hand, man. You've weathered the storm of Tom and Diane and I. Good, bad and ugly, right? Yes. You have family here. They've sustained and worked out where we haven't had that kind of success in the past. You know, he kind of transition in the podcast into that. Why do you think that's the case? What is that? We're where, huh? Are you crazy? Nah, we're going on that piece. I mean, you know, man, I mean, I think that that tells that's a good story. It's a good journey of where you come from of you know, man, you took a chance coming to work for us and as a CSR, right there all CSR CSRS do go k they make the money, they don't make as good of money to change out guys. But you kind of realize, I wonder for you, yeah. You know, what? What is it? He is? What is the deep down about your leadership that you were able to overcome those challenges to get to the point where you are today? Oh, that's a that's a loaded question there, man. Give it a shot. I don't. I don't I'm not 100% Sure. You know, I mean, so who did you look up to growing up? who wasn't? So my grandfather was the one I was look up to. Right? Because, you know, he was actually there when my dad wasn't there. Okay. So well, you know, I think with end characteristics, and I'm gonna try and help bail you out of this, because I won't get it out of you. But I want I want to kind of nobody wants they hear me talk enough during the day. But anyways, you know, when you think about leadership, or we, we've talked over these podcasts, there's always a significant person early on in their life could have been mom could have been debt could be grandparents could have been preacher, relative coach, somebody, to where if you, if you had asked them, who was the role model, it was them. And we hear the same kind of characteristics transparent, it's just crazy. You know, I know people listen to these podcasts. But it's just ironic how we kind of get back to the same little thing. And they talk about consistency. Right? They talked about protecting, you know, they talk about how this, they looked up to this person, because they were honest, and they had good values. And they were funny at times, but they're also direct. I'm sure your grandfather had some of those same characteristics. And he didn't have to take on the responsibility of, you know, your dad leaving and going back to Mexico and kind of help raising us kind of sounds like Yep. You know, what? Why do you think he did that? I mean, it was because of who he was, right? I mean, he always wanted to help people out. You know? I mean, this your mom's Dad? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he is. But yeah, I mean, he always liked to help people out. You know, he was always, you know, he was a funny guy. I mean, I don't think I'm funny like him, but you know, so he was funny, you know, he was always a hard working guy. You know, you didn't have to tell him what to do is like he would always do it, you know. I feel like I got some, some sort of that All of that, you know, like, you know, you told me once, and I'm gonna try to find a way to do it, you know, you know, like you said, Do it right the first time. That's it, you know, so, huh. So, you know, on a note of your grandfather, right, and I never met the guy, but, you know, you're kind of relaying some of the same characteristics and yourself and doing that. You know, what about the leadership part? Right? Like you, you know, there are significant people that are in other people's lives that they look up, but they don't, they don't live up to that person's expectation. Or they know that, hey, I should be more like that, you know, so and so? And they don't get there. Right? Why did you choose the harder thing? It's, it's, that's the harder thing is to try to, you know, be more like your grandfather, he took on the responsibility and have to write he, you know, he went above and beyond and not being cliche or, or corny, or anything like that. He could have picked the other route. Right. Brothers haven't no fence haven't been as successful as you have here. Huh? What's the difference? Like we're, I mean, I guess, you know, I want to achieve my goals. You know, if I'm gonna say, if I say that, I'm going to do something, I want to achieve it. Right. I want to do it until I'm done with it. You know, does your grandfather kind of? Yeah, I mean, he did. He would challenge me, you know, I mean, you know, he would actually, he would. So, you know, I learned not to give up, you know, and, you know, just achieve it. Mm hmm. Powerful, that's very powerful man that, that says a lot about us as long as your character and you know, who your what your family's about, right? I'm sure that as your grandfather, and again, I don't want to assume and you stop me the minute that this doesn't go, right. But having kids of our own, you know, I'm sure your grandfather probably knowing that your dad moved back to Mexico, he didn't think too fondly of him at a certain time. Right? Because that's his daughter. Yeah. Right. And they were married. And, and I know how you, you know, how you were raised and done. And, you know, so he overcame that obstacle to do the right thing by you. And, you know, but you and your brothers and your mom by kind of being that role model being that grandfather, right? Yep. You know, it, I see you doing that now. But even people with older younger, like, you know, you I don't I don't know licking English. And this is funny, you know, Spanish, Spanish. I don't know nothing. But listening to you dialogue is so funny how you, I don't know what the heck you're saying how you're saying it or anything like that. But you can kind of tell by the by the body actions and things when you're speaking to these individuals younger, older. You're not talking to him like a parent, but you are holding them accountable and also challenging them to Yeah. And you know, that I think this speaks volumes about your leadership and what, you know, kind of what your grandfather instill in you, I'm assuming Mm hmm. Right. Man, that's, that's awesome. Yeah, that's also Yeah. So you you didn't do the heating and air thing or the install thing. And you went worked at killingsworth? i, did you met your wife about this time? After after? killingsworth? Actually, yeah. So I was a killingsworth, you know, probably about three years. And, you know, I was doing, you know, termites and crawling under the houses and all that stuff. And I was like, I don't know, if I want to keep doing this, you know. So then I decided to go back to school. I decided to go, you know, to community college, you know, do something, you know, I guess cuz, you know, you know, I just, you know, I wasn't getting anywhere, you know, and then again, you know, money hungry? You know, I wanted to make more money. And you know, the only way to do money is if you have a degree in something. Yeah, that's what I think at least but you know, so, um, I applied and told the owner of the company, I said, Listen, can I work part time, some of them at his school, and he said, I don't do part time. So That time I was like, I need to give it a shot. Go back to school. And so I quit. I quit killingsworth let's say you're at school full time. I'm in school full time married. not married yet. That's, you know? Yeah. So I was with my wife. So, okay. So you're going to school and live in a home, I live in at home with my parents, and, you know, my parents, and you know, by then my dad sees he's back. He's back in the picture. You know, we're happy family now. It was a it was weird, you know, cuz I hadn't seen him for years, you know, visiting come to visit? No, no, no, we would talk on the phone. But that's about it. And you know, is different, you know, when you talk to somebody and see somebody person. Sure. You know, so it was a again, it was a big change. It was different. But he was back into picture. And, you know, everything was good. You know? Yeah. Good. So your mom and dad were good. Things are growing. Right? It means you're a beautiful wife. Laura is going to school. Yeah, you get some traction, man. Oh, yeah. And then he bugged the crap out of me speaking about bugs your job Vail Victor Victor through three hipbone and said, Hey, I think you need to hire this guy's good. And so we met. And he came on as a CSR, and we don't school are still going. No, I was. I was actually finishing up my second degree. That's right when I came here. That's right. Yes. You still we're doing some stuff at night. Right. Now, while I was working for my father in law that's on the weekends killing people. That killer? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that guy. Interesting. All right. Well, so you know, this journey of the podcast and talking about leadership and what you've done the last quarter, you know, I think we kind of finish into this slide of, you know, you start as a CSR, right? Yes. And I do think parks is kind of has the dynamic of, you know, you don't have a way to get to the top is from starting at the bottom within right. Very many success rates on people come in from the outside and working their way up. But you know, you kind of have been open to take on any challenge. Yes. And any test that was hand and you were first raise your hand, or we made you raise your hand when to do to take on another responsibility, your task. And I think in a positive, good way, you've been very, very good at that. And you've done a fantastic job of doing that. And, you know, there's much to be said, just about that accomplishment in itself, I think. And he knows so much now. I mean, you've been here, five, five years. Wow. Five years in May. Wow. It's a long time. Yeah. You know, and you've always been there and you've been there where we need you to work we need you inside work. You were there for my mom, you've been there for me my you know, in it, you know, I guess that you know, that speaks volumes about your leadership, man. And it kind of just mirrors your picture of your grandfather. Right in in a in a different way that you you know, you speak with wisdom here and you speak with honor and integrity and people do listen, not all the time nationally at Tech commission, but you know, but you're kind of in a kind of the data the house sometimes around here, man like you, you kind of rule the roost and do that. And I want you to talk a little bit about that, like what what a 30 year journey is if somebody is listening on this, that may be a CSR, right. Maybe reluctant to raising their hand to take on other tasks. You know, that you've been here and done that, you know what, or even somebody that maybe not even doing working at parks or that the other but they see an opportunity or door open wherever their careers are doing. You know, talk a little bit about what you've done and how your leadership has adapted to getting to where you are today. Well, I mean, you know me, you know, it's like, I like a challenge, you know, and that's how I think everything straw started. You know, like, you know, I started as a CSR, but I wanted more, you know, I wanted to do more than just that. You know, so, um, you know, I mean, I'm not a big talker, you know, you know that, you know, you know, I try to listen a lot, you know, and that's how I learned, I guess, you know, by listening. But, you know, I don't know, I'm just like, a big challenge guy, I guess, you know, and I won that challenge. And I'm not gonna stop until I complete that challenge, you know? And, and I mean, I don't know that that's just, that's just me. True. I will see that. And you know, you. But you get emboldened by that or you don't quit on a challenge. I remember. Like when we had the peer group here last year, right. You're having to do public speaking. And you didn't know what you're walking into with the rapid fire by these experts on about everything that you didn't know a damn thing talking about. Right. And you kept it together and didn't die. He thought you were I think I think I did that. me. I don't know. Yeah, I want it to die or you cry. He had a heart to heart after that. Pretty tore up. But anyways, he didn't give up the night in a hope. That wasn't the gauge of our success of the peer group is that hey, we didn't die. Right? Yeah. I've heard some horror stories of people not showing up like ever again, like they've ran to the border. I thought about it, man. I thought there were things but you know, you rose to the challenge. And you made it and then and you you know that that speaks volumes, man. I mean, you're one of the last standing people that, you know, that was presenting is still here. Yeah, we're coming up on the year anniversary. And they peeled it back pretty good, right on all the things. And they but they did talk about your loyalty. And how you know, you, you stayed even keeled during those things, even though you're flustered and you didn't have the answers that you're supposed to know, which is probably my fault. But you were exposed to it, and you took it. And you were there. And you know that I think that goes a long way and also mirrors your leadership, man. Yes. You said you raise your hand. So you know what, this is gonna suck. But and, and I have no, I have no idea what I'm doing. But I'm gonna do it. Because as wide as that, and you know, I want the company to get better. And it has since the peer group. We've done a lot of things that they've said. Awesome. That is really good, man. I was just being a team player, man. You know, that's another thing. You know, I mean, you got to be a team player here, man. Yeah. So, you know, even though I hate public speaking, and, you know, but I gave you my award that day that, hey, I'll do it. You know, cuz I'll be a team player. I said, I'll do it. You did? Well, you know, man, I mean, I think in this whole year, you've seen your growth. You know, exponentially just in in your confidence in your ability. And you know, when things and take it on challenge. I really feel like now outside of maybe public speaking, we could throw anything at you. In a you you can probably do it. Yeah. I mean, I try to be more open now. And you know, don't do a lot more like you said, you know, talk a lot more. You know, I'm getting used to it. I think I've done leader man a lot better now. So good. Yeah. Well, Eric, this has been fantastic. Man. This has been I didn't quite know when we started this where we're gonna go down or we're gonna do this again. You're not it's not the last time you're gonna be on this podcast. I didn't get you to cry this time. No, that's cool next time. But now you've it's been a blessing you know, to have you and your family in our in our lives. And you man, I think he more or less as a brother man brother never had, right. And you've done a fantastic job of maybe not fully understanding where in the heck, I'm going with things. But you got my back. And you also know that I got your back and that, you know, at the end of the day, we're collectively making, you know, decisions to better the company and better our team. Yep. And you know, I think we've done that. Yeah. Bang, great, great podcast about your journey. Great, great quarter that you did by tackling this many things and you made it through probably the highest number wise payroll and you did that flawlessly. You know, and In an understanding all the dynamics behind that, so well, Donnie, well done, appreciate it. So you know, we're going to end on this any final thoughts you'd like to say? No, man, I mean, just, you know, again, you know, thank you for, you know, letting me come work here because, you know, I don't know what I will be doing right now. I wasn't here, you know, to be honest, good. You know, you gave me an opportunity. And I took it and I ran with it. So, you know, yeah. If Christian ever needs a job that dude is the star. And I II got a good, good, good kids, good family, just a good guy, man. Good character. So just keep that up. Keep working hard again. You know, appreciate coming on here. And we're gonna sign off on that. Again, this is your host, Wyatt Tucker with the parkway podcast. We had our great award winner over here of going he won the key contributor she's me beyond the call of duty Eric Ramirez winner award for the quarter and we appreciate you coming on here. Thank you. Thank you for having me. We're gonna sign off on that now and hope everybody has a good rest of the day.