Our region’s future is bright thanks to the strong leaders who are navigating change and cultivating successful teams today. Local leaders are driving change in the present while also molding and shaping the leaders of future generations. FIRST & 42 is shining the spotlight on the region’s stars from the 2020 class of Leadership Kalamazoo. All eyes will be on the spotlight to learn about these leaders’ “firsts” in life as well as their answers to a few deeper questions about their leadership and vision for our community. In today’s spotlight, we have Patrick Asakevich, who is the customer service supervisor at Edwards Garment Company.
Patrick has been with Edwards Garment for 20 years, and as the customer service supervisor, he leads the company’s team of customer service representatives. In this role, Patrick leads by being open and relying on good communication. “I want my team members to feel as though they can come to me when necessary. I’m also very hands on; I find it easier to show than tell,” said Patrick. His hands-on approach to work started in his very first job detasseling corn when he was 15, a job that was very hard work. In the next five years, Patrick hopes that our community will be equal parts successful and caring. “I want others to be able to walk into our community and feel like they belong no matter their gender, race, religion, etc. So many great people care deeply about the city of Kalamazoo,” said Patrick. Read on to learn more about Patrick Asakevich.
First Things First
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
1981Chevy Impala with no working gas gauge; it went from zero to sixty in about an hour.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN LIFE?
Detasseling corn. It was hard work for good pay (when you’re 15!).
WHO IS THE FIRST PERSON YOU GO TO WITH GOOD NEWS?
My wife. Nobody is happier for me when I’m successful, and nobody loves me more when times are tough.
The Deep Dive
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION? WHAT ARE YOUR DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES?
I have been working for Edwards Garment Company for 20 years. I am responsible for training our customer service representatives (CSR’s) and making sure that we provide the best experience possible for each and every one of our customers. I handle all things that encompass our CSR’s workdays, from scheduling to answering a multitude of questions on anything from colors to fabric content.
HOW DO YOU LEAD YOUR TEAM THROUGH CHANGE?
I am big on communication and being open. I want my team members to feel as though they can come to me when necessary. I’m also very hands on; I find it easier to show than tell. I am blessed to have an incredible team working along with me, and they absolutely make my job much easier.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE GOING INTO A LEADERSHIP POSITION FOR THE FIRST TIME?
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. There are so many aspects to leadership that aren’t what you initially think about when you’re starting on this journey. Be OK with taking the advice of others, and find someone you can talk to, even if it’s just to bounce the insanity off of them.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST LEADERSHIP MOMENT?
My proudest moment in leadership was the day that I was named the lead of our department. The amount of support I received from my friends, family, and coworkers upon the announcement was just absolutely the greatest feeling. It really validated what I felt I had worked so very hard to obtain.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
My vision is a community that is equal parts successful and caring. I want others to be able to walk into our community and feel like they belong no matter their gender, race, religion, etc. So many great people care deeply about the city of Kalamazoo. Many of them are the men and women I’ve met during my time with Leadership Kalamazoo, and I can tell you I’ve never felt more confident about our city, or the hands that it resides in.
