When Larry O’Neal moved from the east coast to Pittsburg, Kansas, to join the Watco Team as a systems analyst at the home office, he didn’t know anyone. Making his transition even more challenging was leaving behind his wife and younger son, who will remain in North Carolina until that son graduates in May.
Now, five months later, O’Neal says the fact that Watco functions as a family has helped with that transition.
What also helped, he said, was participating in the town-wide Corporate Challenge as part of the Watco Team. Held for three days in August, the event pitted eight large Pittsburg-based companies against each other in games like Disc Golf Toss, Bowling, and Team Spirit. Dozens of Watco Team members competed.
Watco brought home the 1st place trophy last year, and took 2nd place honors this year.
“One of the reasons I volunteered to participate in these games was to meet others in the Watco family,” O’Neal said. “I met some folks that I wouldn’t have met ordinarily, but I think these games went beyond just that. The camaraderie of everyone here is wonderful. Everyone works hard to make Watco the best company it can be.”
He also became more recognizable to fellow Team members by performing in the Lip Sync Battle as a “back-up guitarist” to CEO Rick Webb “singing” an original version of Johnny B. Goode called “Watco Be Goode.”
“A few people who saw me in the games came up to me the week after and said they saw me dancing on stage, and they gave me a thumbs-up,” O’Neal said, “which felt nice.”
“And the Watco Team members and their families couldn’t have been prouder that Mr. Webb participated, not only in the Lip Sync but that he and his family stayed to the very end to hear the results,” O’Neal said. “While he is the leader of all of us, most of the time he is just one of us. Fooling around, laughing, and genuinely enjoying himself. To me, that is great. Another reason I enjoy coming to work each day.”
Watco Team Captain Amber Gardner, who coordinated Watco’s participation and like O’Neal, performed in the Lip Sync Battle, agreed.
“One really unique thing about our Team is that Watco was the only Team who had a CEO that not only showed up to the Wednesday night final events, but also participated!” Gardner said. ” This kind of leadership sets Watco apart from other businesses in Pittsburg and across the globe!
Watco’s 2nd place ranking was just six points behind the 1st place team, National Pizza Company, which owns Pizza Hut and Wendy’s franchises across the U.S.
Here’s a look back at our Lip Sync!
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