Working parents are a key part of the Heaven Hill team. These are some of the people who drive the company’s success each and every day and we couldn’t do it without them. In celebration of the upcoming Father’s Day holiday, we sat down with three Heaven Hill fathers to learn more about their families and how the company supports them as working parents.
Josh Eckhardt, Senior Human Resources Generalist
Josh is a father of two, Elijah (8 years old) and Luca (6 years old) and an instrumental part of our Production HR team. He loves to spend time with his kids outside hiking, kayaking, playing at the park during the spring, summer and fall, with the occasional video game sprinkled in. They love family movie nights and have dance parties year round and break out the sled in the winter time.
Tell us a bit about how you balance your professional and home life as a working dad.
It is tough knowing that you are missing out on chunks of their life during the week. When I am at home, I am present. On the weekends, my world typically revolves around entertaining the boys, it is nice to still be their everything, knowing that will not last forever. I utilize my vacation time to ensure that they have as many memories as possible, of spending time in new places, meeting new people and experiencing new things.
How does Heaven Hill support you being a working dad?
The flexibility to be there for all of their achievements and events, while truly having nights and weekends to recharge has been wonderful. This was one of the main reasons, I left my previous employer as the work never ended and it became burdensome on my family and ability to be there for even the special moments. During the height of the pandemic, I will never forget the flexibility that working from home gave me to keep things running, while my wife went into work. From NTI, to spending breaks in the action with my boys, it was an experience that I would not have had otherwise.
What is your favorite thing about being a dad?
This is hard to come up with my favorite thing… I would have to say, when the light bulb turns on and something clicks for them, it is so rewarding to see the growth and genuine excitement that comes with this.
What is the best advice you could offer for other working dads?
Do not wish time away. We all have grandiose plans for our kids and while it may be fun to look forward to the first time playing catch or what college they will attend. Every kid is different, and their interests may not be the same as what you had planned for them anyways. Learn about what makes them happy and don’t force things.
Michael Coccia, Regional Sales Manager
Michael is a father of two, Mac (Michael IV, 2.5 years old) and Mary Craig (1.5 years old), and serves as Heaven Hill’s Regional Sales Manager for Georgia and South Carolina. On a daily basis he loves to spend time with his kids playing with their dogs and enjoying the swing set. They spend Saturdays eating donuts on the tailgate and walking around the farmer’s market together and as the Georgia heat turns up they love swimming and picking strawberries.
Tell us a bit about how you balance your professional and home life as a working dad.
It’s imperative to prioritize the things that are important to you and in this instance, family is at the top of that list. Boundaries are essential and setting realistic expectations for your day is key. When local, I always try to either start the day by waking the kids up and getting their day going with breakfast. If morning is not an option, I like to be home to sit while they eat dinner, get ready for bed, and find a great bedtime story (Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site tends to be on repeat). Facetime is also amazing because even on the road, you can carve out time to see the family every day.
How does Heaven Hill support you being a working dad?
As a family owned and operated company, our leadership understands the importance of having a balance. There is a high level of respect when it comes to communication during office hours and an amazing level of flexibility when issues arise. This past year we spent several days in the hospital with Mary Craig due to a rare autoimmune disease; the message was clear that work could wait, take care of the family first. In a very stressful situation, that mindset put us at ease knowing that Heaven Hill had our back. With children as young as ours, I would be remiss not to mention the addition of paternity leave as an incredible benefit to give new dads a chance to be at home with the baby and help mom!
What is your favorite thing about being a dad?
The best thing about becoming a Dad was realizing I had another level of love that I did not know was there.
What is the best advice you could offer for other working dads?
No excuses, make the time and do the little things. Kids change every day and if you don’t slow down to soak it all in…it will all pass you by.
Will Rives, Chief Financial Officer
Will is a father of three to Klarer (5 years old), Anna (almost 3 years old), and Foster (1 year old), head of Heaven Hill’s finance department and part of the executive leadership team. He also loves spending time outside with his kids. Whether that be at home, at the lake, or at the zoo or park, they’re usually spending time outside. He says his daughters love digging in the dirt and finding worms or roly-polies and they’re into to all kinds of sports. He hopes to teach them his favorite game, golf, soon.
Tell us a bit about how you balance your professional and home life as a working dad.
It’s definitely hard, and has become harder since returning to the office on a more full-time basis. I can’t make it to every sporting event and I can’t be home for dinner every night, but I attend as many as I can and when I’m there I try to make sure I’m present. We love reading books together before bed and playing together on the weekends.
How does Heaven Hill support you being a working dad?
I think Heaven Hill provides me the flexibility to prioritize when I need to be where. I certainly can make it to many of the kids events and there are days I need to make sure I’m home for the family. Heaven Hill talks about being a family, and I think that means acknowledging that things happen in life, and we need to be flexible and understanding of other commitments outside the workplace. For me that may mean working at different hours to also make sure I’m getting what needs to be done at work.
What is your favorite thing about being a dad?
Two things come to mind immediately. First, seeing and watching them learn and grow. Their little minds just soak up so much information and it’s really fun to see them piece things together. Those moments when the light bulb goes off and they’ve figured out how to do something new are really neat. And along the way they will say the funniest things. Second, the unconditional love they have for me. When I walk through the door after a long day at work, they come running and screaming with excitement to see me. Those are special moments that I know, unfortunately, won’t last forever.
What is the best advice you could offer for other working dads?
Understand what’s important for you, your kids, your family and prioritize those things. You are responsible for setting your boundaries.
Thank you to Josh, Michael, Will and all of the amazing working dads at Heaven Hill!