Metal Detecting Companies Run By A Finance Guru

[maxxkatt]

this has always been my strong belief. When a great metal detecting company loses its founder and is replaced by a financial person. Apple tried it with a CEO from  pepsi john sculley who was a consumer brand wizard or Microsoft elevated steve balmer to CEO who was another consumer branding guru.

I think the same fate has hit garrett with the current ceo. Zero experience in metal detector design. I wonder if he has ever gone metal detecting in the wild.

 

 

[Steve Herschbach]

Frankly, you have no idea what you are talking about. I just spent two weeks detecting with Steve Novakovich in Australia. Last I looked Tesoro, White's, and initially Garrett, were taken over by the "kids", all of whom presumably had metal detecting experience. But sucked at business, so now the first two companies are are gone. Luckily Garrett is not making the same mistake. If you want somebody to go detecting with, find somebody that knows detectors. If you want to run a business, get somebody that knows how to run a business. You know, like Peter Charlesworth, the guy that runs the most successful detector company in the world, and who probably thinks metal detecting is dull as dirt. They hire the people that know detectors, while making sure the company is run properly.

Steve is not a "financial person" - he is an engineer.

"Steve Novakovich joined Garrett Metal Detectors in January 2018. Before coming to Garrett, Steve worked as an engineer in the oil and gas industry at Exxon Company USA, and worked in manufacturing operations and as a division controller at Texas Instruments. He has also served as the Director of Finance for Texas Air Composites, an aerospace MRO service provider, and most recently served as President and CEO of Graco Supply Company, an aerospace chemical distributor.

Steve earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Economics in 1989 from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management as a fellow in the Leaders for Manufacturing program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge Massachusetts in 1994."

Long story short, I've spent many hours with Steve, and my read on him was the sole reason I agreed to get on board with the Axiom project. Great guy and was fun getting to detect with him, and see him find his first gold nuggets with the Axiom.

Steve Novakovich with Garrett Axiom at site where Hand of faith was found

Group photo, left to right, Henry, Steve M, Steve H, Steve N, Reece, Colleen, Warren, and Franklin

[GB_Amateur]

17 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Frankly, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Once again we're all reminded that detectorprospector.com isn't your typical social media site.  You can ask questions and even express doubt in an idea, but when you come on strong with a statement you'd better have the evidence to back it up.  (And don't dare get political....)  Two of many reasons I really like coming here.  Thanks, Steve.

[Steve Herschbach]

Well, actually that was a bit strong, and so I apologize to maxxkatt. I get where he is coming from and it's not always wrong. But I know Steve N personally, and went into "sticking up for a friend" mode. He really is a great guy, and we are lucky to have him at the helm at Garrett. It takes years to see results, and the Axiom is the first real project to develop out of Steve's tenure. It will not be the last. You are about to see the new Garrett in more ways than one.

[maxxkatt]

I just looked up him on linkedin. obviously not enough info to make this post about Steve. I apologize to Steve and anyone who knows a lot more about him than I do.

 

 

[GB_Amateur]

25 minutes ago, Steve Herschbach said:

Well, actually that was a bit strong, and so I apologize to maxxkatt.

OK, your first sentence (the one I quoted) could have been softer.  The rest of it was spot on.  Glad you are self-monitoring/correcting -- another reason that sets this site above others.  In the current world it seems stating things without evidence (often without a smidgen of research/invtestigation) is common practice.  Does this proliferation of poor practice mean someone who does deserves a pass?  Is it only a problem for important topics (safety, health, equality, liberties, future of the planet)?  Everyone should answer for him/herself.  I certainly have mine....

[delnorter]

What a great group picture.

Mike

[phrunt]

I wouldn't want Garrett run by a hard core metal detector user, we are a weird bunch, bordering on completely nutty.  We spend countless hours swinging a beeping stick hoping to find treasure, often spending far more on our equipment than we will ever find in "treasure".   Many of us including and especially myself build up a collection of metal detectors we are unlikely to ever use, that's not good business acumen.

I'd prefer it be run by someone far more sensible, using the product extensively isn't even remotely necessary to doing a good job running a business, having a good set of ears and listening to customers and staff can do far more for success than using the products personally.  Garrett to me seems to be on the right path and well on their way to becoming a brand we all want in our collections, and not for the role of dust collectors in the cupboard.

[Steve Herschbach]

2 hours ago, delnorter said:

What a great group picture.

Mike

Of a great group…. 

[Jeff McClendon]

This is why I visit this site often during my day. I always find something interesting to read even when I may find the topic more akin to raw opinions or click bait than actually being based on facts. 

Keeping it as real as possible is what I respect the most even when things like detecting in general and differing opinions about different detectors are subject to plenty of subjectivity and site specific conditions. 

Even when there appears to only be the same old nuts and bolts stuff (especially from me) to read here and debate about, there is also a wealth of solid knowledge in most of these decade of old posts.

Thanks for setting this straight from your perspective Steve H and maxxkatt, thanks for giving Steve H that opportunity.