When Jim Stohr took a job as an Inside Sales Rep at SIGMA in 1996 he had no idea he was starting a dynasty. After a few years, he was promoted to Operations Manager, and now serves as Branch Manager, overseeing the entire Houston facility. Daughter Jessica, now a Territory Sales Manager covering South Texas, joined the SIGMA family in 2010 to run the Inside Sales Operation for the SIGMA Piping Products division. She traveled all over the country attending fire protection conferences, visiting customers, building the team and growing the line. When her son started kindergarten, Jessica moved to a territory sales potion covering South Texas in order to stay closer to home. Her one request: “I don’t want to report to my dad!” Jim comments, “Jess learned so much about customer relations and sales. That first SPP job gave her great training and really prepared her well for her current job.” SPP has since been sold off, but Jessica remains at SIGMA and is considered a rising star on the sales team. Jim’s son Justin was hired right out of high school as a contract worker assembling enclosures, and after a few years came aboard full time as a warehouse associate. Justin now works in the shipping/packaging department and conducts the last checks before orders are shipped out.

The family is highly regarded across SIGMA. Greg Fox, Vice President of Sales, comments, “Jim began his career with SIGMA at the inside desk and has progressed to his current position as Houston’s Branch Manager. However, Jim’s skills and contributions go well beyond any job title. He is integral to the success of our southwest region and SIGMA as a whole.”

Greg McAdams, Regional Sales Manager, shares his experience working with the father and daughter dymamic duo: “Jessica is a tremendous salesperson and is extremely passionate about taking care of our customers. She gets involved in many aspects of our business with the goal of improving our service to optimize the customer experience. She has a great work ethic and takes great pride in everything she does. Jim is the backbone of the entire Houston operation. He wears many hats and versatility is one of his strengths. His knowledge of the inner workings of SIGMA and his product expertise are unmatched. He is a major asset to the Houston region and to the company as a whole.”

Operations Manager Mike Shanahan praises Justin’s work: “Justin started out in one of our most grueling tasks, assembling meter cans outside in the yard. He has since worked his way up to our checker in packaging before pallets are wrapped to ship. One of his best qualities is his commitment to accuracy—he is always willing to ask a question if he’s not sure about the parts, he will call me on the radio to avoid making a mistake. The morning always starts early for him, and he arrives well before his shift.”

Jim reflects on his time with SIGMA: “I was a single dad raising four kids on my own, and SIGMA has always been incredibly supportive. When my kids were off school or home sick we set up a little room for them at the office so I could come to work and bring them with me. Anita Kavina, our office manager, was hired a few months after I was and she is like their ‘SIGMA-mom’. She would pinch their cheeks when they came in and was so kind to my kids. When Jessica had her son Colton, she would bring him in. He’s now 14 and Anita is like another grandmom.” Because SIGMA was so familiar and comfortable, the kids talked about working there from a young age—Jess recalls “We grew up filing invoices and marking inventory, and pulling out cardex systems for the fun of it!” Initially, Jim discouraged the move: “I was like, no, go do something else. Go to college, branch out. And now two of my four kids work here with me and I couldn’t be more proud. SIGMA is a great company.”

SIGMA is lucky to have the Stohr trio as key members of the Houston team. We thank them for their service, congratulate them on their success, and encourage them to keep up the great work!