From Garage to SpaceX - Episode 88 - Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator - Jorge Martinez and Patty Koehler

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Patricia Koehler began working side-by-side with her father, Jesus Raul Martinez Sr., the founder of JR Custom Metal, 48 years ago. She has held various positions within the family-owned business and served as general manager for ten years prior to becoming president and CEO in 1995. Under Patricia's leadership, the company became ISO 9001:2008 Certified in 2009 with SAI Global and upgraded to ISO 9001:2015 in 2018 with ISOQAR. A second multi-million dollar expansion was done in 2013.

Born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Patricia grew up in Wichita and graduated from South High School. She continued her education at Kansas State University and completed a mini MBA at Wichita State University. Patricia has a strong commitment to her community. She has served on numerous boards, including Newman University, Via Christi Hospital, The Lord’s Diner, Catholic Charities and Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is currently active with the WSU Tech Board of Directors and Exploration Place.

Jorge Martinez was born and raised in Wichita. He graduated from Wichita South High School and attended Wichita Area Vo-Tech School. He is the co-owner of JR Custom Metal Products. Jorge has successfully managed national installations for Boeing, Alcoa, Henri-Line and Siemens. He is responsible for researching and purchasing all major equipment for JRCM. Jorge is involved in the Wichita community and has served on many boards including the American Red Cross and Starkey. He is a member of the West Wichita Sunrise Rotary Club, the Wichita Manufacturing Association and the Kansas Family Business Forum. He is very involved with sports and served on the Board of Directors for Two Rivers Youth Club, and was Assistant and Hitting Coach for Friends University Softball.

In 2011, JRCM received the Wichita Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award and the Siemens Energy Small Business Award for Supplier Excellence. In 2012, JRCM was one of five companies awarded Best in Business by the Wichita Business Journal. In 2013, Patricia was inducted into the Junior Achievement Wichita Business Hall of Fame.

JR Custom Metal Products
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On this episode we discuss:
● Jesus Raul Martinez Sr. starting in the garage in 1978
● Always wanting to start his own business
● Partnering with Spirit and SpaceX
● Selling during the factory tour
● Not focusing on a single industry
● How being Hispanic flows through their company culture
● Working with technical and trade schools for talent acquisition
● Being a second chance for employees
● The mentorship of Sam Marcus
● Being a family oriented (as well as owned) business
● Remembering where you came from
● The key of automation
● Building businesses in Wichita

Listen on popular podcast directories and aggregators, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and ICT Podcast Network or using the player above. Send feedback on this show and/or suggestions for future guests or topics by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or emailing communications@wichitachamber.org.

Wichita Chamber Business Accelerator is a weekly podcast devoted to supporting and learning from area business owners. Released every Wednesday, it's produced by Forge Podcast Co, managed by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Evergy. 

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