Seasonal hiring begins soon

For Butch Rosecke, owner of Mr. Goodwater, engaging with high school and college students serves not only as a way to foster talent but to give back and mentor the next generation. As a former basketball coach and genuine people person, Butch offers a compelling perspective on the responsibility business leaders have to help prepare the labor force of tomorrow.

Bridging the gap
Rosecke is frequently asked to speak to college classes or at local high schools such as Belvidere North. Through these classroom visits, he takes an active role in bridging the gap between education and real-world business practices. Recently, he spoke to a business class at Rock Valley College about customer service.

“I had some pretty good interactions; they were engaged,” he said. “I was asking probing questions like, what’s the most impactful thing you’ve learned in class so far? What’s something that that you have to do in customer service that you think is silly but needs to be done?”

One key takeaway from his interactions with students is the necessity of soft skills, which he believes are dwindling in today’s digital age. By engaging with students, he hopes to help them realize how vital these skills are to future success.

“With texting and social media, our engagement with other people has really dropped off,” Rosecke said. “Soft skills—being able to communicate, create a conversation, build trust with customers or build trust with an employer—are critical.”

Although most of the students he talks to won’t end up working at his company or even his industry, Rosecke believes exposing young people to business professionals can impact their career trajectories. “I benefit because it makes me feel good that I am contributing to the next generation—possible leaders, possible employees, or whatever else they’re going to be,” he said.

Hire right and train well
Rosecke’s somewhat unconventional approach to hiring also reflects his commitment to workforce development. “We hire based on character only,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for, and we work very diligently to know the people that we hire.”

This philosophy underscores the importance of trust and responsibility within his organization. From day one, employees at Mr. Goodwater have significant responsibilities, including access to company resources such as keys to the building and fuel credit cards.

“Integrity and work ethic are foundational. We can teach the other things,” Rosecke said.
To teach those “other things,” Mr. Goodwater invests heavily in employee development through weekly training programs and manager meetings.

The company also sponsors employees for external leadership programs, such as the Leadership Rockford program offered by the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC). Employees in technical fields receive paid training and certifications, ensuring they stay up to date with industry advancements.

It’s a family thing
Family plays a significant role at Mr. Goodwater. Rosecke works closely with his children, Jusin and Kassie, who are involved in various aspects of the company. “Both of my kids, when they got done with college, came to work here at Goodwater. They’re very high-level producers, hard workers,” he said.

His approach to business integrates family values, creating a welcoming environment that extends to all employees. “We do family Christmas parties and a family picnic in the summer. We’re a close team,” Rosecke said.

The company culture even extends beyond the workplace. “We have a group text called Team Goodwater that includes not just employees but also their families if they want to be involved,” he explained. This informal communication strengthens team bonds.

Rosecke’s management philosophy appears to be paying off. “I’ve been in business 20 years, and I’ve handed out five 10-year plaques to employees. That’s a crazy number for a start-up company that had no employees for the first year and a half.”

It’s a community thing
Rosecke has high praise for local organizations like GRCC for their efforts to connect local businesses with educational institutions and other workforce development organizations.
“Here’s what I like to tell people about the Chamber… You get out what you put in. Point blank. Period,” he said. “Not only does the Chamber provide networking opportunities, but they encourage professionals to get involved with nonprofits and community initiatives.”

For businesses leaders considering engaging with educators and students, Rosecke offers a simple piece of advice: “Get out and be seen. Be part of a movement that’s going on. Just be a part of the community.”

While not every business will have a direct return on investment from interacting with high school and college students, the broader impact on community preparedness and employee readiness makes it a worthwhile endeavor.