Our heart is our talent, and we do everything possible to inspire the people that drive our company. This employee spotlight series will offer an inside look into the culture and community that make up PJ. Learn more, firsthand, from the people who have found a home here. Today we will learn more about Todd Hopeman, who recently celebrated his 30 year anniversary at PJ.
Before moving down to our Arlington shop to step into the service manager role, I learned that Todd would be my manager. I had a few interactions with Todd over the years prior to my move, mostly at PJ functions. With Todd being at PJ many years before me, I had heard a lot of the “good old days” stories revolving around him and was excited to finally get a chance to work with Todd.
As I stepped in I quickly learned the passion he had for our business and our people. He had no problem taking me under his wing and sharing his experiences over the years at PJ and the O&G market. Todd made it very easy for me to come in, learn and grow as a manager. He was always available to take my questions and has left a lasting impression on me both professionally and personally.
Managing is not easy, but Todd has this effortless approach to business, relationships and friendship. I consider Todd a great mentor, friend and have enjoyed all of my time spent with him!
Congrats on 30 years of loyal PJ dedication!
Since I came to PJ over 10 years ago, there have been many instrumental people I have been involved with, although none were more impacting on myself or Palmer Johnson than Todd Hopeman.
Back then, in the old days, Todd was a Regional Manager overseeing “branches” in OK, TX, KS, AR, and Arizona. He was involved in sales and marketing along with the service departments. With over 20 years in the business at the time, he was actively involved in the day to day operations in O&G and other crucial markets PJ supports. He took me under his wing and taught me the business and how it “really” works. Everything from product knowledge to taking care of customers at PJ was covered. Todd was there from the first 8500 we rebuilt in the 90’s so he had seen a lot. We worked together to build inventory and grow sales with drilling rig braking applications, something PJ had never tapped into even though we had the Wichita Clutch and Eaton Airflex product lines. PJ saw significant growth in this area and before long we were a major player in water cooled brake rebuilds and Airlflex drum clutch sales in the O&G market. PJ went from $600,000 / year to over $5-6MM within a few years in the Eaton and Wichita product lines, supporting the drillers predominately in the OK and TX region.
In 2015 PJ went to Market Teams to support our customers even better. I asked Todd to join our team and I am glad he did. He is instrumental in handling a lot of inventory and product application needs for the team. He also has taken the new role and has done an excellent job supporting the Oklahoma O&G customer base, along with other key customers around the region and country. Todd continues to churn out big sales numbers for PJ, by sticking with the basics he taught me 10 years ago when I joined the company. His sales grow, if not every month it seems, but by the year and he is one of the top sales performers PJ has.
I am grateful for all the dedication and work Todd has put in over the years to make PJ a great company and to help shape it into what it is today. I look forward to working with Todd into the future for hopefully another 10 - 15 years or more as we steer the PJ into the new automated equipment age of the O&G market. He is not only a great co worker, but also someone I consider a great friend.
Cheers, Todd!
What is your favorite part about working for PJ?
Providing solutions to customers who appreciate the effort.
What is your proudest moment at PJ?
This might be a little morbid, but I think attending the funerals of Bill Hamelback and Steve Sorg and hearing their families talk about what PJ means to them.
What is the best vacation you've been on?
Ireland. Great beer, great whiskey, castles, and leprechauns.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
Probably a bear, I can see myself eating all summer, getting fat and then taking a nice long nap in the winter.
People would be surprised if they knew:
I really don't drink that much.
