Star City Six – Jeremiah Jorgensen
Sam’s Club is a leading membership wholesale club, offering superior products and services at outstanding values to its members. Jeremiah Jorgensen is the General Manager of Sam’s Club North (www.samsclub.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
Our North location has provided goods and services to the Lincoln area for over 24 years. It does 60 million dollars in sales a year, and this year alone we’ve donated $37,000 to the local community.
How did you get started in the business?
I started with Sam’s Club 18 years ago as a cart attendant while in college in Sioux City, IA. I was promoted to cashier, checkout supervisor, and then to a technology lead position. Next, I was recruited for the Manager in Training program and became assistant manager in Springfield, IL. From there I worked in different cities in Illinois and Iowa before being promoted to co-manager in Omaha, NE in 2011. I then had the opportunity to become club manager and relocated to Ames, IA, came back Omaha, and now I’m here in Lincoln.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Seeing all of the people I’ve promoted moving forward in their careers, running their own clubs, and becoming great leaders within Sam’s Club.
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Misty and I have been together for nearly 12 years. We have four children, three boys and one girl. Our oldest is 10 and our youngest is 4, with a 7 and a 5-year-old in between. They are all smart, funny, and just great kids. My wife also works for Sam’s Club as an assistant manager.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Meeting my wife. She has always been a positive influence and very supportive of my professional and personal goals. I had never met anyone as confident, resourceful, and intelligent as she is, and being with her and starting a family together changed my life.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Spend time with my kids. I work a lot and when I’m off I want to be a part of their lives. I enjoy biking, horseplay, and gaming with all of them.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Under-promise, over-deliver.” I was told that by a fellow Club Manager it’s stuck with me ever since. As managers or associates, we all want to fix everything and be impressive. Oftentimes this leads to setting unrealistic goals and falling short, no matter how hard we worked or how much effort we put forth, which is then seen as being mediocre or unsuccessful. When you set realistic goals and you’re not only able to meet them but to surpass them, this is the true measure of success.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Influential.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To fly. I enjoy flying and a goal of mine is to obtain my pilot’s license.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
I volunteer with Special Olympics. My older brother has cerebral palsy and he’s an inspiration to me. He’s 55 years old and just amazes me with how much he enjoys life.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Engine House Café, hands down. Their Ribeye Eggs Benedict is delicious.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Via email at jdjorge.s06413.us@samsclub.com or stop in and see me!