Veteran Voices – GAINSCO Leadership Through the Ranks
A Salute to GAINSCO Veterans
GAINSCO Auto Insurance® is proud to support our veterans and active-duty service members, and since many of our own team members have proudly served our country, we wanted to get some perspective on how their military experience has helped support their transition into civilian life and in the workplace.
When we sat down with them, it became very clear that they all shared very similar core values. Some of the ideas that we heard over and over were terms like teamwork, integrity, accountability, commitment, and persistence. Those principles continue to shape who they are today, and it’s no surprise that they have landed in leadership roles here at GAINSCO.
Teamwork
All of our veterans emphasized the importance of teamwork. Phil West, a United States Air Force veteran, notes that much like in the workplace, military operations “really come down to discipline, teamwork, understanding what the mission is, and getting people organized in such a way to accomplish an objective.”
While highlighting the importance of taking care of people, Michael Parrish, a United States Marine Corps veteran, uses his leadership role to build up his teammates by “building that confidence, believing in my people, and having them believe in themselves to put us on a trajectory for success.” He notes that the Marine Corps broke him down and built him back up stronger, ready to overcome his fears, and with a new outlook on leadership. Keeping a calm, cool demeanor allows him to lead through strength: “When you’re a leader and your people look at you, it’s very important that they see someone who is in control because at that point, it gives them confidence.”
Just as different branches of the military have their own culture and way of operating, GAINSCO has different departments within the organization – and in both scenarios, they must all work together and support one another to accomplish the mission at hand, explains Jim Turner, a United States Air Force veteran. Turner also celebrates the championship characteristics of the people at GAINSCO by recognizing that “people are the most important asset to any organization, and if you don’t have the right people, then you can’t accomplish the mission.”
Integrity
Integrity and honor rank among the highest of the core pillars of the military mindset. Integrity is a very broad concept, but it really boils down to a commitment to doing what is right – a duty to perform consistently, deliver on promises, and maintain accountability. A constant pursuit of excellence is what allows us to achieve, whether in the military or in the workplace. Phil West notes “It’s a very similar ethos. You develop that culture, and it’s how you show up every day at GAINSCO, giving your best and understanding what we’re trying to do as a company. And challenging your peers, your superiors, and your team to be better every day. To show up better every day to execute at a higher level.”
Pursuit of Excellence
Consistency and dedication help produce results, but courage is what makes leaders rise. Gwen Mesta, a United States Army veteran, knows a thing or two about stepping up to challenges. When tasked with fixing major problems, she quickly jumps into action to see projects through to success, noting in one experience “This is where my military training kicked in. I was like, ‘Give me what you got, let me know everything that you know, and I’m going to make sense of it.’ And all of a sudden, I became the leader of that situation or that issue where prior I had no idea of what was happening.” She adds, “I didn’t ask ‘Why me?’ I just took it. I just did it.” That persistence and tenacity has afforded her great opportunities to rise within the ranks in her career, and that leadership mindset is what allows her to take control of any situation.
Jon Kendzierski, a United States Marine Corps veteran, shares that same outlook on tackling challenges head-on. He adds, “I’m not afraid to try anything, and I’m not afraid to fail. I think you learn more from your failures than you do from your successes.” Kendzierski maintains a focus on organization and discipline to consistently deliver in his role, noting that “If you’re 15 minutes early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. And that’s just the way I live.” He stands by his word, and when he says he is going to complete a project, he gets it done, not just on time, but early, even if that means working extra hours to overdeliver on that promise. “Whatever it takes, get it done” he states. Jim Turner also shares a lifelong commitment to consistency and organization, noting that he eats his breakfast at the same time every day, and when asked about making his bed every day, he answered, “I sure do. You gotta be able to bounce a quarter off of it.”
GAINSCO Leadership
Our GAINSCO veteran leaders share a commitment to building up their coworkers, and they have a way of getting the best out of their peers and subordinates by staying focused on the mission and getting the job done. Scott Macduff, a United States Navy veteran, says that in his experience, all veterans that he has known have been successful in their roles, noting, “They do their job. They help out. They are successful.” A testament to the character and integrity that military members carry with them beyond their time in service. Jon Kendzierski adds, “[Veterans] are people too. We’re not as hard it seems when it comes down to it. We have families. We’re just like you. We just had a little bit of a different path.” That different path is something we can all appreciate though, and to all of our GAINSCO veterans, and to all veterans and active-duty service members, we salute you.
Thank you for your service.
Meet our Veteran GAINSCO Leadership Team
Jim Turner, GAINSCO Sales Director
United States Air Force Veteran
Phil West, GAINSCO SVP, Chief Information Officer
United States Air Force Veteran
Michael Parrish, GAINSCO Vice President, Claims
United States Marine Corps Veteran
Gwendolen Mesta, GAINSCO Director of Product
United States Army Veteran
Jon Kendzierski, GAINSCO Software Developer III
United States Marine Corps Veteran
Scott Macduff, GAINSCO Human Resources Manager
United States Navy Veteran
GAINSCO Military Discount
We proudly offer a Military Discount in select states,* so take advantage of the additional savings as a special thank you for your service at (866) 424-6726.
*Currently available in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
We are working to offer the discount in more states. Stay tuned for details, and learn more about our discount below.
