Q&A With Juergen Henry

How did you begin your career at COPS?

I was referred to COPS by a good friend, at the time they were a dispatcher. I was a student and high school football coach at the time.

What did you like most about being a dispatcher? Operations Manager? VP of Operations?

As a dispatcher, I really liked helping to protect people and making their day better in what could be a stressful situation. I took pride in giving someone excellent service, and it always made my day better knowing when they acknowledged I helped them.

As Operations Manager of the Texas site, I liked the challenge of growing our team! It’s been a tremendous experience, watching our people grow personally and professionally is one of most gratifying experiences I’ve ever had.

In my new role as VP of Operations, I look forward to working closely with all of our site managers and their staff to help them realize their potential within our company.

What have you learned as you’ve grown with the company?

There’s nothing more valuable than the people that work with you. Also, you can’t lead without a clear and compelling vision.

Were you surprised to receive the promotion?

Yes! Both surprised and honored. When I started working here I never thought I would be in the position I’m in today.

How have you changed since you first started working at COPS?

I have matured, a lot. I was just 21 when I started working here. I didn’t know what it meant to work in a professional environment or fully comprehend what it took to live up to a higher standard in the workplace. Our company’s commitment to personal and professional growth is evident.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in making a career with us?

First, enjoy where you’re at now and the journey. The second I embraced the idea of enjoying what I did for a living was the moment I became great at my job. Second, there’s no timetable for success. I dispatched for almost 3 years before I received a promotion to management. Finally, you’re not going to be perfect. It’s okay not to be perfect or even get a review that wasn’t what you hoped for. It’s about how you respond to and learn from adversity, not the fact that you went through it.

What’s one mistake you’ve made, and what have you learned from it?

If you had to pick one character trait that helped make you successful, what would it be?