Meet Vernon “McGiver” Lilly, Operations Manager at Specialty Pipe & Tube

What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
The people I work with and opportunity to deal with the “unexpected”. 

What do you do at our company? Explain.
Literally everything associated with all aspects of warehouse operation (freight arrangements, equipment maintenance, purchasing supplies for warehouse, backup fork lift/saw operator, ISO/OSHA-related responsibilities, maintenance of grounds and warehouse building, minor repairs necessary around the office (plumbing, electrical, etc.) to management of warehouse crew – and head BBQ-meister for customer BBQ lunches at office.

What makes you wake up and come to work every day?
Pride of working for Specialty Pipe & Tube, the best company in the industry, along with enjoyment of people I work with and desire to make sure Specialty Pipe & Tube remains at No. 1 industry spot in customer satisfaction.

What has been your favorite project (or aspect of your job) so far?
Building a new saw table from ground up (designing, buying the parts from various vendors, welding of parts together and assembling) saved Specialty Pipe & Tube approximately $50k and fabricated a saw table, which will outlive me and a couple of generations to follow.

Apart from your work, what are some side projects or hobbies you have outside of the office?
Hunting, fishing and my family.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
 I’m a pretty good carpenter.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Did you take it?
If you have an opportunity to better your position in life, take it (Rene Morrison). I’ve had many opportunities to move on from Specialty Pipe & Tube, both from customers and competitors. In weighing all the aspects of Specialty Pipe & Tube versus other offers, I have each time made the decision to remain at Specialty Pipe & Tube.

Location: Texas
Years tenured: 36 years