Craig Glazebrook blew in from Valley Station 30 years ago as a 17-year-old delivery driver who some predicted wouldn’t last a week. He’s now a 47-year-old Vice President of Sales, and Grinstead Group might not last a week without him. There are, however, some weeks we’d love to try!

Each of us could share a story of how Craig has touched us. Many did share their stories at the GGI Golf Outing in September, where Craig was honored. Here are some of the words — often contradictory, which sums up the Brookster, that his co-workers use to describe him:

• Communicator. Closer. Coach
• Leader. Self-made.
• Comedian. Compelling. Convincing.
• Instinctive. Intuitive. Opportunistic.
• Will always do you a favor. Remembers the favor.
• Loves to argue. (Has been caught arguing both sides of the issue.)
• Evangelist for his cause. Passionate
• Life of the party. Serious. Funny.
• Charismatic. Giving. Realist.
• Patient. Impatient. Bold. Direct
• Brother.

Each of us could share a story of how Craig has touched us. Many did share their stories at the GGI Golf Outing in September, where Craig was honored. Here are some of the words — often contradictory, which sums up the Brookster, that his co-workers use to describe him:

Some people lead by example, single mindedly setting high goals and zeroing in on them until they’re achieved. Others lead exclusively through personal touch, focusing and genuinely caring about those with whom they’ve surrounded themselves. Craig is that rare leader who does it both ways — and with a tough manner that’s purely his own.

Rick Osborne remembers one late afternoon when a customer called with a paint issue on a truck. When Brook and Rick arrived in their dress clothes, they prepped the vehicle and fixed the problem. «The owner could not believe that Brook, who is the VP of sales, and I did that dressed like that and on such short notice,» Rick says. «That customer constantly tells others of the great service our company provided.»

That roll-up-your-sleeves-even-if-they’re-French-cuffs attitude perfectly describes Craig’s world. It also largely explains how he’s gotten where he is today, working his way up from delivery driver to local route sales to Louisville market manager to Cincinnati manager, then to vice president of sales in 2006. It didn’t happen by accident. By living what Pastor Rick Warren wrote of as The Purpose Driven Life, Craig has helped shape his own future, the Grinstead organization and aspects of the whole automotive coatings industry.

Thank you, Craig, for devoting the last 30 years of your life to our Grinstead family. Seems like only a week, doesn’t it!