Pursuing Passion and Knowledge

Morgan Jones (MJ) talks to your author (LF) about life in the elevator world.

A go-getter from an early age, Morgan Jones, general manager for two Hyperion Brands, held her first management position at the age of 17. Soaking in the experience from a number of successful mentors and the knowledge from a variety of business roles, she joined the vertical-transportation (VT) industry in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. Her current role gives her the chance to work with different teams, creating variety and giving her the chance to collaborate with and learn from those around her. A passion for knowledge keeps her inspired to learn from others and grow her skills as she manages her teams and looks to the future of her company and the industry.

LF: Tell me about your background and education. Additionally, how did you get into the elevator/escalator industry and what has been your career growth/path?

MJ: I think I’ve always sought independence and have had a strong work ethic. I got my first job at 14, had my first management position at 17 and my first corporate role at 18 (when I moved out on my own). I graduated high school early so I could join the workforce and start paving my own way. I worked five years for a woman-owned, women-run ad agency learning all about marketing and business administration from a creative, ambitious leader. In that role, I had exposure to every area of the business, got to wear many hats and took away a great sense of empowerment. I carried the business skills I learned over to a telecom company, working the next five years in a director-level role for a very entrepreneurial leader. He taught me so much about determination and perseverance.

Through a recruiter, I landed at Torin Drive back in 2016 and got my start in VT working for a leader who pushed me outside my comfort zones and showed me I am capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. Every leader in my journey to today has had a significant impact on my growth and success and I’m so grateful for their investments in me.  

LF: What are your main job responsibilities in your current role? What’s your favorite aspect of the role? 

MJ: I’m general manager (GM) for Torin Drive North America in Tennessee and ZZIPCO in New Jersey. I have profit and loss responsibility and manage engineering, sales and field service teams. The GM role allows me to engage with different teams doing very different things and creates a variety that I really enjoy.

My mind is always on go, and I love the challenges of keeping multiple plates spinning and adapting to various needs within my business units. There are always opportunities within those teams to lean into the expertise of others and to brainstorm solutions. Maybe it’s my cheerleading background, but I thrive on spirited collaboration and try to always inspire my teams to work together as a cohesive unit. I really enjoy time in the field where I’m able to see our products in action and learn more about my customers and the challenges they face. Those experiences allow me to bring information back to my teams for action. I’d like us to always be a customer-focused organization that considers advancements and opportunities for more efficiency.

LF: Is there something that has surprised you about the industry or that you’ve learned from your time in it? What do you think makes our industry special or unique?

MJ: One of the greatest surprises and greatest joys of this industry is how helpful and supportive we are of each other. I regularly witness “competitors” offering advice or answers to one another. This industry brings together a variety of companies on both the supplier and service sides and includes global corporations along with local, family-owned companies with unique generational spans. This is an industry where all can be successful. It’s been such an inviting industry where I feel like we can all come together regardless of the name on our shirts. There are so many ways to get plugged in and engaged within the industry and great channels for learning. I’m going on eight years in the elevator world and can’t imagine leaving it!

LF: Has there been a difficult or particular challenge that you have dealt with successfully and of which you are especially proud?

MJ: With increasing levels of responsibility in business comes people management. While I have managed people since my late teens, I still encounter challenges and changes. We have to remain flexible and adaptable to the nuances of different generations and the dynamics of our workforce. Through Hyperion’s Leadership Bootcamp, I’ve learned valuable lessons in leadership and communication, including how to identify my own strengths and weaknesses and how to navigate them in my interactions with others. I plan to apply what I’m learning and continue growing my skills to better manage employee performance.

LF: What has been your experience as a female in this male-dominated industry? Has this changed over time?

MJ: Honestly, I’ve never sat back and felt this was a male-dominated industry. I understand that’s likely the truth, but I’ve never felt it. I’ve met a lot of strong lady leaders in weighty roles within the industry and had exposure to many through organizations like Women in Motion. I have worked with countless women across various positions in the elevator industry who do amazing work, and I have been personally inspired by their accomplishments. I believe we, as women, are the organization, the planning, the creativity and the unity driving success, in some respect, to every business. We have no ceiling.

LF: What are your goals in the near and distant future?

MJ: Top of mind for me is the need for more knowledge sharing and training industrywide. We know there will be a wave of current leaders rolling out in the coming years, leaving the next generation to stand in the gap. We have lots of work to do in the way of safety training, installation know-how and the importance of maintenance. I’m excited to take on the vice chair role with National Association of Elevator Contractor’s NexGen group in 2024 and am looking forward to bringing education and collaboration to future leaders. We have big shoes to fill, but there is a wealth of resources at our disposal and opportunities to work together to set ourselves up for success.

LF: What’s a fun fact about you or a special interest that you have that people might find interesting?

MJ: Fun fact: I LIVE for lavender lattes! I consider myself on a long-term scavenger hunt to find them everywhere I go. I travel quite a bit, and I make it my mission to have one every trip. From the cornfields of Indiana to the beaches of Florida, the suburbs of Dallas, to the big city of New York, I have yet to be at a loss! I even managed to find one in an airport once. They’re my favorite thing, and I love getting new people to try them out!