Jean Wetheringnton has had a service heart her entire life; caring for those around her is the most significant part of who she is. Jean’s passion for customer service began at age 12 when she spent time helping and learning the service industry basics at her family’s restaurant. “We had a family restaurant, and shortly after my mom passed away, I became more involved in overseeing day-to-day operations. I guess you could say that I ended up liking it so much that I stayed to help for almost two decades.”
Jean finds comfort in staying busy. Now, instead of restaurant customers, she helps serve the 65,000 residential and corporate customers in the Ft. Myers metro market area. She was no stranger to getting behind the wheel of a big piece of machinery, having worked for a few years as a school bus driver before finding her way to Waste Pro. “It’s totally different,” Jean shares. “Working with a garbage company is a lot more responsibility – even more than working with kids.”
“On any given day, I am driving all over in my current servings our corporate accounts. I meet my customers by driving from North Naples to Cape Coral, Lehigh, and throughout Ft. Myers. I love seeing them; they know I will take care of them.” That is what she is known for within her team as well. Known as ‘Mama Jean,’ she not only helps with the training and mentorship of new and up-and-coming drivers but has helped implement new best practices for the division.
“Jean sets the standard for caring for our communities; everyone knows her, loves her, and respects her work ethic. When she is servicing upwards of 75 corporate customers a week, people see her example and want to follow in her footsteps,” shared Division Vice President Bill Jones.
Jean knows what’s expected of her each day during her routes and does daily during her routes and does whatever she can to get it done. Even after a family loss last year, Jean found comfort in working with her Waste Pro Family. “People were surprised I was back to work so quickly, but it gave me a sense of purpose, and I know my customers needed me. It helped keep me going.”
After the last six years with Waste Pro, Jean has had many roles, and there’s no end in sight for now. “I want to keep driving and serving my community as long as possible. Waste Pro is family and my home.”