The Ranger Group believes in promoting employees that show great potential into leadership roles and Zach Crawford is one of those employees. Zach has been with Ranger for a little over one year and recently got promoted into the Account Manager role in our Phoenix office.
(Pictured above: Zach Crawford and Ben Muth at the Phoenix Open)
Where did you grow up?
Ahwatukee, which is a suburb in Phoenix.
What was your favorite part about growing up in that area?
I was very fortunate to grow up next to the South Mountain Preserve. Me and my buddies, when not playing sports, would be out there hiking, mountain biking, or just exploring. It was a blast.
What college did you graduate from and what was your degree?
I graduated from Arizona State with a major in Agribusiness with a discipline in Turf management.
Why did you choose to go to Arizona State for college?
To be honest, I didn’t know if college was in the cards for me. I worked the first few years out of high school in flood/mold remediation. Luckily, I learned the value of continuing my education after working a few summers in 120 degree heat in a full hazmat suit with a respirator in a house with a couple inches of water. Pretty miserable.
What were you involved in at school?
I did a couple great internships while in school. I moved up to Denver one summer and worked for an organic fertilizer company. My other internship was working for the Cubs during spring training, a dream for me being a huge Cubbies fan!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to play catcher for the Cubs or drive a fire engine! The really big ones with the ladder on top.
What do you like to do for fun?
I really enjoy golf, regular or frisbee. I also like cooking/grilling/smoking and having a bunch of people over. I also have bit of a green thumb and enjoy working in my garden or doing yard work in general. I know yard work sounds crazy, but I’m a big believer in meditation through menial tasks and I just love seeing the final product when I am finished.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Scotland! I want to do a very thorough distillery tour and try a couple golf courses. I have gone to quite a few scotch and whiskey tastings. I’m a member of Laphroaig and Dalmore, both distilleries have a special dram waiting for me!
Where did you work before Ranger?
I worked for Guardian Insurance and I sold life insurance. All the cold calling you can handle! Before Guardian, I sold construction materials for Copper State Bolt & Nut.
What drew you to the staffing/sales industry and why did you choose to work at Ranger?
I wasn’t the greatest at selling insurance policies, but I was really good at networking and connecting with people. A good friend of mine had me sit down with his brother who is in staffing and he sold me on the idea of it.
I chose Ranger because of the challenge and opportunity of helping Ben get the Phoenix office off the ground. I see the great potential in Ranger. It also gave me the opportunity to compete with my previous staffing employer! I’m looking forward to Ranger chipping away at their market share year by year.
What Division do you recruit for and what do you like most about it?
I’m in AEC. My dad worked in construction, so I’ve always been around it. I like the directness of the people. It can be pretty clear cut with them: who you are, what you do, the cost, and how it is going to help them.
What motivates you to work hard?
The finer things in life. I want to do some extensive traveling, golf the most prestigious courses, and purchase a couple muscle cars! I also want to become a member of the Phoenix Country Club.
Do you have a favorite recruiting moment?
My first start- you never forget it. My start was a walk in that I volunteered to meet with in our office. He wasn’t for my division, but I took his resume to other account managers. I really appreciated the account manager pushing the client to interview him. He ended up getting the job and is still there 3 years later.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your role?
Distractions- it is imperative that I use the daily schedule to have my day planned out.
What advice do you have for someone looking to get into staffing/sales?
Be organized from day one and control the controllables. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, you’ll have a lot of information coming at you from the start. Also, be a sponge! You’ll have a lot of good people around with good tips and practices. Take good things they do and make them you own.
What do you hope to accomplish professionally in 2020?
Continue to grow AEC in Phoenix, hire and develop more recruiters, and get our spread over $15,000.
