Shine with Your Own Light: An Ingersoll Rand Employee Spotlight

We’re featuring monthly interviews with IR employees across the globe that demonstrate Ingersoll Rand’s values at work. This month, on the observance of Veterans Day, Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, we are highlighting Jon Vanderpool, global pricing leader and proud veteran.

In a military career, training and education are continuous. Can you tell us about your military experience? 
I joined the U.S. Army in 1988 and remained on active duty until 1991 with the Second Armor Division. I deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm with the First Marine Division. I was proud to earn Battalion, Brigade, Division and Corps Soldier of the Quarter in 1989. Following active duty, I joined the Pennsylvania National Guard, serving from 1991 to 1998. 


Are there other military personnel in your family? 
My brother and sister-in-law also chose military careers and retired from the United States Air Force after 21 years of service.

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During his time with Ingersoll Rand, Jon has consistently demonstrated an ownership mindset and a bias for action and resiliency in the face of setbacks. These are requirements for leadership in the military and fulfill many of our values at Ingersoll Rand. Clearly, his military experience has prepared him for his roles at Ingersoll Rand. 


You’ve been with IR for quite some time. Tell us about your history with the company. 
Some may be surprised to learn that I represent the third generation of Vanderpools who have worked for Ingersoll Rand. Together, we have given IR over 75 years of nearly continuous service.  

I’ve been with Ingersoll Rand for over 25 years. Before joining the Army, I worked for IR as a high school co-op in 1987 and 1988. After the Army, I worked at IR as a machinist at night, while going to college at Mountain State University in Beckley, West Virginia where I earned a bachelor’s of science degree in organizational leadership.   
Following graduation, I joined Ingersoll Rand as a draftsman for the tools business. From there, my career spanned roles such as a technical support specialist, branding/buyout engineer, Six Sigma Black Belt, global program manager, customer service manager, sales order management leader, demand planning leader, sales inventory operations planning leader and global pricing leader.  

As a veteran, can you explain why being a part of a veterans’ employee group is important? 
I want to help men and women who have served their country. I think it’s important that IR is a veteran-friendly company, a place where veterans feel they belong when they come off active duty. 

We all know work/life balance is essential. As you balance your work life with your personal life, what do you do during your downtime? 
I have been married since 2002 to my wife, Nancy. We have two children, Ryan, who is 14, and Lauren, who is 12. During my free time, you will usually find me coaching one of their baseball or softball teams.

We are deeply grateful.
This month, we at Ingersoll Rand want to say “thank you” to Jon Vanderpool and to all veterans, everywhere—with special appreciation for those employees of Ingersoll Rand who have served in the military to protect our country. They have made the ultimate commitment and demonstrated the highest level of loyalty, courage and strength. We are grateful for their service every day.