After running a successful local truck and van accessory shop for three years, Kelly Jensen joined Shaffer Communications to help owner Paul Babl build the commercial equipment side of their business in 2001. He is now the General Manager of Shaffer’s, which has been serving the local two-way radio industry for over 40 years and is based in Lincoln. Shaffer’s is considered the one-stop shop for commercial contractors along with local, state and federal agencies. Shaffer’s offers two-way radio sales and service, truck and van commercial equipment, GPS tracking, safety lighting and satellite phones.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I am most proud of the being able to bring the GPS product line to our business and starting the customer base from the ground up.
Tell us a little about your family.
I am a single father of two wonderful children. Alyssa is 18 and is starting SECC this fall and my son Christopher is 15 and just started at Elmwood/Murdock High School. I can’t say enough about how wonderful they have been and how proud I am of who they are becoming.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
I believe that one of my biggest turning points in my life was the building of my first home in Elmwood. It has taught me a great deal about what my customers deal with on a daily basis with weather, job site security, labor and most importantly, time management.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
My favorite thing to do on a single day off is to ride my motorcycle. I love day trips around the small towns in Nebraska.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I am an avid auction spectator and occasionally bidder. I love to listen to auctioneers take the bids and sell items. It is a reminder to me of the old auctioneers that used to dj square dancing when I was young and watching my parents and grandparents dancing at the old high school gyms.
What are you the most proud of?
Simple answer…my kids.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Paul Babl has been my best mentor and his advice to me has been simply to just listen. I agree that if you don’t listen to your customers, co-workers, friends or family that you will never find out how to achieve your objectives.
What is the one goal you would most like to accomplish?
To one day be the owner of Shaffer Communications.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Mind reading would be very interesting.
What are your plans after retirement?
I would like to have a second home in a coastal state which would allow me to travel from Nebraska to there regularly.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
I am a talented craftsman and being in management/sales,that just does not get utilized.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be a better singer or instrument player.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The Bible
What is your favorite movie?
Wyatt Earp
What is your favorite TV show?
Two and a Half Men
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Subway
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Al Capone
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
They can reach me via email at Kelly@shaffercomm.com or visit our company website at www.shaffercomm.com.