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Today we are excited to introduce you to another member of the Hero Arts family. In this feature we show you the people behind the scenes who work hard to bring you quality products and inspiration. We call them Hero's Heroes because they are how we do what we do!
This month we are spending some time with Cornell Gray. Cornell is the Operations Manager of our Oakland branch, which is the wood mount and rubber production facility for the array of Hero Arts Rubber Stamps products. Let's get to know Cornell!
What you do for Hero Arts and how long you have been here?
I efficiently oversee all aspects of the production and distribution operations in our Oakland branch. This includes customer service, purchasing, prioritizing, quality control, order entry, scheduling, shipping and receiving, cycle counting, managing inventory, safety programs, employee evaluations and troubleshooting as well. I've been with the company 30 years as of June 2018.
What are three words to describe Hero Arts?
The are so many positive words I could use to describe Hero Arts. The three I will use are: innovative, efficient, teamwork.
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from Stockton, California. I am a widower with three adult children ages 34, 32 and 28 and have two adorable granddaughters. I relocated to the Bay Area in March 1986 and been calling it home ever since. The Bay Area has so much to offer in terms of opportunity and entertainment. I Love It! I've met a beautiful lady name Concetta Asuncion and now have been in a wonderful relationship for over a year now. She brings me joy!
What do you enjoy doing in your personal life?
I am a singer, entertainer and music lover. I also love dancing, Zumba dancing and a good cardio workout. Power walking around Lake Merritt or walking the Cleveland Cascade stairs in Oakland are my favorites. I just love being out and about whether it be planned or spontaneous.
What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
The most recent kindest thing that someone has done for me is tracked me down in a grocery store and hand me my wallet (not knowing I had dropped it outside in the store parking lot). Of course I didn't discover I had lost it until I was in the checkout line about to pay for my items. So as I was backtracking aisles I had been, a young lady called my name. I responded and she apologized for looking in my wallet and my I D. I told her and her husband it didn't bother me a bit that you did and I am so grateful it was a honest couple like you who took the time to find me in the store. This happened a week before Christmas. So against their will, I purchased their groceries as a token of appreciation. These are the kind of people society needs to make this world a better place.
Do you have a favorite quote?
One of my favorite quotes is: "Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it!" - Nicholas Sparks
Best vacation you’ve been to?
Cabo San Lucas Mexico
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Prince
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
My safe with valuable momentos.
Thank you, Cornell, for helping us to get to know you better. We are grateful that you are part of the Hero Arts family!
What a wonderful statement Cornell makes for your company. I retired five years ago from a company that I had worked for 27 yrs. Cornell sounds like one of our much needed everyday hero’s. Someone who works hard, plays hard & loves family. I have a crafts room that my husband of over 30 yrs. made for me. Hero Arts fills a lot of space in that room, I’m happy to say. Hero Arts & Cornell are inspirations. cmj
Good to know there are great folks in the companies I like. Glad you’ve found someone who enjoys your company. Take care and enjoy life.
Loved to read his story, hero arts sure have wonderful people working for them.
so interesting. what a fascinating man!! love this series
What an awesome way to honor your employees! We forget there really are people behind the scenes that make everything we see and get possible. I enjoyed reading about Cornell, he sounds like he truly is a Hero’s Hero in life as well. God Bless.
It is nice to learn about what you do at Hero Arts and about what you do in your spare time. It looks like you like to hike. Was that photo taken at Mission Peak?
I love these peeks at the people at Hero Arts, behind the scenes. It is very telling that Cornell has been with you for 30 years! He obviously enjoys life to the fullest and has a wonderfully positive view of life. This article just made me smile!
What a great intervieuw, this man is a man to my heart. I hope that make sense in English. I am not a native speaker.
Nice to meet you, Cornell! Looks like you have a full and joyous life!
This is the second interview I have read about your employees. I hope that you continue to publish them, because I really enjoy them. What a wonderfully positive person Cornell is. I love that he was so appreciative of the woman returning his wallet (my husband has returned I don’t even know how many wallets he’s found, and a couple of times the person didn’t even thank him!). Anyway, I’m sure you appreciate his devotion to his job, and his attitude.
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