As our President/CEO/Chemist/Technical Director (whew, that’s a lot of titles!), John wears his fair share of hats. He’s got his titles outside of work too–he is a busy guy both at the office and at home. Get to know John Roudebush!
What’s your position at Ecolink? President/CEO
How long have you worked here and how did you get involved in this industry? Began at Ecolink in January 2004. I have been involved in chemical maintenance products since May of 1976.
How long have you been doing what you’re doing (before Ecolink!)? 1 year spent in quality control; 7 years spent in new product development; 15 years spent in R&D Director roles; 2 years spent in mergers and acquisitions; 10 years spent in general management roles.
Has Georgia always been home for you? Indiana my first 36 years; Georgia for 11 years; New York for 3 years; Georgia (for a second time) for 8 years.
When you aren’t at work, what are you doing? Reading; Cooking (particularly BBQ on my Big Green Egg); Homebrewing; Tennis
What would be the first thing you’d do (or buy) if you won the lottery? I only buy a ticket when the prize is nine figures. If I won, the first thing I’d do is create a Foundation to benefit causes (environment/education) that I’d like to support.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Thomas Jefferson. I love the comment made by John Kennedy when he hosted 13 Nobel Peace Prize winners for dinner:
“I want to tell you how welcome you are to the White House. I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
Are you a cat person or a dog person? DOG! Cats have no discernible value.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them! Frankie – a Boston terrier puppy (8 months old) He’s a smart, high energy dog who fetches better than our former dog (Labrador Retriever) ever did.
What’s your favorite time of year? October! Warm days, cool nights, beautiful coloration.
Favorite iPhone/smartphone app? Either my Kindle reader or Waze – a GPS with good turn by turn directions, but also some fun built in.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What are the 3 things you couldn’t live without? I’m assuming that power is non-existent, so electronics are out. The complete works of Alexander Solzhenitsyn; an unlimited supply of Pliny the Elder (an Imperial India Pale Ale); a basketball (I’d have to figure out how to fashion a basketball goal).
Favorite movie?
Comedy: Used Cars Action: Indiana Jones (the original)
Crime: Fargo Drama: To Kill a Mockingbird
If you were a super hero, what would your name be? Big Green Eggman!!
What super power would you want to have and why? Flying of course. What freedom that would afford.
Something interesting about you? I threw a football with OJ Simpson in the summer of 1969 before he signed his contract with the Buffalo Bills. He was visiting someone in a neighborhood near my house, and we drove over to play catch with him and a bunch of other kids. I have two autographs and a memory of him being scary fast.
What TV shows do you watch religiously? For the most part I find sitcoms to be not worthy of my attention; however, for the past thirty years or so there’s one sitcom so well written that I’ll watch religiously (never more than one at a time) Currently it’s Modern Family. Prior to that it was Seinfeld. Prior to that Cheers. Prior to that MASH.
What was your first car? What happened to it? 1976 Silver Camaro – bought it new: 6 cylinder, standard transmission, no air conditioning. Drove it for 70K and traded for another Camaro with automatic transmission and air conditioning.
If you could travel in a time machine, would you go to the past or the future? Past. I’m intrigued by two time periods – the Civil War and the American Revolution. Wouldn’t want to stay too long in case I required medical care :-)
Best piece of advice you were ever given? Pursue a graduate degree. I had no immediate plans to get a Masters degree until a meeting with my boss when I was 25 years old.
Any little ones at home? No little ones. 19 and 17 year old daughters
Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving. Family gatherings and THE FOOD!
College football or pro? Pro now. College when I was younger.
Favorite food? Where do I start? Something off my Big Green Egg – cooked on lump hardwood charcoal.
What did you get in trouble for the most when you were a kid? Not much. I had an older brother and learned to not do the things that got him in trouble. Probably having a messy room was my worst vice.
What really gives you the creeps? Love snakes, hate cockroaches.
Playlist of your current top 5 favorite songs?
- On a Bus to St. Cloud – Gretchen Peters
- Haven’t Learned a Thing – Amy Speace
- Morning Dance – Spyro Gyra
- Overkill – Colin Hay
- Les Miserables – the entire musical
Most importantly: what’s your favorite part of your job? Solving a customer’s problem when all else has failed him. Our willingness to customize solutions has gathered great respect and loyalty for Ecolink.
Mark
Khatera Barati
