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Tracking People for a Living
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Life as a Government Special Investigator
If you’ve ever been in charge of hiring new employees, or have applied for a new position yourself, you’ve no doubt dealt with calling up old bosses for references, filled out seemingly endless paperwork and perhaps even gone through a background check. But when the job you’re hiring or applying for deals with government security, the stakes are even higher. The process requires an in-depth investigation and the help of an expert who knows what red flags to look for as well as where to find them. Sioux Falls resident Rod Green, a former Special Investigator for the U.S. government, is one man whom the government trusted to do just that.
When he left the military at age 51 after 32 years of service, Green needed to find other work that fit his unique qualifications, which included working with military personnel and being responsible for areas of security clearances, Congressional Investigations and Line-of-Duty Injury investigations. So when his wife saw an ad in a Rapid City newspaper for a Field Investigator, Green knew it would be a perfect fit. “I was given two interviews and offered a position,” says Green. “I had to attend training for three weeks and then spend two weeks with my trainer before being turned out on my own.” Even with the lengthy training process and the supervised reports, he was able to earn the trust of his superiors and find his niche in background investigations.
Green’s new position meant his life consisted of conversations. He had to scrutinize every detail of a person’s life in order to look for signs of corruption. “What you are looking for is anything in their background or personal conduct that would make the individual susceptible to blackmail or coercion,” Green explains.
He tracked down employers, co-workers, neighbors, landlords, teachers, fellow students, roommates, ex-spouses and social contacts of the individuals he was investigating. He would research bankruptcy records, financial records, education records, employment records, law enforcement/court records of potential employees of any and all government organizations, from NASA to the Bureau of Indian Affairs—all in the name of security.
Interestingly, Green also notes that someone’s past can be a clue to their behavior.
“History has shown that most individuals that get caught for espionage had financial or marital problems,” says Green. So you won’t find a lot of people who have filed for bankruptcy on board Air Force One.
As you might guess, the life of a government Special Investigator involves traveling and access to some pretty amazing places. For Green, one of the most interesting places was a nuclear weapons research and development facility in Virginia. The facility did not take security lightly, says Green. “This place was guarded by personnel in SWAT type gear!” he explains. “I had to be escorted everywhere.” Green was given a briefing on the security operations of the facility. As you might have guessed, he is not at liberty to divulge the details of these security operations!
It’s easy to see that the job of a field investigator is serious business. Uncovering dirt that may corrupt the fiber of the inner workings in various government operations has serious implications. Green does, however, have good news to report about many of the people he investigated within the armed forces. “I was continually impressed by the quality and caliber of the young people I was investigating and interviewing,” he notes. It was their patriotism and work ethic that impressed Green the most.
And while the next job you apply for probably won’t require your new boss to interview all your Exes, Green’s praise carries an important message for all businesspeople. Because no matter what field you’re working in—whether it’s nuclear weaponry or sales and marketing—a good work ethic is always an asset.
Get Serious About Spring Cleaning
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Tips from an Expert
Spring is here. Even though this year in Sioux Falls it came right after fall, it still represents a time of renewal and—you guessed it—cleaning. Spring is the perfect time to get serious about refreshing your ducts, vents, carpets and floors in your office and in your home.
“Spring cleaning is very important because all the snow, sand, salt and other dirt has been tracked into our homes and businesses,” says Ryan Van Donge, owner of Best Choice Carpet Cleaning in Sioux Falls. “That dirt in the carpet is hard on the fibers and if left in there, it can break down the carpet fibers, and then your carpet will wear out fast.”
Ryan Van Donge has owned Best Choice Carpet Cleaning in Sioux Falls since 2006. As a cleaning service, Von Donge can attest to the importance of cleaning in general.
And while a thorough spring cleaning is important, don’t skip the regular cleanings either, advises Von Donge. “Normal dirt, dust, bacteria, and grime will be tracked into the carpet no matter how much you clean… If you do regular cleanings, you’re able to prolong the life of your carpet.” That translates to money saved, something every savvy business owner finds important.
Best Choice Carpet Cleaning specializes in residential and commercial carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, tile stripping and waxing, upholstery, area rugs, vinyl floors and dryer vent cleaning.
Why is dryer vent cleaning important? There are over 15,600 house fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries annually from dryer vents starting on fire, according to their web site. They recommend vents be professionally cleaned every year.
Loving Where You Work… Literally!
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Working with anyone can be everything from pleasant, productive and rewarding to divisive, frustrating and downright difficult. But what happens when you work with your spouse and there is no escape? Meet Tim and Amy Hoback, married for the last 17 years and owners of Kleenrite Company in Sioux Falls. They are “shining” (pardon the cleaning pun) examples on having the emotional discipline to blend their work and personal life successfully.
Snuggled up in a booth at local coffee shop, Tim laughs and says, “Amy is the promise-maker and I’m the promise-keeper!” After buying the business in 2008, the Hobacks share that the key to their success has been having clearly defined roles. The best life/work partners are ones who have different skills, temperaments and operating styles that, when combined, make for a stronger skill set than either partner has alone. “This allows us to work with our own strengths,” says Amy. “Tim is a master at operations – he’s always strategizing on how to do things in the most effective and efficient manner! As for me, I love people, so sales comes naturally!”
Both echo that communication in any relationship is essential. “If you’re married and thinking about starting a business together, if you don’t have effective, clear communication now, just hang it up immediately and don’t even try!” says Tim. He shares that it was the strong foundation of their marriage that helped them through the difficult times in their business. “Every time we resolved a conflict or challenge, it made our marriage even stronger!”
How do they keep the romance alive when they’re together all the time? The Hoback’s secret is speaking each other’s love language! In his best-selling book, The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman talks about learning to love your significant other the way they need to be loved, not how you think they should be loved. For Amy that means gifts. For Tim, that means quality time and holding hands, close proximity and kisses. “At the end of the day, I truly love him. He’s my husband, my business partner and my best friend!”
The close proximity driven by work can bring family members closer together in satisfying relationships, but it can also create pressures that foster hard feelings and drive people apart. Success depends on the personalities of the individuals involved, their understanding of their roles and their willingness to accept them. In the commercial cleaning business, everything happens after 5 pm. The Hobacks not only run a thriving cleaning business with 25 employees, but they also run a flourishing household with four children ranging in age from seven to 14. “Since our office is at home, we get to teach our kids the importance of responsibility, work ethic, being a good leader and role model by the very nature of how we conduct our business,” says Amy.
A “copreneur” is defined as a couple who is in business together. While there are definite challenges to working with your spouse, there are also great rewards – you can have a successful and happy business and marriage.
Tips for Couples in Business:
1. Have a business plan
2. Have clearly defined responsibilities
3. Know your communication styles
4. Be organized and schedule regular meetings
5. Lose your ego
6. Find a successful mentor
Insight from a Fortune 100 Exec with SD roots (and he still wears his cowboy boots!)
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SD Native and Global Business Expert Jeff Hayzlett talked with BizNOW about the tough choices in business – how to adapt to survive. Hayzlett has been featured on MSNBC’s Your Business, Fox Business News and NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump. His new book comes out this month: Running the Gauntlet: Essential Business Lessons to Lead, Drive Change, Change, and Grow Profits.
1. How can a company tell if it’s time for a makeover?
Sometimes the best place to start is to look within. Rather than stepping back and looking at what everyone else is doing (right or wrong), look at yourself and ask what are you doing to effect change? What is your attitude towards the business? A “change agent” with a great attitude about themselves and their business will infect their company in the same way – to make sure that other emotions and problems are not getting in the way of making great decisions for their company. The business environment is changing, and you must adapt to survive.
2. Advice for people who are hesitant to make big changes in their business?
Fear stops most people. Get past your fear. Act with confidence and be willing to be a beginner. Truth is, I wasn’t always a cowboy. When I was in my thirties, I learned how to saddle my first horse from a 14-year-old girl. She had the experience and I was willing to look, listen, and learn from her and be a beginner. Today, no horse scares me enough to stop me from climbing aboard. But with every new horse, I still take the time to look, listen, and learn, because while it is hardly my first time riding, it is my first time on that ride. I don’t want to make a dumb mistake assuming I know more than I do. The most easygoing of these magnificent animals could throw me from the saddle at any time no matter how prepared I am.
Being willing to be a beginner is how you get past your “three seconds of fear.” Three seconds: that’s the difference between doing something and not.
3. How have your South Dakota roots helped you succeed in business?
Growing up in South Dakota, I learned early on that to succeed, I needed to have a strong sense of community, be transparent and trustworthy, and be willing to roll up my sleeves and get dirty. South Dakota has always been a very business-friendly state. Most people don’t know that SD has more CEOs than any other state per capita. (Farmers are CEOs, you know?)
4. Let’s talk about brand. How important is image to a business?
I always say a brand is a promise delivered. How are you selling your products or services, and how are you selling your business? If you’re selling the fastest, coolest, sleekest product or service, the image needs to be reflected as such.
5. What’s the story behind the cowboy boots? Do you really wear them every day?
Yes, I really do. Image is important, and boots are part of my personal brand. When people see my cowboy boots, they see the real me.
6. Favorite thing about BizNOW magazine?
I appreciate how BizNOW connects local businesses to local readers!
From Sioux Falls to Hollywood….
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Mary Yungeberg, Sioux Falls, author of Consummate Betrayal, tells Biz readers of her decision to Makeover her Goals and Follow her Passion.
How can a person get re-inspired? How do you find your dreams if they’ve been abandoned or you’ve had disappointments in the past?
In order to get inspired or re-inspired, a person has to be open-minded and willing to change their attitude. Disappointments and unfulfilled dreams haunt all of us. It all boils down to one word: ATTITUDE.
Give me a 3-sentence description of your book.
Consummate Betrayal chronicles the frightening journey of a fiercely honorable man pursued by relentless evil. It is a most un-girlie love story set against the backdrop of an insidious, long-time-in-the-making terror plot. The terror plot is real and has been occurring in our country for decades.
How did you get the idea for the book?
I used to work for an airline, and I’ve always been interested in airline security and terrorism, especially after 9-11. Initially, the story was going to be about terrorists operating from regional airports, with a young FBI agent of Middle Eastern descent infiltrating and foiling their plans.
How were you able to write such a convincing character, when he’s so different from you?
I have 4 older brothers, have raised 2 sons, been married to the same man for almost 29 years and have always worked in industries dominated by men. Basically, I understand how they think.
You learned to shoot a gun in order to understand the lead character better. Tell us about that.
When I started writing the book and realized the protagonist would be involved in shooting, I didn’t think I could write accurately if I didn’t know how to shoot a gun. So I went to the range to learn. That was fun, and then my husband and I went to a gun show on Valentine’s Day. I picked up and held a bunch of different guns, but when I picked up a Glock 22 – which is a full size, 40 caliber pistol, and is one of the guns FBI agents carry – I knew it was just right. It felt great in my hands! It has been…pardon the pun…an absolute blast to shoot with!
I love Glocks because they are simple. All I have to remember is to keep my finger off the trigger. PERIOD. And I love shooting. It’s a great, cathartic experience. I always leave feeling refreshed and empowered.
Can you hold your own against any man at a shooting range?
That makes me chuckle. As far as my guy friends, yep I can definitely hold my own. I think that’s because I dry practice a lot. I have a room in the basement of our house and spend about 15 minutes, 4-5 times a week practicing – with no ammo, of course!
A Secret Service agent revealed stories to you for background for this book. How do you get the Secret Service to talk?
It really wasn’t so much about getting him to reveal his stories, as it was enjoyable for him to share because they are entertaining. He helped me understand that I had written a couple scenes completely incorrectly, and why. He’s a great guy and we became friends.
How did you get your book published?
I published the book myself, using Sanders Printing Co. in Garretson. I wanted to keep the money in South Dakota.
Tell me about the Hollywood connection. What’s ahead?
The Hollywood connection has been like a miracle. Like most everyone who writes a book, I could always imagine the movie! When I began writing, I wanted a picture in my mind of the hero, and had decided he would be an Iranian-American FBI agent.
So I did a Google search, hoping to find an Iranian-American actor. When I found Nicholas Guilak’s website, I knew that he was the perfect model for the hero!
Even though I knew it was probably a long-shot, I decided to ask him if he would portray the book’s hero on the cover. I doubted he would even respond. But he emailed right back and said he was flattered, and asked to read the manuscript! I sent him a copy and he said he LOVED the story! He said he thought the book would make a great feature film, and that he would like to pursue that! He is doing that now.
Writers are quirky. Quirkiest thing about you?
I would pay good money to be a total recluse. If I never had to meet another person, I would be a happy camper. Maybe that comes from 8 years of greeting airline passengers in every possible frame of mind…
If given the chance, what would you do differently?
I wasted countless hours, agonizing over whether what I was writing was any good. After Mr. Guilak wrote back saying he absolutely loved the book, I spent the better part of a week convincing myself that it could really be true! I have finally gotten past that, so I feel much more freedom while working on the sequel.
What are 4 tips you have for people who want to write thrillers?
First, take the time to create characters that people can fall in love with and care about. Create background for them. Second, the story must be a believable scenario. Third, choose to use whatever critique you get, whether it is excellent and well-intentioned or destructive and mean-spirited. Some ugly things I was told became motivation to prove the naysayers wrong, and ended up being the impetus for a much better story. Finally, accept the possibility that miracles can happen.