Greg Herbert | Director of Operations
J2 Resources has spent the last several years growing fast, and staying ahead of that growth takes more than momentum — it takes people who can build the operational foundation to match it. That’s the role Greg Herbert stepped into as Director of Operations, and he’d been watching J2 build toward this moment for years in advance.
An Easy Yes, Years in the Making
Greg’s path to J2 started with a simple phone call. He’d known the founders for a long time, and he’d been watching J2 from the outside since the beginning: the early wins, the steady growth, the reputation the company was building in the industry.
“I witnessed the birth of J2, heard about its early successes, and watched the company develop and grow. As J2 expanded, it became a lightning rod in the industry, attracting talented people from across a variety of disciplines. It was clear they were building something special, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
By the time the opportunity came, it was an easy “yes” for Greg.
Keeping Pace with J2’s Growth
As Director of Operations, Greg’s job is to make sure the operational side of J2 can carry the weight of where the company is headed.
That breaks down into a few priorities:
- building out the right team, equipment, and facilities to scale with the business
- expanding J2’s footprint beyond Houston
- reinforcing the Mill Direct approach across how the company buys, stores, services, and sells
“My role is focused on building and leading the operational foundation that supports J2’s continued growth — ensuring our people, processes, equipment, and facilities are aligned to meet the needs of the business today while preparing for the opportunities ahead.”
Proof That “People First” Isn’t Just Talk
Ask Greg what he enjoys most about the job, and the answer isn’t the work itself — though he doesn’t shy away from how demanding it is.
“The people are amazing. Truly best in class. I enjoy working at a company where ideas and input are valued, and where your contributions have a meaningful impact.”
That’s also where he lands when asked which company value resonates most: People First.
“It’s easy for companies to say their people are important; it’s much harder to demonstrate it consistently. At J2, I’ve seen that commitment in action. Almost every week, there’s something happening to recognize an achievement, support someone during a difficult time, or simply express appreciation to an individual or team.”
Greg’s no stranger to that value. In 2002, he took a promotion in Chicago and brought along an intern to help build the business. When the economy turned, the two of them worked through a difficult stretch together. That intern went on to build a 20-year career in the industry, and just last year, he called Greg to say he’d started his own business.
“He credited our time together in Chicago with shaping his work ethic and giving him a strong foundation in the PVF industry. He thanked me for taking a chance on him and for providing him with an opportunity, an education, and a career. Hearing that had a greater impact on me than any award I’ve ever received.”
Scaling Fast Without Losing the Family Feel
Greg describes the J2 work environment in a run of adjectives as fast-paced as the work we do: collaborative, engaging, challenging, and rewarding. What results is a winning culture that’s held onto its family feel even as the company has scaled fast.
“What sets J2 apart is twofold. First, the company has assembled an all-star team of talented people who challenge each other to be better every day. Second, despite its rapid growth, J2 has maintained a family-oriented culture where people care about one another and celebrate each other’s successes.”
Outside the Office
Greg’s biggest interest outside of J2 is traveling with his wife — recent trips have taken them through Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico for hiking, new scenery, and time together. Last year, their son joined them on a trip to Grand Teton to continue the tradition, which Greg counts among the more meaningful travel memories he’s made.
It’s not a bad match for the person building J2’s next stage of growth: someone who thinks in terms of what gets handed down, not just what gets done today.