Executive Insights: Chuck Stovall, GOJO

As Sales Vice President – Commercial Real Estate for GOJO, makers of PURELL™, Chuck leads GOJO’s strategy, sales, Internet of things (IoT) activation and customer solutions in the National and International Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry, which includes the companies that own, manage and service large buildings. Prior to GOJO, Chuck worked with North American Building Service Providers/Integrated Service Providers as the National Segment Manager for Rubbermaid Commercial Products. Chuck is a CIMS ISSA Certified Expert, a past regional chairperson of USGBC and a past multi-term BSCAI (Building Service Contractors Association International) committee member and speaker, a past BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) committee member and speaker, an avid Scouts BSA leader and proud father and foster parent.

What are some trends you see developing in the building service contracting industry?

Technology, technology, technology. BSCs and integrated service providers are leveraging tech in ways like never before. IoT (Internet of Things) solutions like Onvation from Kimberly-Clark and GOJO are helping BSCs do predictive maintenance versus reactive, while also reducing waste and enhancing the customer experience. Apps and real time tracking technology – like the Route platform – are helping BSCs provide “proof of clean” while leading to more efficient operations. Cleaning robotics is now a reality and with recent lower costs, new justifiable ROI means mass adoption is just around the corner.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I lead with passion and by example. If leaders are not excited and inspiring about their solutions, their teams won’t be either. If a leader won’t roll his or her sleeves up and jump in the trenches, then there’s no respect and drive from the team. I firmly believe leaders should never take credit for what others helped achieve, should glorify in public and coach in private, and should help their team achieve their professional and personal goals.

What is one challenge you’ve experienced in your career, and how did you handle it?

GOJO had launched an IoT solution but experienced early struggles gaining traction due to the fact it only monitored soap and sanitizer. To have a full smart restroom solution, we needed to also monitor towel and tissue. With the existing solution, we were unable to gain traction with early adopters and commercial real estate. I engaged in a “how might we” conversation with my close friend at Kimberly-Clark on how two of the industry’s biggest competitors could partner for mutual smart restroom success. At the beginning it seemed like an impossible idea, but our senior leaders had open minds and a willingness to pursue new ways of working. The end result is Onvation, an IoT smart restroom solution from Kimberly-Clark and GOJO, and a textbook example of how large competitors can still collaborate for combined success.

Any advice for new BSCs coming into the industry?

Join BSCAI and build your professional network. BSCAI members and owners are some of my closest friends and they have helped me as a manufacturer in ways I never imagined. Let your manufacturer and distribution partners help you with training, mentorship, and ways to both make and save money. If you let them, these “trusted advisors” can help you achieve your goals more quickly and at no cost to you.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

Never think you are the smartest man in the room; if you do, change yourself or change rooms. Be the happiest person you know and never miss a chance to brighten the day of people you work with. Never make complaints unless you have some initial solutions. Without solutions, it’s just complaining and you are part of the problem. Do something in your career that makes you a little nervous and uncomfortable, as comfort leads to complacency and complacent people can always be replaced.

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Chuck Stovall, Sales Vice President, GOJO