Wes and Jackie, Robb
Vapor Mitigation Strategies
Website: www.vapormitigationstrategies.com
Industry: environmental consulting –
Vapor Mitigation Installation
Jackie’s Responses
What was your first job?
Co-op job in the water and soil laboratories at Consol Coal Co. (surface mining operations) in Pinckneyville, Illinois.
What was your worst job?
Selling coupon books over the phone during a college summer break.
What led you to your industry?
My desire to find a way for industrial companies to be successful in a manner that is protective of our planet and its resources. Being from coal country (Pittsburgh), I chose to study mining engineering in hopes of working from within the industry to preserve and restore land during and following coal mining activities.
What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?
Remember it is all about people, no matter what your business is. Build your network. Meet people, make connections, find common ground with them, help them when you can, refer those you trust. The people in your network are so valuable in problem-solving in your business and happiness in your life.
What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
Maplewood — all of it. The coffee shops, stores, restaurants, schools, parks, architecture, trains, churches, street fairs and especially the people. I love all our little town within a big city has to offer.
What book is on your nightstand?
Actually my tablet, on which there is a link to a yet-to-be-published murder mystery that a good friend of mine just completed.
What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
Building strong and long-standing relationships with our clients and our vendors and putting them together in mutually beneficial ways.
Wes’s Response
Family: Wife, Jackie, the best thing to ever come into my life; daughter (14), Gwen, the best thing to come into our lives; Angus (2), a Skye terrier, one great dog.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
Dedicate itself to the growing market in vapor intrusion consulting and mitigation.
Who is your industry role model?
I can’t say that I have had an industry role model. But I will say that my father was the person in my life I hope most to emulate. He was a career Air Force officer who served his country with great professional integrity and honor.
What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
I do enjoy the creature comforts of home, so I think my very favorite place is our home in Maplewood.
What book is on your nightstand?
The book on my nightstand currently is Giant Book of Chess Puzzles. You caught me; I am a geek.
What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
I think being involved with the community, not just in industry groups but in your civic institutions, can be so beneficial in fostering and sustaining one’s professional growth. In the years I’ve lived in Maplewood, I have had the pleasure to serve on the city of Maplewood’s design and review board, our church’s outreach efforts, several stakeholder committees of the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District (MRHSD) and now currently a member of the MRHSD Board of Education. All of these involvements have widened my relationships in my community and broadened my perspectives.
Submitted 7 years 177 days ago