Drive-Thru Conversation with Brent Bohnert

Hello! I’m Justin Roth, Director of People & Culture at PAJCO. If you keep up with this newsletter, then you’ve read about members of our corporate team who help the company run from an internal standpoint. Today, we are going to be talking to one of our District Managers. Our District Managers are very hands-on with store operations, and they make sure the stores are running efficiently and to the best of their abilities. It is my pleasure to introduce Brent (Bones) Bohnert.

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How long have you worked for PAJCO?

Crazy to say, but I’m going on five years here.? Time flies…

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What was your career journey like before PAJCO? ?

So, I went straight into management with a big box retailer right out of college.? I operated as a leader across multiple locations for over 16 years because I bought into the stories told by the leaders in the company, including the owner, and how the empire was built.? Little did I realize that as I grew within the company, I was witnessing a shift in operations, leadership, and a dying culture. Despite the disappointment I felt as my vision fell apart, I still always loved its people.? I always enjoyed getting to know them and their stories and helping them reach their personal and professional goals.

What is a typical day like as a Rhodes District Manager?

OOOOF.? Well, “typical” is not a good word to start off that question.? Every day is different.? As a District Manager, I view myself as a supporting role for all my locations, leaders, and teams.? I spend a lot of time helping make sure my teams have the tools and resources they need to create the best experience for our guests’ day in and day out.? What are those tools and resources?? Well, that’s the interesting part.? It varies every day and in every situation.? Ultimately, you must love being a “fixer” and be one heck of a multitasker.? The rewarding part of my job is being able to help, teach, and empower my teams in whatever comes my way.? I’d like to add having a patient and understanding spouse is a requirement!? Thank you, Jody, for always understanding what it takes.

What is something you look forward to every day working in the field?

It’s the people, nothing else is even close.? Some days it’s a dance off with someone, sometimes its listening to somebody tell me a story about a big deer they saw.? It always involves a smile and hopefully a laugh.? Building those relationships, I believe is truly one of the cornerstones of our business and culture within PAJCO.

Is it difficult for you to build and maintain connections with all the team members across your district?

With all the ways we support the business, it never feels like I get enough time to spend at any one location.? I think that is the tricky part of my job.? The most important thing is to empower our leaders to operate their stores, and I have a strong team that is more than capable of doing that.? I pride myself on always being available to my team from afar.

One of our Core Values is to empower our team. How are some ways you empower them as a District Manager?

I think empowerment is one of the biggest blessings we have in our arsenal as District Managers.? We are constantly on the lookout to recruit great people to join our teams.? Day in and day out we are working with our teams and leaders to help them continue to develop and build their abilities.? We do all this to create opportunities and empower them to operate all aspects of our business.? Our hope and goal is to create an experience for our teams and our guests that make them want to return every single day.

You work in the field most of the time.? How do you stay connected with the corporate office?

Lots of prank calls really.? No, those of us in the field rely heavily on the office to support our locations.? It’s important for District Managers to bridge the operations team and the office team.? We constantly give feedback on both sides to help resolve issues and identify opportunities so both sides can better support each other.? Joining the two sides ultimately delivers great experiences for our store guests.

You were named “2022 District Manager of the Year” at our Annual President’s Banquet.? What do you attribute to winning this award?

My people entirely earned that achievement.? It was a great experience, but I never have viewed it as a win for myself.? To receive that recognition, you really must have your stores operating on all cylinders.? That award was won because of the hard work my teams and the leaders within our District put in.?

We hear you’re the Pumpkin King.? Can you explain how you were able to achieve this title?

News to me.? Ughhhhh.? Every so often we get roped in to being in some silly videos for social media.? It really is a lot of fun to be able to work and play.? Anyone that works at PAJCO knows that is what we do best.? Work hard, play hard.? Well, I received the opportunity to be in a pumpkin spice cappuccino video that was posted on social media.? Let’s just say it was more popular than I ever could have predicted.?

Besides working at Rhodes, what are some other extracurriculars you participate in?

Full time Dad for sure.? You know the coolest thing I have experienced working here has been the ability to regain my personal life after working for a big box retailer for so long.? I’ve had the ability to coach my children in multiple sports including coaching football in the Perryville Youth Football program.? I just finished up my 5th year as a coach.? It’s been an amazing experience to watch my oldest son Brody and his team grow together, and now the same with my youngest son Jonah.

We hear there’s some debate about rivaling sports teams. Who, in your opinion, is the best local school sports team? ?

Well, it’s probably no surprise, but I’m always going to support the local Perryville teams.? It’s fun to watch the young players who I have coached transition into the local high schools.? I hope somewhere along the line I’ve made a positive impact on them.? Whether it be Perryville green and white, or St. Vincent blue and gold, I will be cheering them on.? But truth be told, I have never been too fond of the color red.? ??

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Last question. Our President is also named “Brent.” How do your team members identify each of you as individuals?? ???

Well, once upon the time there was concern that my good looks were superior to that of Daddy…er……the other Brent.? I was told that it would probably be in everyone’s best interest to have a nickname.? I have had a few over the years, so I think it was settled that I would be called Bones.? And I am good with that. ?I have answered to worse.

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Although I disagree with your choice in sports teams, it was still a pleasure getting to hear from your perspective. Thank you, Bones!