Celebrating Women's History Month at Southeastern

Every year, we celebrate March as Women’s History Month. What is that, you ask? Women's History Month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the role women have played in our country’s history.

Women’s History Month originally started as Women’s History week back in 1978, corresponding with International Women’s Day on March 8. In 1987 after being passed by Congress, March officially became Women’s History month.

We have many incredibly hard-working women that are breaking ground here at Southeastern. Recently, we sat down with two of them, Jodi Cox and Mischelle McCubbin, who are gearing up in a couple of months to participate in the Women's Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) Program. Here's what Jodi and Mischelle had to say about breaking ground at Southeastern:

Jodi Cox - Rental Manager at Brunswick

Years of Service - 3 years

Jodi Cox has been paving the way from an early age. “I backpacked most of western Europe, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jordan, and Berlin when I was younger … just to name a few places. Backpacking allowed me to learn different languages and cultures compared to staying at a resort. German is now my second language, and I also speak Spanish.”

(Pictured is Jodi on one of her many backpacking adventures)

Tell us how you arrived at Southeastern. What led you here?

Before Southeastern, I worked for Hertz right out of college. I got to meet a wide range of people working there. We serviced the movie industry a lot, and to this day, I don't want to ever go back on a movie set. It was very boring, a whole lot of setting things up for five seconds of action.

I left Hertz and became an outside Territory Representative working in the outer part of Chicago. I got a call from my old manager at Hertz who was at the time a regional sales manager at Southeastern, and they told me to come and work at Southeastern. So, I ended up going and working at the Novi branch!

How do you inspire and lead your teams?

I believe that the best leaders are servants. Making sure that my team has everything they need to do their job.

I also believe in making sure everyone's voice is heard no matter their job title. We are one big team here. I guess I got this from working in the restaurant industry when I was younger. Even if you are just a busser, your voice still matters because you still play a part in the team, and everyone must be heard.

As a manager, it's a gift to leave a lasting impression on someone. I'm always thinking to myself what lasting mark I want to leave on someone.

What do you love most about your day at Southeastern? What keeps you here?

I love the fast-paced environment and being able to provide a service to people. I get to be transparent with customers and be able to problem-solve on the spot to help them. For example, when we have a particular piece of equipment that has already been rented out, and I have another customer asking for it, I figure out a way to still help that customer by figuring out another machine that can get the same job done for them. And usually, the customer is happier with the solution I have than what they originally came in for.

You do a lot of volunteer events. What has been your favorite part of doing these events?

For me, it's a family tradition to volunteer and do service work. I guess you could say it's in my DNA. I just like being part of the community and giving back as much as possible. We did the Coats for Kids coat drive and American Red Cross Blood Drive this past December and plan to do it again next year.

Mischelle McCubbin - Jr. Operations Manager at Burlington

Years of Service - 4 years

For Mischelle, it seems a job in our industry was always in the cards. “The construction industry kind of just fell into my lap. It just made sense after my family had a trucking business and had been in the customer service industry my whole life. I had been a stay-at-home mom for five years when I decided to find a job and interviewed at Southeastern. And as you can say, the rest is history.”

How do you keep learning and developing your skills?

I'm constantly asking others if they need help so that I can learn too. I want to learn how to do everything around the branch. We are a smaller branch, and I want to make sure we can rely on our team instead of always having to reach out to get help. Unless we are struggling and need outside help, that is.

What's your leadership style like?

I want to teach my team everything that I know. That way, if I'm not here one day, the branch will still be able to run smoothly and no one is stressed that I'm not here. I'm always open for anyone to ask me questions. Even if it's their hundredth time asking the same question, I don't mind. I want them to ask me questions so I can help them.

I also think it's essential to always be upbeat. My home life gets put aside when I am at work, and I'm 100% there for my team. If you have a positive personality at work, it puts everyone else in the same good mood, and you enjoy your job more.

What do you love most about your job at Southeastern? 

My customers are 100% hands down the best part of my job and day. We are one big family here. They were a little unsure of me when I first came, especially since I was a female in the industry. But now, they encourage me all the way!

I have one customer that has my personal number and loves to just reach out to me and talk. He had called me up on a Saturday asking about a specific part, and we had it in stock. He said I know it's Saturday, and I can probably just come Monday and grab it. I said well, we have it in stock right now. How about I grab it for you, and you stop by today and get it. He was so thankful to me that day.

How do you like to give back?

My daughter plays volleyball, and I help out with her school. My older daughter helps a lot with church functions, so I'm always trying to lend a helping hand there.

My niece has a nonprofit in Ohio for teen moms called Rosemary's Babies. The organization helps young moms get on their feet and support them. This is their third year of being an organization, and whenever I can get to Ohio, I always try to help volunteer there.

Do you have any advice for another woman who is starting out in the construction field?

I knew nothing when I started, but if you are willing to learn and try your best, you are going to shine.

We are fortunate to have both of these amazing women as part of our Southeastern family. Keep up the great work, ladies!