Published: April 04, 2022
Published: April 04, 2022
Behind the Paints with Chris Young
As a delivery supervisor for 21 of PPG’s Architectural Coatings (AC) stores in Houston, Texas, Chris Young is constantly on the move, managing customer deliveries and coordinating store-to-store product transfers across one of our largest markets in the United States. It's a position he values and takes pride in, especially after an unexpected medical crisis nearly ended his career – and his life.
Chris began his career with PPG as a sales associate in a Houston store. His attention to detail and commitment to customer service quickly led to several promotions, including store manager at a busy PPG retail site. After he suffered a severe heart attack and later lost one of his legs related to complications from the emergency, Chris was at a crossroads: He could receive long-term disability for the rest of his life or return to work. For him, the choice was clear and he was back on the job as soon as his medical team approved it.
It wasn't always easy, It took me two years to recover before I could return to work. But I was focused on achieving my goals, personally and professionally. My family was incredible and my colleagues never let me forget I was part of the team.
When Chris received the green light to return to work, he began serving as an assistant manager at store #9677 Ship Channel in Houston, PPG's busiest store in the nation at the time. It was a high-activity position that gave him new confidence to pursue additional challenges. He soon applied for the position of delivery supervisor and earned the job.
He's become even more valuable to PPG in this role, doing everything he can to get our deliveries out on time so that contractors and painters can keep their projects running on schedule.
Brian Kettler, zone operations manager, AC, United States and Canada.
His commitment to his job in the face of adversity isn't the only thing that makes him stand out. According to Kettler, the married father of four is always one of the first people to step up to help a team member. Since his return to work, Chris has led efforts to raise funds to support a colleague who unexpectedly lost his child, organized meals for a co-worker whose wife was undergoing cancer treatment, and volunteered to provide delivery system training to colleagues across the United States.
When I see a need, I want to help. I'm lucky to have a strong network of people across PPG that work together to make things happen. It's a great feeling to know you're making a difference.