Partner and regional service trainer Carl Williams

Award-winning commitment

As a partner, service trainer and father, Carl Williams certainly maintains a full plate, but his commitment to helping others grow is second to none. Carl is the definition of a team player and a role model for others in The Connor Group.

“Carl embodies our ‘People Count’ core value,” said partner and area manager Payton Stone. “Carl genuinely cares for his team and treats them like family. He knows how to have a good time and make the workplace fun, while at the same time ensuring that the task at hand is completed the right way.”

Carl is coming off a stellar 2022, during which he won National Top Service Trainer and was nominated for the National Core Value award. Carl helped rebuild service teams and championed our culture, all while supporting five markets and developing 16 associates.

“Carl was instrumental in our Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa, Charlotte and Raleigh markets,” partner and VP of Training Ashley Smith said. “He also developed a new trainer, Ben Leonhardt, and two senior lead techs.

“He helped ensure our property and residents were taken care of in Tampa during a hurricane and drove to Atlanta to help with bursting pipes. That’s truly acting like an owner.”

Carl recently shared stories and lessons learned from his 12-year Connor Group career.

What does it mean to you to win National Top Service Trainer?

For me, it means that the people I have worked with have had success. As a trainer, my success is a direct reflection of their success. I would not be in this position if it weren’t for each one of them.

How do you balance travel with achieving goals and even family time?

I have two kids, ages 16 and 6, a wife, and I also take care of my parents. Prioritized tasks and schedules are a must to keep everything on track.

Looking at people you’ve trained recently, who has a bright future in the company?

Will Edmonds, Jimmy Stastny, and Jose Arias. They all have a long runway with the company, and I can’t wait to see what their futures hold.

As a leader in several markets, how do you instill the importance of The Connor Group culture?

Living and breathing the core values every day and truly believing in our culture. I have to lead from the front and prove that through my actions. People see better than they hear.

You’ve dealt with floods, hurricanes, and everything in between… give us one of the craziest times you’ve had while working with The Connor Group.

So many crazy times, but one that always sticks out to me is during the polar vortex 2013-2014. I was at the Villager as the lead tech. Our team was dealing with frozen and bursting pipes, in the middle of dealing with a burst pipe in a townhouse. After valve problems and ceilings falling in, we finally got the water off. We repaired the breaks and cleaned up the water. Then, my wife called. She told me our house had a pipe break and flooded. That was a hell of a night.

Back to News