For most of us, we meet people every day. But every so often someone extraordinary enters our orbit and we are compelled to share their story.
Richie VanBost is that person. He has served our customers and walked out our core values for sixty years … and is still at it!
You read that right, 60 years.
I had the privilege recently of spending some time visiting Richie in preparation for this blog post and while I knew I had thoroughly enjoyed our conversation I realized only afterward that his genuine positivity and humility had shifted my perspective in several areas.
So, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy his story.
“It was January 1965, and I needed medical insurance for my first born. CME, Claflin Medical Company at the time, needed a driver.”
The rest is, as they say, history. As a side note, not only does that very child work for CME today, but at one time there were three generations of VanBost's working at CME simultaneously, Richie, his son, and his oldest grandson. And, over the years every one of Richie's five children have been employed by CME.
Reflecting on your 60 years here, what are some of the most significant changes you have witnessed within the company?
“Well, when I started there were four phone lines, four office employees, orders were written up by hand, (no computers) and you were paid in cash each week - the bills and the coins were given to us in an envelope. I was the only delivery driver for Rhode Island. Drove a Ford Econoline van. ”
While we have since grown into a coast-to-coast healthcare equipment distributor with over twenty-five warehouses across the country and 300 plus employees, some things have not changed. Richie shares that CME’s understanding of balancing work and prioritizing family has been around since the beginning. He says that when his childhood sweetheart and wife experienced a heart attack years ago, he was told to “go be with your wife” no questions asked. This genuine care and flexibility are why Richie has never been in a hurry to retire.
How has your role evolved over the decades and what were some of the key milestones you have experienced?
Richie has been part of the biggest company milestones in recent history. In 1976 he helped welcome the Almon family as the new owners. Then in 1981 he helped relocate the company when we outgrew our 17,000 square feet of space and again in 2010 when Claflin Medical Equipment relocated to our current location in Warwick, Rhode Island. He supported numerous acquisitions, as well as the merger with Hospital Associates and RSI with Claflin Medical that culminated in the 2016 rebranding as CME Corp.
As the evolution of the company unfolded over the years Richie also evolved. “I have been a driver, worked shipping and receiving, managed the warehouse, and reviewed freight bills. I have taken every opportunity that was offered to me”
With experience like that it is no wonder that when Richie thought of retiring seventeen years ago at age 65 our current CEO, Norm Chevrette, worked with Richie to create a role that prioritized well-earned time off but also kept him and his forty-three years of knowledge and experience close. Says Richie, “I have no regrets about not retiring.”
Choosing to stay with CME instead of retiring - now that is a milestone and the mark of an extraordinary man.
”I have been working here since 1981, that is 44 years and when I got here who was already here - Richie VanBost. I could not have asked for a better person for me to learn from as far as work ethic and just learning how to get along.
Richie has been that constant positive force to see day in and day out. He also exemplifies our culture of family first and work second. I cannot tell you the joy I feel when Richie shares something about his wonderful wife and their kids. You just know he has a heart of gold, and they are his happy place. But he treats his second priority with very little difference, whatever needs to get done Richie does it. If there was something a customer needed back in the day, I cannot recall a situation where Richie let them down.
If I were starting a business today, I would look for a lot of Richie’s to fill the ranks because I know that they would humbly and without fanfare drive the company to success.”
Normand Chevrette, CEO CME Corp.
Would you describe some of your most memorable moments?
Despite sixty years of memories in his mental archives Richie did not hesitate when asked to share one or two of his most memorable experiences.
“The blizzard of ’78, that was memorable. We were in the office 24/7 so we could make all our deliveries. We slept on the tops of exam tables. You need to remember this happened before cell phones so when the power went out, we could not talk to anyone either.
Then there was the Christmas Eve my good friend Roger Iannetta (a long time CME account manager) called me after hours for help making a delivery to the hospital. We did it.”
What is your philosophy on what it takes to be successful over the long term?
“Enjoy your job. Give your best, you get back what you give.”
Richie has modeled and walked out this philosophy every day of his career.
“During my 32+ years with the company Richie has set a simple but important example for me of how to approach one’s life and work - be consistent and reliable. For 60 years Richie has done just that.”
Eric Robinson, Executive Vice President, Operations
CME has been Richie’s life since he was 21 years old, and he says he has never looked back with any regret. “They have made my life the way it is today.”
Today Richie still works several hours every day. He will proudly tell you that all five of his children have worked for CME at various times and that his oldest is still with the company.
“Richie is truly just one of a kind and I look forward to continue working alongside him for as long as time allows.”
Normand Chevrette
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier source for healthcare equipment, layout and design, turnkey logistics, delivery, installation, and biomedical services. We represent 2 million+ products from more than 2,000 manufacturers. With offices and warehousing coast to coast, our mission is to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment specification, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate and expand on schedule.