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kevin monroe
assuming other communications positions in Orlando, Florida. Then, in 2013, Kevin landed at Cox Communications, where he now leads a team of up to 190 employees in the Central Florida market, which spans across Gainesville and Ocala. Kevin’s career as an entrepreneur spans nearly 22 years, and one of the most important strategies of success that he carries with him each day is something that the founder of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher, told him: “Take your job seriously. But don’t take yourself so seriously.” Kevin has learned that incorporating
Kevin monroe Story by: Alanis Thames
he move back to Chicago as the assistant manager for the Chicago
Kevin Monroe’s road to becoming a
Reservation Center with Southwest,
successful businessman has taken
then back to Texas (San Antonio) to
him all over the country. The Market
serve as an assistant manager of a
Vice President of Central Florida
larger reservation center. Then back
Operations at Cox Communications
to Chicago. Although many people
grew up in Rantoul, Illinois, where
would hesitate to move back and
he stayed until after high school,
forth to so many different cities,
and he attended Devry Institute of
Kevin embraced the challenge and
Technology in Chicago, Illinois, soon
took advantage of the opportunities
after. There, he studied computer
presented to him. “Each time, I
science and computer programming.
moved for promotional purposes,”
He went on to secure a position as
Kevin said. “Larger jobs, larger
a reservation agent with Southwest
responsibilities.”
Airlines in Houston, Texas, and he received a promotion to a supervising
Much larger responsibilities
position at the Houston Reservation
arrived when Kevin joined a
Center for Southwest. “From there,
telecommunications company
I was just building on my career,”
called Ameritech in Milwaukee,
Kevin said.
Wisconsin. He served as the regional manager for small business services
Building his career required that
for the state of Wisconsin before
fun into what he does is essential, and he has also learned that success comes from how you treat people, especially those who work for you. “Treat your employees with respect,” he said. “Treat them with dignity, and treat them as if you work for them. If you keep that in mind, you will be successful.” Respecting his employees has propelled Kevin to success as a member of the Cox team. But the successful entrepreneur has faced difficulties throughout his career, and these situations have taught him the importance of patience. “The main thing that I’ve tried to espouse is that you need to be grounded,” he said. “You need to make sure that you assess the situation. Don’t get too excited. Look at things for what they are, and try to see your way through.” Kevin credits the Gainesville community for helping him along the way. “Gainesville is a tremendous place to live, work, and play,” Kevin said. “I think that great opportunities exist for those who seek them.”
