Nancy L. Jones,
President/COO
Janmari Jones,
CFO/Executive Vice President
Icemakers, Inc.
3711 5 th Court North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205-591-2791
Fax: 205-591-2389
E-mail: nancy@icemakers.net & jan@icemakers.net
Website: www.icemakers.net
Favorite Quotes: “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
“Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends He chooses.” The Message Bible
Profile name: Nancy L. Jones
Title: President/C.O.O.
Company/Organization: Icemakers, Inc.
E-mail: nancy@icemakers.net
Company/Organization Brief Mission: Although we have never formally laid down a brief mission for our company our goal today is as it has always been from the beginning. To make sure we offer the best support and technology available in our industry to our customers. To constantly seek ways to make inroads into growing our market. My father lead by example and the principles he lived in front of us are still very much a part of this company today.
Job description: I generally oversee all the basic operations of the company. This could be anything from being the receptionist for the day or handling a Human Resource issue or selling parts and equipment to maintaining good relations between the factories and vendors we use and even collecting accounts receivables. In short, I fill what ever position is necessary at the time.
Length of service: All my life. My father and mother started this business 42 years ago. This was my summer job and has now moved into what it is today. Officially I’ve been here 26 years.
Education: Elementary through College.
Family: I am the mother of three and the grandmother of two. My oldest son Jim, a computer engineer with Bell South, and wife Amy are the parents of James and Madeline. My daughter Adrian is married to Tommy and she along with my youngest son Jason are the third generation coming up through the ranks at Icemakers, Inc.
Personal Business Philosophy: Always keep your priorities in order. For me that is first and foremost my relationship with the Lord. To be mindful of the many blessings he has bestowed on me and the great responsibility he has given me. I am sitting in a seat that I was not originally intended for and that it is by his design that I am here. To always be a good steward of all I have been given and remember that I can never out give God.
Advice to women in business: I’m not usually one to give advice; it is something that is too easily thrown about these days and generally not worth much. But I feel that maintaining ones’ integrity is of utmost importance. Respect yourself and others. Recognize and appreciate both your strengths and weaknesses.
Best advice ever received: Hold tight to those things in your life that are of the highest value and let go of all the rest from my Great Aunt Minnie.
Secret to surviving in business: Surround yourself with good and trustworthy people. Count your blessing if you are fortunate enough to have a partner, who is also your sister, that can pick up the slack where your weaknesses prevail and will step back and let your strengths shine.
Your strongest inspiration: My faith and the love of my family and friends.
What being in business has taught you: Humility and the ability to laugh at myself plus the courage to admit when you are wrong and the strength to ask forgiveness.
Secret to dealing with employees: The best lessons I learned for dealing with anyone not just employees came from being a mom. Treat people as you would like to be treated, respect them as individuals. Learn their strengths and weakness so you can place them in the best light in the company. Show you are not above any work that is required. We have been more than blessed with a very best team of employees anyone could ask for. They are hard working and faithful and that makes my job a whole lot easier.
Special Comments: Keep your faith and a good sense of humor because there are going to be more days than you can count when one or both will be a necessity.
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Profile name: Janmari Jones
Title: C.F.O./Executive Vice President
Company/Organization: Icemakers, Inc.
E-mail: jan@icemakers.net
Mission: Icemakers has been selling Scotsman ice machines for 42 years and our thought now is the same as it was then; to sell as many ice machines as possible, provide quality service and friendly, capable customer service. The fact that we are in our second generation of ownership and management is testimony that we are fulfilling our objective.
I am Chief Financial Officer, and as such I oversee the financial side of our company. I am in charge of all bookkeeping, financing, tax reporting, and working with our Accountants during the annual audit. Each month I prepare the internal financial statements.
In 1992 I returned to Icemakers after a seven year sabbatical and have continued with the company in a management position and then as an owner.
I studied accounting at UAB and upon completing a two year course I returned to Icemakers as the chief bookkeeper.
My husband, Bryan and I have four children between us (Joy, David, Megan and Katy) and one adorable grandson (Brandon age 5). Joy works for Whitney Bank in New Orleans; David is a recent graduate of Auburn University and considering becoming a part of the third generation of management at Icemakers; Megan and Katy are both students at Mississippi College.
Personal Business Philosophy: Philosophy is the critical discussion and evaluation of fundamental assumptions that we make in everyday life. I have learned that you get what you expect inspect and not what you expect, therefore, never make decisions based on assumptions, discover the truth and, please, don’t micro manage.
Favorite Quote: Isaiah 43:18-19 “Don’t think on the former things, don’t ponder the past. For I have already begun a new work in you, perceive it. I have made a roadway through the wilderness and placed a river in the desert.”
Advice to women in business: Be honest with yourself concerning your abilities, don’t try to be superwoman. When you are wrong admit it, apologize and move on. Don’t hold grudges they age your soul. Each day is a new day and the first day of the rest of your life. Rejoice.
Best advice ever received: Choose your battles wisely, not everything is worthy of a battle.
Secret to surviving in business: Have a sister that has strengths for all your weaknesses. Realize that leadership doesn’t mean you’re perfect. Depend every day on the Lord to guide every thought, word and deed. If you place all in His hands then He’s responsible for the outcome. He is the potter I am the lump of clay. You can’t out give God, tithe your income. He gives it back in ways you can’t imagine.
Your strongest inspiration: My Mom; her example of loyalty and faithfulness to my Dad and to her children; her keen insights into people and her love of travel and seeing and experiencing new things have motivated me to enjoy life as it is right now.
What being in business has taught me: Hmmm? That I can truly trust my God to protect me, provide for me and guide me every day. I am fulfilling His plan for me, it isn’t one that I ever dreamed would be, He will complete the work.
Secret to dealing with employees: Understand that they are each worthy of respect and consideration, treat them as you would wish to be treated and value them. You can’t run your business without them. When you have a divisive one, let them go and when you have a good one reward them. I have always said that the best training any woman can ever have for managing employees is to be the Mom of more than one child.
Comments: I feel that my life has been greatly blessed. How many people get to use their skills and talents in a business started by their parents? Being able to continue and even improve what my parents started 42 years ago is such an honor and what a blast. Every day is interesting. The people that work with us are “family” and we are blessed to have them. I hope that Icemakers will continue for another 42 years and provide a good living for future generations. The lesson here is that God is able to accomplish all that He plans. My sister and I were not raised or educated to become managers or business executives, we were to be wives and Moms in the southern tradition. Our parent’s plan was for their sons to run the business, not their daughters. God’s plan was entirely different. He has taken two women without degrees, which the world lauds, and gave them each unique talents and abilities. Then He placed them in the fire of the business world and developed them into the women that are here today. It is all about Him and His grace and provision and nothing about us. We simply walk close to Him and follow His lead. The testimony here is that God can do anything. You don’t need a long list of degrees to succeed. You just need the Lord, His direction and your willingness to obey. He will accomplish more than you can ever dream.
