By JIM HUNT For the Harrison County Journal
There are some trips that begin with a gentle alarm, a cup of coffee, and a leisurely drive to the airport.
This was not one of those trips.
My recent visit to Naperville, Illinois, began when my alarm rang at 2:30 in the morning. By 3:00 a.m., I was heading out the front door and driving toward Pittsburgh International Airport. I arrived around 4:30 a.m., found what felt like a prime parking spot right in front of the new terminal building, made it through security quickly, and soon found myself sitting in a restaurant called The Bad Egg.
Thankfully, the name was misleading.
The breakfast was delicious, and before long I was on a short flight to Chicago O’Hare, followed by an Uber ride to the headquarters of Oncourse Home Solutions. I was there to attend my first in person meeting of the Oncourse Advisory Board, which I joined in February of this year.
The day included a town hall meeting with more than 200 Oncourse employees gathered in a large, energetic hall. I had the opportunity to sit on stage with two of my fellow Advisory Board members, Sheila Pressley from Jacksonville, Florida, who also joined the board in February, and Hilda Pinnix Ragland, a veteran member who has served since the original group of advisors was formed several years ago.
I have been honored to meet these board members and to hear their insights, especially from their experiences in the utilities sector. Their perspective on the home warranty business, and the impact it can have on people’s lives, has helped me better understand the importance of the work Oncourse does every day.
Looking out at the employees in that room, I was struck by something that goes beyond corporate structure, job titles, or strategic plans. The new generation of workers at companies like Oncourse is diverse, talented, and full of energy. There was a genuine team spirit in the room. You could feel it.
I have also been impressed by how Oncourse conducts business and how seriously the company takes its role in giving back to the community. One person who represents that spirit well is Meg Hillock, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships. I met Meg more than a year ago, before Oncourse became an endorsed partner of the National League of Cities. Watching her work is a joy to behold.
Meg began her career with Oncourse answering phones, helping people who were dealing with water line breaks, sewer line problems, furnace issues, and other stressful household emergencies. Through talent, commitment, and compassion, she has advanced within the company and is now one of its most visible representatives at conferences across the country.
During the visit, Meg shared a story that captured the human side of the business. She remembered speaking with an elderly customer whose furnace had stopped working. The woman did not have the money to replace it and told Meg she had started sleeping on the kitchen floor with the oven door open, just to stay warm.
Meg said she never forgot that call. With tears in her eyes, she talked about the importance of treating customers as human beings, not as account numbers. That story stayed with me, too.
Later, as I walked past workstations where employees were wearing headsets and helping customers, I noticed the personal touches on their desks. Framed pictures of children. Stuffed animals. Sports memorabilia. Family mementos. Small reminders of real lives being lived behind each phone call.
It reminded me that companies are not just buildings, brands, or balance sheets. They are people. They are teams. They are cultures. And at their best, they are families serving other families.
After the meeting ended, we sat around and had lunch, and then Hilda and I grabbed an Uber back to the airport. By the time I finally made it home, it was after 11:00 p.m. It had been one of the longest travel days of my career.
But it was also one of those days that reminds you why you still say yes to new opportunities.
As I reflected on the day, I felt confident that serving on the Advisory Board for this innovative and growing company will be a meaningful experience. It will give me the chance to learn, contribute, and be part of a company that is working to help people at moments when they truly need help.
And that made it a trip worth getting up for, even at 2:30 in the morning.
