One of the first people I hired in 1982 when I was starting Coventry Manufacturing Company was Frank Espinoza. The story of why I hired him is instructive.

A die cutting machine

We were new in business and needed a machine operator to run our die cutting machinery and to do all kinds of other work including sweeping the floor and loading trucks. We ran an ad in the paper saying something like “machine operator wanted” and as I recall we had three serious applicants. I asked all three of them about their previous employment and whether their boss would give them a recommendation. I hadn’t made up my mind who to hire when a few hours later one of the applicants came back to see me. He had with him a letter of recommendation from his old boss. I hired Frank on the spot.

Anniversary dates celebration picture circa 2000

By going and getting the letter and bring it back he showed initiative, creativity and desire and by doing so he differentiated himself from the other applicants. It was a courageous act and showed that he had a good relationship with his former boss.

Coventry became Brandon in 1991

Frank went on to become one of the best employees we ever had. He was willing to make decisions and get things done. As we grew he became a leadman and after he left the company (which is another story) he went into business on his own and the last I heard he was doing well in the construction business in Fontana.