Tag: Giving Back

It’s Just the Right Thing to Do

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Randy Caltrider is a man who cares about his employees. The president and owner of America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) is known for meeting and greeting every new staff member personally. What he’s lesser known for (outside of the company at least) are the lengths he goes to make sure this family—yes, family—is taken care of.

“Why God picked me I have no idea. All I know is I care about my people, and treat them like I want to be treated,” Randy said. “Family Fest is a way for us to show our employees and family members how much we care about them.”

APHW’s annual Family Fest involves the employees voting on a place to go, and Randy covering the cost of the visit for them and their immediate family members, along with customized shirts to commemorate the event.

This tradition has been in place for quite a while. “I remember the first one we had,” Randy said. “We had like five people, hamburgers and hotdogs in a park in Michigan.” APHW now has over 130 employees across the nation, most of whom work at the corporate headquarters in Jackson, Michigan—and Family Fest is as strong as ever.

According to APHW Marketing Manager Jeff Fett who organizes this event every year, APHW currently has 278 employees and family members attending this year’s trip to Mackinac Island, “…which is our largest Family Fest yet,” he said. The previous year had 256.

“The number one most important thing is our employees, and their ability to make our company great,” Randy said. “And they’ve done that. Everybody’s got a place and a responsibility, and they all do it very well and with a great attitude. Who would we be to not give back? So, this is a really big deal to me.”

Business minded individuals might question if this is all worth the cost. According to Randy, the evidence is in the people. “This isn’t about what it costs. All you’ve got to do is be there during lunch to watch the families, the joy and happiness,” Randy said. “They’re laughing and having fun.”

In the end, Randy just wants to be able to give back to his family. “I love people and I especially love my employees,” Randy said. “I’ve got this philosophy—I don’t own all of it anyhow. The employees are the ones that put us on the map, who do the hard tasks to get us ahead as a corporation in this world. They put their heart and soul into what they do, and they make us one of the greatest companies in America today.”

“Family Fest is about the ability to give back to them,” Randy said. “I want them to know we care.”

And they do.

God Has Blessed Us—So We Give Back

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

For those who receive much, much is expected in return. Luke 12:48

Randy Caltrider was 52 before he decided to look for a company of his own. America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) caught his interest, and he met with then-owner Doris Anderson.

“I rode with her for a few days and visited her customers,” Randy said, learning how she had beaten cancer through her Christian faith. At the time, the price she quoted for the business was more than Randy could afford, so he had to step away from the deal—but the friendship remained.

“Unbeknownst to me,” Randy said, “her cancer had come back.” One day over lunch she told him she had to go get checked out, and they prayed together. Almost seven months later, Randy received a call from her husband, saying she had passed.

Cancer has been a very ugly thing for all of Randy’s life. He lost his mother to it in the 4th grade, and many others over the years. His stepdaughter Crystal was only recently cleared of stage 4 breast cancer. So, he understood how Mr. Anderson felt. “He couldn’t set foot in the office anymore… she was his soulmate,” Randy said. Doris had spoken highly of Randy to her husband, however, and Mr. Anderson knew she would prefer APHW go to someone who would keep it in Jackson, Michigan. “He said if I came to meet with him, he’d make me a deal I couldn’t resist. I thought to myself, this must be a God thing,” Randy said.

APHW had a rough first year after Randy took over. “By February I was in trouble,” he said. “We did a lot of hours on our knees, praying.” In an effort to improve the situation he expanded into Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina. As a result of that expansion, revenue tripled, and the company hasn’t stopped growing since.

“The Lord has really blessed us beyond measure. Even through the tough times we’ve experienced growth. People would ask me why, and I would say, ‘God Economics,’” Randy said, referring to the Bible verse Luke 12:48. “That’s why we’re able to give, and we give in a mighty way to cancer.”

APHW gives thousands every year to a variety of cancer charities, including the Relay for Life. Over the last 12 months the staff has raised nearly $14,000 for the relay through various events and raffles at the corporate office. With Randy’s contribution, the final amount will top over $41,000 at this year’s relay in Jackson, Michigan.

“It’s all about being able to help and give back to the community, for those people that can’t afford doctors,” Randy said. “I’m finally in a position where I can make a difference, and there’s a lot of people in this world that don’t have insurance or the ability to be involved with a good hospital. A lot of the dollars we give go toward that.”

“I’ve lost a lot of people in my life to cancer, so I have a burning desire to do everything we can to get rid of it. I get really excited when we as a corporation work so hard to raise the dollars we do. It takes a lot of organization and hard work—just thinking about what they give, it just amazes me,” Randy said. “We’ve got a great bunch of employees at APHW who have a heart to help other people,” he said. “And it’s an honor to serve them.”

Click here to learn more or get involved with the Relay for Life.