Corey Webster
President
Do you have a nickname: Web
Years in the Satellite Business: 9
Where did you grow up at: Cedar Rapids
What High School did you graduate from: Linn-Mar
Personal Likes: Golf, Playing Acoustic Guitar, NHRA Drag Racing
Favorite TV Shows: Deadliest Catch, Grimm, Hawaii 5-0
Favorite Part of your job: Knowing that everyday we have the best and brightest staff working for us. These guys are the best at what they do!
Least Favorite Part: Anytime a customer has to wait. There are certain times of the year when we are running above capacity and the have to tell a customer that they might have to wait a week before we can get there. I don’t like having to do that.
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: The customer that accused us of forging his signature on a contact. It was several years ago and I don’t remember his name (probably wouldn’t publish it if I did) but he was a real piece of work. He (falsely) accused us of forging his signature on his contract and he physically threatened the employee on staff at the time. Had to have the police remove him and everything.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Big Box Retail Management. Also dabbled in real estate in the early 2000’s.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? When Jeremy and I started this in 2005 all we had was our word. Integrity and hard work built this company.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? The customers that take the time and go out of their way to say “thank you.” It feels really good when a customer takes a minute to give us a call or drop us an email to tell us about their experience. It’s such a good feeling hearing praises from all aspects of the customers experience from first contact to after the sale. As a business owner I can never get enough of that!
What is your favorite sport and team: Iowa Hawkeyes. I bleed black and gold!
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Common sense. Combine common sense with facts and you can’t go wrong.
Jeremy Williams
Vice President
Do you have a nickname: Big Perm
Years in the Satellite Business: 9 years
Where did you grow up at: Ankeny. I was born and raised here.
What High School did you graduate from: Ankeny High School
Personal Likes: Tacos from the taco van on SE 14th, my iPod, working on cars.
Favorite TV Shows: Outsourced anything on FOX News.
Favorite Part of your job: Building Home Theaters for customers. I love starting from scratch, making recommendations and consulting, installing with the techs, then when we are done sitting back and “testing” the system.
Least Favorite Part: As part owner of Satellite City I’m partially responsible for making sure we have the best people in the business working for us. The thing that I dislike the most is telling some that it’s time for them to go and be successful somewhere else. (Firing people)
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: John Kline. I think he was one of our first 3 customers. We did a lot of work for him in his big house. We never even met the guy, even to this day. Then 3 years later his house burns to the ground.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: lots of things. The most recent were working at Briarwood Golf Course, and working in the advertising world where I owned my own advertising agency.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Patience and my ability to explain difficult concepts and make them easily understandable. Having 3 little girls at home has helped me hone this trait. You have to have patience with your employees and your customers, just like at home with your family.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? Knowledgeable. There is so much information available on the internet. I love it when a customer walks in the door or calls on the phone and pretty much knows what they want. I still take the time to make sure they understand everything correctly, and answer any other questions that they may still have.
What is your favorite sport and team: Pittsburg Steelers
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Quality. While I don’t do installations every day, I do still work in the field with the technicians from time to time. I like taking my time and making my work look outstanding. I like to think I’m a wiring artist.
Mitch Gregerson
General Manager
Do you have a nickname: No
Years in the Satellite Business: 9
Where did you grow up at: Red Lake Falls, MN
What High School did you graduate from: Lafayette
Personal Likes: Spending time with family. Fishing, golfing, and being by the water.
Favorite TV Shows: Most anything on History, or Discovery.
Favorite Part of your job: Making sure the Tech’s get what they need to have a successful day, insuring a timely install and a satisfied customer.
Least Favorite Part: Added work to a Tech’s already full day.
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: The Owner of a car dealership. I had to come out of his attic head first down a stepladder, after panic set in. He was upset because the one foot hole I had chosen for my exit quickly became my size. The hole was repaired, and I learned my limit on attic crawlspaces. All’s good!
What did you do before you got into the satellite business? Worked with a team that built specialized seating systems for chair bound clients. I was fortunate to make a positive difference in the quality of many people’s lives.
Any accolades, awards, or honorable mentions: I am a proud father of three, and grandfather to five.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Attention to detail, and the expectation delivering a positive experience to all of our customers.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? Any who listen to music, or watch TV.
What is your favorite sport and team: Pro hockey- NY Rangers.
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? If it’s a skill, I’m still working on it but, I like the opportunity to help smooth the bumps, watch the details. Create a positive experience for our Employee’s that they will pass along.
Paul Forristall
Store Manager
Years in the satellite business: 7
Where did you grow up? Midwest
What high school did you graduate from? Webster City High School
Personal Likes: Darts, Football, Basketball, brewing beer
Favorite TV Shows: House, Chuck
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: I dealt with a Gentleman that gave me so much good natured grief that his lips had to be tired by the time he left. All of the salesman liked him if for no other reason he made fun of me.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Bricklayer and I ran a Afterschool Program for underprivileged children.
Any accolades, awards, or honorable mentions: I got second place a bookmark making contest in the 3rd grade.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? I am honest and I do not make promises that I cannot keep. I take the time to explain the things that some do not in a way that most can understand.
What is your favorite sport and team: Pick the season: Bears, Cubs, Illini, Cyclones
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? My Sense of humor. It can defuse a situation. It can make someone feel a little more comfortable in the store.
Michael Smith
Technician
Years in the satellite business: 7
Where did you grow up? Des Moines
What high school did you graduate from: Lincoln High
Personal interests: PS3, boating, hanging with my family
Favorite TV Shows: Office, Modern Family
Favorite Part of your job: Impressing customers with our work.
Least Favorite Part: Some days get a little long
Most rememberable installation for Satellite City: Derek Schikell
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Home builder
Any accolades, awards, or honorable mentions: I once sold $5000 in blue sports coats to Kum and Go when I worked at Foreman and Clark.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Being efficient and having knowledge of all the products.
What is your favorite sport and team: Football-San Francisco 49ers
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Ability to inform people on what they want and need.
Kevin Womack
Technician
Years in the satellite business: 12 years
Where did you grow up? Webster City
What high school did you graduate from? Webster City High
Personal interests: Outdoors stuff. Hunting, fishing and boating.
Favorite TV Shows: How I met your Mother & Two and a Half Men
Favorite Part of your job: Meeting people
Least Favorite Part: Getting up early and getting home late!
Most rememberable installation for Satellite City: They are all memorable!
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Wells Fargo for 11½ years.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Pride in my work and I treat each house as if it were my own.
Do you like it when customers follow you around and watch you work? It doesn’t bother me. I got used to that a long time ago.
What is your favorite sport and team: Football. Iowa Hawkeyes and KC Chiefs
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Ability to map out where the dish will go and run cable on the house so the customer see’s as little of my work as possible.
Keith Parks
Technician
Years in the satellite business: 10
Where did you grow up? Early, IA
What high school did you graduate from? Crestland High
Personal Interests: Camping
Favorite part of your job: A satisfied customer
Least favorite part: Bad weather
What did you do before you got into the satellite business? Auto mechanic at Ford dealership
Do you like it when customers follow you around and watch you work? It's OK. It leaves no surprises for the customer.
Dan Scar
Technician
Years in the satellite business: 9
Where did you grow up: Des Moines
What high school did you graduate from: Hoover
Personal interests: Camping, hacky-sack, remodeling my house and chasing my kids through the woods with a fully automatic Air-Soft Nerf gun!
Favorite TV Shows: That 70's Show & Dual Survival
Favorite Part of your Job: Enjoy installing home theaters a lot. Meeting new people every day. Figuring out problems and fixing them.
Least Favorite Part: Working in the rain.
Most memorable installation for Satellite City: There are so many that come to mind. I suppose last winter in Alleman I pulled up to a job and there was so much snow drifted up against the house I was able to mount the dish on the roof without getting on my ladder!
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Built fences and decks
Any accolades, awards or honorable mentions: World's #1 dad 19 years and counting!
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Lots of experience in all areas of the job. Above-average customer serivce.
Do you like it when customers follow you around and watch you work? It doesn't bother me as long as they don't tell me how to do my job.
What is your favorite sport and team? Football/Cowboys
Of all the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite one to use? My favorite is working on the big custom jobs that require tape measure’s and fish rods and lots of thinking. I get a huge feeling of accomplishment when I walk away from a big home theater that wasn’t there when I pulled up!
Sean Moore
Consultant
Years in the satellite business: 4
Where did you grow up? Ankeny
What high school did you graduate from? Ankeny High School
Personal Interests: Biking, camping, football, baseball, reading
Favorite TV Shows: Sons of Anarchy, Rescue Me, The Big Bang Theory
Favorite part of your job: Working with fun customers
Least favorite part: People who want help, but don't want to listen.
Most memorable customer you worked with at Satellite City: Cookie lady! I just wish I remembered her name.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business? Landscaping, bar management
What quality do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? Overall knowledge of entertainment systems and personableness.
What is your favorite sport and team? Bears and Cyclones. Baseball: Braves.
Of all the skills you have for your job, what is your favorite one to use? Pre-wire homes and home theater systems.
Isaiah Hoegh
Consultant
Nickname: Zeke
Years in the Satellite Business: 2
Where did you grow up? Mostly Ankeny, with a few odd years here and there
What high school did you graduate from? Des Moines Christian High School
Personal interests: Playing Xbox, making and watching movies, playing music with my band or at church, snowboarding, golfing, camping, fishing, watching and playing soccer, watching football, and annoying my wife.
Favorite TV Shows: Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Tosh.0, SportsCenter, and almost anything on History Channel
Favorite Part of your job: Being on the cutting edge of the home entertainment industry and learning about all the new toys and gadgets
Least Favorite Part: Being yelled at by customers for pricing, something we have no control over.
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: I had a customer I helped get set up with DIRECTV and was corresponding back and forth with them via email answering questions and giving them tips and pointers on how to use their new system to its full potential. They told me over and over how happy they are with my help and how much they appreciate the time and care I’ve shown them. It’s nice to feel appreciated.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business? I was a bartender at the Old Chicago in Ankeny.
Any accolades, awards, or honorable mentions: I was a Certified Trainer at Old Chicago, and when I was in college me and a group of friends received the People’s Choice Award at the Prairie Grass Film Festival two years in a row.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? I am a quick learner and one thing I have always been good at is taking somewhat complicated explanations or equipment and translate them into more laymen terms, so the customer can understand more easily how our business works.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? The ones who come in with an open mind.
What is your favorite sport and team: Either college football or soccer, and my favorite teams (respectively) are Ohio State Buckeyes and Chelsea Football Club
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? My quick learning and desire to know more about the newest technology.
Ryan Murphy
Consultant
Years in the Satellite Business: 9
Where did you grow up at: Ankeny
What High School did you graduate from: Ankeny High School
Personal Likes: Golf, Hunting, Fishing
Favorite TV Shows: American Pickers, American Restoration, Pawn Stars
Favorite Part of your job: Working with customers to help them achieve the best TV and entertainment solutions.
Least Favorite Part: Cleaning the bathroom
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: Ruth. The day I started working with Ruth was shortly after the fair. I had a huge stack of paperwork on my desk and she lightened up my day with her amazing attitude and sense of humor.
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: Operations Manager of a Dept. Store.
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? I have a good personality, I am friendly and I have the ability to effectively communicate to our customers and co-workers.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? The customers who understand that we are here to help them and that we want the best solution for them.
What is your favorite sport and team: Iowa Hawkeyes.
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? My technical knowledge. While I don't get to use it everyday, I love to find creative, positive solutions for customers.
Josh Tyrrell
Consultant
Do you have a nickname: Good Lookin'
Years in the Satellite Business: 1
Where did you grow up at: Mt. Pleasant
What High School did you graduate from: Mt. Pleasant Community High School
Favorite TV Shows: Fox News, Moon Shiners, Good Eats
Favorite Part of your job: Working with customers and learning new technologies
Least Favorite Part: Realizing that every piece of technology I have is outdated!
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: Most of the customers I have are very memorable, but my favorite was an elderly lady who I helped buy a TV. She had been in the store a number of times and talked to everyone on the sales floor. By the 5th or 6th time she came in I told her if she came in anymore she was going to start collecting a paycheck!
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: I was deployed to Afghansitan
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? I’m definitely the best looking salesmen on the floor.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? I like working with elderly folks who are willing to listen
What is your favorite sport and team: Cyclones and the Yankees
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Good looks, magnificent charm, incredibly modest, there are just too many to choose from!
Dan Bruck
Consultant
Years in the Satellite Business: 1
Where did you grow up at: Burlington
What High School did you graduate from: Burlington High
Personal Likes: MMA, X-Box, Food and Beer!
Favorite TV Shows: House, Tosh.0, Grimm
What is your favorite sport and team: Pittsburg Steelers
Courtney Potthoff
Technician
Do you have a nickname: Super Installer
Years in the Satellite Business: 2
Where did you grow up at: Manning, IA
What High School did you graduate from: Manning Community Schools
Personal Likes: Golf, Anything Sporty
Favorite TV Shows: Two and A Half Men, Tosh.0, Anything Sports
Favorite Part of your job: Custom installs and commercial installs
Least Favorite Part: Rain, cold weather, and the occasional 40’ ladder
Most rememberable customer you worked with at Satellite City: I don’t have a most memorable customer, but my favorite customers are the ones who have been disappointed by someone in our business and have low expectations and we can come in and absolutely make their day. The ones who treat us unfairly at the beginning and tell their friends about us later. br />
What did you do before you got into the satellite business: : I was a landscaper, hauling rock, pavers, and retaining wall block up and down the hill
What quality trait do you bring to Satellite City and its customers? I'm energetic, hard working, and probably the nicest guy you could ever meet.
What are your favorite types of customers to work with? See above…..If the customer isn’t happy, neither am I.
What is your favorite sport and team: Hawkeye Nation, nothing better than being with 70,000 of my best friends on Saturdays.br />
Of all of the skills you have for this job, what is your favorite skill to use? Thinking skills. My favorite jobs are the hard ones where I have to find the best way to hide wires and find unique ways of getting coax into a building or house.