We sat down with 2 generations of Ellis family members. Here’s what they had to say on turning 70.
The Ellis family generally steers clear of the spotlight. They don’t really like talking about themselves – don’t want the attention on them. They much prefer to focus on the trajectory of the business, and all the people who are working so hard to see the company thrive, positioning Prudential well for the next 70+ years. And in recent interviews, they made it clear that it’s not just the executive team they’re thinking about day to day.
As a family-run business, it’s not surprising that they would want it to feel like a family. So they make an effort to be visible out on the floor, engage with employees as often as possible, and keep up the company traditions employees look forward to and enjoy. They know not just faces, but the names that go with those faces. They know who’s a cousin or spouse or parent of whom, and how many generations of particular families have come to work here over the years. There have been husbands and wives, brothers, fathers and sons all working side-by-side.
CEO Jeff Ellis met his wife Tammy here at Prudential over forty years ago. Jeff’s daughter Jolie is the CFO, and his nephew Ben runs Inside Sales. They have early memories of helping out as kids. Jeff recollects, “I started working here at 8 or 9 years old, going though construction papers and marking the C10 codes, working factory jobs in the summer. When phones rang and my parents were busy, I got to pick up after the fourth ring. I’d take a message and pass it along to someone who could help. I even worked weekends, driving around LA with my dad, looking for jobs under construction. We’d write down the contractor’s name, then follow up, trying to beat competitors to the punch.”
Jolie recalls, “My grandparents shared an office and would come out holding hands to make announcements. They very much doted on each other. My grandfather would ride a bike around the factory floor because it was so big at the time. He was the businessman. She watched the money.” Connecting the past to the current business, she adds with a smile, “So I guess it makes sense that it’s still an Ellis woman today taking care of the money.”
When the family speaks of the legacy they want to leave – even in separate interviews, the message was remarkably consistent. Yes, they commented on a desire to continue investing in innovation and growth. Yes, they will continue to be a truly USA lightning manufacturer (BABAA compliant with USA components). But the core of their closing comments was very much employee-focused. They each shared the desire to take care of people, continuing to provide generous benefits, so when people are ready, they can look forward to a comfortable retirement. Jolie shared that the family has received letters from former employees thanking them for the profit-sharing plan that enabled them to travel and truly enjoy retirement.
While each had a similar thought, Ben captured the heart of it, saying, “I think treating people well is the most important thing. I want us to be known as good people who did the right thing the right way.”