Ever since he can remember, Eric Rowzee wanted to work for his father, Earl Rowzee. When Rowzee’s father hired him in 1999 at Werco Building Specialties, he started at the bottom and has finally worked his way up through the ranks to become president of the company his dad founded in the family’s living room 40 years ago.
As Business Report details in its latest Executive Spotlight feature on Eric Rowzee, he now relishes in making his father proud each day as he works toward helping the company continue to thrive and prosper.
Since its humble beginnings in 1975, Werco has grown into a leader and primary wholesale supplier to general contractors, architects, owners and end users of materials identified under the Construction Specifications Institute’s Division 10 Specialties. Those materials include toilet partitions, restroom accessories, plaques, signage, cubicle curtains, wall guards, floor mats, flagpoles and even flags. The finished building materials supplied in countless office buildings, schools and libraries throughout the Capital Region can often be traced back to Werco.
Supplying and installing the crucial trimmings in offices throughout the Baton Rouge and the Gulf South for 40 years, Rowzee insists no requirement is too large or small for Werco’s customers. His secret to success: “We never get complacent,” he says.
Waiting tables throughout high school and college proved a useful training ground for Rowzee, who says the experience helped him develop and practice the customer service skills he now uses daily. Other early career experiences like working as a manager at Sherwin-Williams provided invaluable retail and wholesale experience, along with the responsibility of managing both a store and employees.
While Werco is one of the largest Division 10 stocking distributors in the Gulf South, Rowzee notices more competition entering the market as Capitol Region industrial growth brings more construction to the area. Rowzee finds himself constantly working to ensure that Werco remains competitive while maintaining its integrity and upholding its reputation.
Rowzee and his wife support and volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, inspired to get involved because one of their daughters was diagnosed with a rare form of MD at the age of 12. She is now 21.
Read the full Executive Spotlight Q&A with Rowzee. Here’s the sample of what you’ll find:
What is a great piece of advice you’ve personally received? Did you have occasion to put it to use?
“‘Never give up’ is what my dad always told me. I put that slogan to use every day I wake up.”
