Employee Spotlight – LINDA RODGERS

PESCO has been an important business in Farmington for half a century, but it was in the last decade that Kyle and Jim Rhodes began focusing on diversifying and growing the production business their parents started. Putting together a great management team has been part of that plan and adding Linda Rodgers to the management team nine years ago helped them in meeting their goals.

Rodgers was getting ready to move to Colorado, when she received a call from Kyle Rhodes asking her to join PESCO as the Chief Financial Officer. She told him she might be able to provide part-time help, because she was moving, but Kyle and Jim convinced her to talk to them. “They were genuine and authentic about wanting me to work here,” Rodgers said. “I accepted the position, and the rest is history.”

Prior to working for PESCO, Rodgers had a 23-year career at First National Bank in Farmington which was acquired by Wells Fargo Bank in 2000. “I loved my banking career,” she said, making the CFO position at PESCO a great fit. “I am responsible for the accounting and payroll departments as well as funds management – banking, equipment and facilities financing, cash flow,” she said.

Rodgers said her background in banking and employment with an oil and gas company in Farmington helped prepare her for her career at PESCO. “While I worked in banking, I learned a lot of different things, and that experience was great training for what I’m doing now,” she said. “I had fantastic managers who saw things in me that have helped me now. It’s all part of lifelong learning and becoming who I was created to be.”

“We are lucky to have someone of Linda’s caliber, driving the financial behemoth that is PESCO,” Chief Operating Officer Randy Large said. “She’s tough but fair. When I have a problem or need to run an idea by someone, Linda is one of my first choices. In an organization with the majority of employees being men, she fits in as being one of the guys.”

Since starting at PESCO, Rodgers worked through an oil and gas downturn, a sharp uptick, a downturn, an uptick and then COVID. Through it all, PESCO has survived and even worked with other industries to diversify. However, the success is deeper than that. PESCO’s success comes from the quality of the product and the people who work here. “If you think about it, we start with a flat piece of plate, our welders turn it into something cylindrical, add electrical parts and components to it. What they create is a work of art. The artisans and the craftmanship we have here are unbelievable,” Rodgers said.

Another aspect of PESCO’s success is the fact that it is a Christian-based company. “The owners have a deep and profound faith,” Rodgers said. “That faith and love of people shows up in everything we do. We are like family. Losing my husband to cancer a few years ago was a painful and challenging time in my life. So many people in this company helped me by showing their loving, caring kindness and support. “

“Working for PESCO has helped me to become a better leader. I love that my job challenges me every day in different ways. I can truly say I learn as much from employees as they learn from me. As a manager, I want to inspire others and help them find meaning and fulfillment in the work they do,” Rodgers said.

Through this personal growth, Rodgers has learned to stand up for what she believes will be best for the company. “She maintains her own perspective,” Chief Information Officer James Simmons said. “She brings a different perspective.”

Simmons worked at PESCO before Rodgers, and he saw a positive change in the leadership team after her arrival. “When Linda came to work here, she helped transform a department. It was Linda’s leadership that helped bring about changes and create a professional work environment.”

Because of the faith-based atmosphere at PESCO, there also is a focus on service in every aspect of the company. The company serves its customers, and employees are encouraged to serve their community.

Rodgers has served her community for many years, working with United Way and serving on the Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission for example. She also was elected to and serves as a Farmington City Councilor. “I have always believed in community service, but PESCO really complimented that belief.  Not only is it a good idea to be involved but also to be of service and make the community better,” she said.

“We give back what we’ve been given. Then, we make the world a better place,” Rodgers said. “When I decided to run for Farmington City Council, I asked Kyle (Rhodes) for his blessing first. He was supportive then and still is. Kyle is President of the Farmington School Board and values community involvement. PESCO is very generous in this community, but the time of letting employees serve in leadership positions is encouraged.”

“I love the people of PESCO,” Rodgers said. “I have the greatest co-workers across all aspects of the company. I am proud and honored to work with this phenomenal team every day.”