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Up Close & Personal

Name: Parish Green
Position: Co-owner and warehouse supervisor
Employer: American Duvet, Inc.

When Parish Green first started working in warehousing, he never imagined that one day he would become co-owner of a Chicago company that has been in business for 18 years.

Along the way, he's learned the importance of keeping customers happy. "It's having what [customers] want, when they want it," says Green.

"It's way beyond my wildest dreams," says Green, 34, a co-owner and warehouse supervisor at American Duvet, Inc., a wholesale supplier of down and feather products to the interior design industry, located in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor on Chicago's Near West side. "We get products from [other] companies and re-sell them direct to the interior design industry," Green explains.

Green graduated from the Shipping and Receiving Training Program at Greater West Town Training Partnership (GWTP) in 1999. Prior to that, he worked for RPS (now FedEx Ground), where he started out loading and unloading trucks, and eventually became an area trainer. After three and a half years with the company, he was ready for a change. He knew that additional training could lead to more job opportunities and better pay. (For more information on GWTP, see the article, "Bridging the Gap," featured in this issue.)

After graduation, Green went on several interviews, but decided to accept an offer from American Duvet because he felt the company would offer the best opportunities for advancement. "It seemed like a good fit, with the opportunity to learn more on the job," says Green. "[The owners] were going to teach me the ins and outs of warehousing." He's been with the company for six years.

He adds that the time he spent at GWTP prepared him well for his job. "[The training] touched on a lot of things that I do [at American Duvet]."

Green started at American Duvet as a warehouse worker, filling orders and handling shipping and receiving. As time went on, he continued to take on more responsibilities at the small, but busy, company. "Once you're familiar with the terms [of the industry], it's not hard to fill the orders," says Green. He adds that his willingness to learn new things helped him advance. "I always had a good work ethic," he says.

Green enjoys the detailed nature of his job and likes being independent. "No one's looking over my shoulder," he says.

Owners Maryanne Bostwick and Diane Martin (who died, unexpectedly, in a recent car accident), were planning to retire and wanted to turn their beloved company over to someone they trusted. "They took me under their wing and showed me how to run a warehouse," says Green.

Green was named co-owner of American Duvet in March 2005, and has since become more involved in making decisions for the company, including what trade shows to participate in and which products to feature.

He also supervises two employees, coordinates and attends six to eight trade shows per year, handles customer service calls and oversees product inventory. Along the way, he's learned the importance of keeping customers happy. "It's having what [customers] want, when they want it," says Green. That's no small task, considering American Duvet stocks pillows in 80 different shapes and sizes, along with comforters, down blankets and a small line of sheets.

Green typically works from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but if it's a particularly busy day or there's a trade show coming up, he may work late or even on a weekend. (He's been a salaried employee for three years.)

"In the morning, I check my computer for [online orders]," says Green, adding that he spends more than half his day on the computer, checking inventory, placing orders and running reports. "We're shipping and packing most of the day," he says. Although he's certified to operate a forklift, Green says he doesn't use one very often because their products are lightweight. Packages are shipped out via UPS, FedEx or a messenger service. Green enjoys the detailed nature of his job and likes being independent. "No one's looking over my shoulder," he says.

At the end of the day, Green fills any last-minute orders, then counts up the receipts and turns them over to Maryanne, who still handles the company's finances. Green, however, is learning about that side of the business in preparation for Maryanne's retirement in two years. When she retires, Maryanne will likely sell her portion of the company to another party, but details have not been finalized. Green will maintain his position as co-owner.

Bob Fittin, director of training for GWTP, says that Green is an excellent role model for other trainees at GWTP, as well as the community. "[Green] exemplifies the type of individual we serve," says Fittin. "He's a credit to his community." Green is also a member of the advisory board for GWTP.

In an effort to further advance his career training, one of Green's goals is to possibly pursue an associate's degree in transportation, warehousing & logistics. However, he plans to stay with American Duvet for a long time. "I enjoy getting up and coming to work every day," he says.

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