Most people know WHP Trainingtowers for our amazing fire training towers or our innovative equipment and revolutionary materials that help firefighters train more effectively. But there’s something else about us that makes us unique. We’re lucky enough to be a family company. The fire service is often described as a brotherhood. It is much the same at WHP. President and owner, Bill Jahnke, is a retired fire chief, and he brought the culture of the fire service with him when he started WHP.
“We have many fire service professionals on staff and consider all employees adopted Jahnkes,” says daughter Amanda Simmons, who serves as Director of Marketing, Accounting Manager, and Logistics Coordinator. Simmons has worked at WHP for over 20 years. “At the end of the day, despite what has happened throughout the week, we have each others’ backs,” she shared.
Chief Bill Jahnke admits that working with family members brings unique challenges. “You have the family history and love of one another, but you have the cold reality of running a company,” he said. “This presents unique pressures on you as the owner, and as a father. Sometimes you have to remember which hat you are wearing when you make decisions. There have been times that, for the good of the company, the family has to adapt to the reality of the business world and accept those decisions.”
Daughter, Maggie Scaletty, Chief Operating Officer at WHP, has over 15 years of experience in business and construction management and handles the day to day financial management, operations, and business development. “Family knows who you are – the good, the bad, the ugly. There is no hiding, which can be frustrating at times, but also incredibly reassuring,” she said. “We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and push one another to succeed. We pride ourselves at WHP in being very family focused.”
Son, Steve Jahnke, manages design and in-house fabrication and handles research and development projects. He says that working with family members can be hard because there is always the tendency to ask the family member for more, or go to them first when something is needed. But he also said camaraderie is one of the best benefits of working for a family-owned company. “We help each other more, and not just the family members.”
Covid really was a time for the company to shine. “We had children set up doing remote school in the conference rooms if our in-person employees needed it,” Steve said. “We even helped make sure people had what they needed as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and masks became harder to get. There is a lot more flexibility when a company is family owned.” Flexibility is one of the best perks according to Amanda as well. “Not only can I work part of the time in the office and the other time at home, but our employees have flexibility too.” She likes the fact that employees can bring their children in when they need to. “We are a very family-oriented business and it’s very common to see kids from all employees in the office from time to time,” she added. “It’s nice because we get to know each other’s families.”
When asked about family squabbles at work, Steve replied, “No, never.” Then quickly followed up with, “Just kidding. I don’t believe I have ever heard of a family business that didn’t have some disagreements on the job. But, it’s not overly common.” Amanda also admits it can be challenging to keep the two worlds from mixing. “The worst part is when conflicts from work follow you home,” she explains. “It’s really easy to say ‘I keep home and work separate’ but sometimes it’s easier said than done.” But she summed it up nicely when she said, “The best thing about working with my family is that we all have a common goal – for WHP to be successful – not just for our benefit but for the benefit of all our employees and their families. That won’t ever change.”
“There is a big difference between a ‘family company’ and one that is just family owned,” said Steve Jahnke. “WHP Trainingtowers is a family company!”
