Examining life through a new lens. This podcast will explore community, sustainability, and the value of human connections through a series of conversations with Jim Henderson. Jim is the owner of William C Huff Companies, a high end logistics firm and is the founder of JLH Sustainable Housing, providing pre-engineered steel and solar powered home environments.
www.williamchuff.com
www.jlhsustainable.com
In the first episode of In Case You Wanted To Know, Jim talks about his philosophy when it comes to building a staff who feels secure in their jobs and the benefits of those staff members being able to focus on the task at hand and not worry about where their next paychecks are coming from.
#williamchuff #staffing #teamwork #workplace #culture
John Perchas: Welcome to In Case You Wanted to Know. My name is John Perchas, and I’m here with Derek Showerman and the inimitable Jim Henderson. We’re launching this podcast to have conversations about topics like community, downsizing, culture, and sustainability. We hope you’ll join us for these discussions because, honestly, we don’t always know what we think we know—and the three of us definitely don’t have all the answers. But we’re diving in anyway. So, welcome, gentlemen.
Derek Showerman: Thanks, John, and thanks for the introduction. As you mentioned, this is our first episode of In Case You Wanted to Know, where we’ll explore topics that people may not even realize they want to learn about. Our aim is to shed light on interesting ideas and perspectives that might make you think, "Huh, I didn’t know about that." As a company, we’ve embraced change, and we want to share some of that perspective with others.
Jim Henderson: That’s right. When we were brainstorming this podcast, one thing that kept coming up was the importance of making the world a better place for people. I’ve always believed in doing right by the people around me—our staff, our community, and even the environment.
John: Jim, you’ve been leading William C. Huff Companies for nearly 36 years now. Can you share a little about the journey and how your approach has benefited your staff, the environment, and the community?
Jim: Absolutely. When I started with this company, I had no prior experience in the moving and storage industry. That turned out to be a blessing because I wasn’t bound by traditional industry practices. Most companies in this space rely on part-time staff and don’t offer career opportunities. I asked myself, "What if we treated this industry differently—by building careers and providing full-time jobs?"
That commitment started with hiring our first full-time staff during the busy season and keeping them through the slow winter months. Over time, this approach improved the quality of our service. Our employees became more experienced and invested in their work, which clients noticed and appreciated.
Derek: One of the things I’ve noticed during my 20 years working with Jim is the value of long-term staff. Our best partners and vendors also have employees who’ve been with them for 10, 15, or 20 years. That consistency creates a better product. Here at William C. Huff, we’ve built a team that feels secure in their roles, which is increasingly rare these days.
Jim: It’s true. Security is a unicorn in today’s workplace. We’ve had staff members who’ve been with us for decades. For example, Kent, my first full-time hire, retired after nearly 36 years. Through two recessions, we’ve maintained our commitment to our team, and that’s shaped the culture here.
Derek: One of the unique things about this company is the emphasis on mentorship and skill-building. Jim, you’ve even brought in specialists like sommeliers to train the team on handling wine properly. That attention to detail extends to all aspects of the business, from art handling to client interactions.
Jim: Exactly. We want our team to see this as more than just a job—it’s a career. For instance, we’ve had staff trained by experts like Murf Richard from the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., to handle fine art. This commitment to training elevates the quality of our service and helps our clients see us in a different light.
Derek: In many corporate environments, you see cyclical hiring and layoffs. I’ve experienced that firsthand during my time at Salesforce. Here, it’s different. People can enjoy Thanksgiving without worrying about layoffs. That sense of security is invaluable, especially for young employees.
Jim: That’s what we strive for—building a culture where our team feels supported and valued. Little things like Taco Tuesdays and Techno Thursdays add to that sense of family, but the real difference is knowing that this is a place where you can grow and learn every day.
John: Well, gentlemen, I think this is a good spot to wrap up our first episode. If you’ve stuck around this long, we appreciate it. We’ll be bringing these conversations to you on a regular basis, so stay tuned.
Derek: Thanks, John, for setting this up, and thanks, Jim, for sharing your insights. We look forward to discussing more topics that you might not even realize you wanted to know about.
John: If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the bell. We’ll see you next time. Thanks, everyone!
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William C. Huff Companies is committed to simplifying the complicated maze of moving and storing your priceless possessions. With over 40 full-time, tenured, and highly trained staff, you can be assured that your move will be handled smoothly and professionally, from the first phone call until the last box is unpacked.
