There are a lot of people in the ARM industry who love what they do, but John Everman might be the guy who loves what he does the most. Hearing about his passion, not just for his job and his company, but for the ARM industry, is evident in reading his profile. His love for the ARM industry might only be matched by his love for winemaking and electronic dance music. Read on to learn more about how Everman makes the most out of that unique combination.
Name: John Everman
Company: Guru DNA Consulting
Length of time at current company: Seven years
Length of time in industry: 25 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
It all started with an awkward call from my sister. She called me and said, “Johnny, you should come work with me. I am making really good money and love what I do.” To which I replied, “What are you doing, sis?” She said, “I am a bill collector.” Well I responded with several expletives but the more we spoke, the more I realized this was a natural fit for me. After all I had always done sales and bill collecting is simply selling someone on the idea of paying for what they’ve already received. I began my career with NCSC in Overland Park as a bill collector. When A.L. Summerlin sold NCSC, and opened Encore RMI in Olathe, Kans., I migrated with many of the staff. Over the course of the next nine and a half years at Encore I wore many hats and found my passion for the more technical side of the ARM industry. Yet, I still remained very involved on the operational and analytics sides.
What is your career highlight so far?
Starting up Guru DNA Consulting seven years ago. To be honest, the evening I came home from my full-time job and told my wife “I put in my two weeks’ notice today” it wasn’t the most comfortable conversation I’ve had to date. However, once she understood what my vision was for starting a premier consulting company focused on solving issues for clients using morals, integrity, and top talent she quickly jumped on board. This allowed me the ability to utilize industry-wide best practices and afford them to agencies, firms and issuers of all sizes. And to replicate that passion for the industry within the Guru team, makes it even more rewarding.
When or how are you most productive?
With the pressure of deliverables and the intense thought required for many projects, I have found that having background music makes me most productive. Now, the type of music will likely surprise you. I prefer something incredibly high energy like electronic dance music (EDM). Not necessarily the type of music common within my demographic. But, if I am energized I am highly efficient.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Marian Sangalang. There isn’t much I can say here that those who know her wouldn’t agree with. I will just state that she is not only a mentor and colleague but I also consider her a true friend. Marian is one I can relate to because of her unfiltered professionalism and incredible passion for the industry. And yes, I did use the word unfiltered. Great minds think alike!
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I wouldn’t claim to do anything better than everyone else. I am highly focused on team efforts to achieve a desired end goal. I have learned over the years that everyone has complimenting skill sets and talents if only you expose them. So, perhaps one thing I do really well is see the good in people and assist with resolution of their concerns.
What do you like most about this industry?
The constant changes. Change is essential to life and with my career path it keeps things from becoming boring. I truly never know what challenge I will face on that next call or email.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The firefighter mentality. We need to all work closer together and make this an industry that is proactive. So often we are caught with our shorts down and by that point it is too late. I would love to see an industry filled with individuals who not only want to make sure the critical items in day to day ARM business are handled accurately, but would actually demand and require it. Nobody in our industry can afford to sit back and wait to see what will happen.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I’m not really sure. But, it would likely be something incredibly nerdy. Perhaps Galaga master or something equally ridiculous.
Describe a typical work day.
Truly there is no such thing as a typical work day for me. As a consultant, I pride myself in being available whenever needed. But, I start my day much like anyone else. I get up, shower, eat some breakfast and then head to the office. It just happens that my office is in my home. The traffic is always light (except for an occasional cat in the way) and I never have to worry about bad weather.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Well it’s actually a fairly new one. I have acquired a taste for a high-quality Cognac or a 20+ year old Tawny Port. Of course, they are not consumed at the same time as that could become an issue. In the right setting or paired with the right meal, yum!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received would be from my father. He used to tell me as a child to always set my goals high. And he would go on to say, if you get close to achieving a goal raise the bar higher. Sure, it sounds like you would never be happy. But quite the opposite is true. You meet goals constantly and are afforded the ability never to become stagnant. It was this type of mentoring that helped me focus my entrepreneurial spirit and always remain driven.
What are you currently reading?
Well this is a boring answer. Emails. Emails and more emails. Quite a bit of my communication with clients and our team is via email.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I have a passion for work and life equally. I believe whole heartedly in the phrase “work hard, play hard.” And for those who know me and my team, you know we are not shy about exposing either of those traits. I am an amateur winemaker which fuels my play hard mentality. You will find me most Fridays at a winery enjoying the music, food, and wine. Yes, we have wineries in Kansas.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Marian Sangalang, Tammy Hannes, and Joe Cook.