Working at Modality
Meet Evert
Evert Reflects: 15 Years of Growth, Innovation and Grey Hair at Modality
After some slight pressure on our part, we finally managed to persuade Managing Director Evert to sit down for an interview. In this article, he shares tiny bits of personal information, discusses the days before his grey locks made their appearance and shares some quite unexpected hobbies.
A green start, a golden sequel
Our interview takes place exactly around the time that Evert celebrates his 15th anniversary with Modality. A great opportunity for reflection. Evert's CV starts at the flower auction in Aalsmeer. Whilst studying Systems Engineering, Policy Analysis and Management, he chooses to specialise in logistics and successfully completes his internship at the auction. He stays on after his graduation and soon becomes project leader and, after that, ‘Houseplant Supervisor'. He is still responsible for our houseplants at Modality, albeit in a far less involved capacity. Shortly after that, Evert moves away from plants and switches to ECT. More or less by chance, he ends up in the ICT department there. His responsibilities include supervising projects for the hinterland terminals of ECT and this is how he first comes across Modality. It is not before long that Evert’s capabilities catch the attention of Jan, who tries to entice him to become his right-hand man. However, Evert is about to take on a new position and politely declines. Ultimately, he recognises the appeal and potential of working at a smaller organisation though and he makes the switch to Modality - now more than 15 years ago. In addition to supervising houseplants and getting Jan his coffee, Evert supports just about every aspect imaginable. From HR to fleet management, from finance to project management. The latter responsibility is by far the most demanding, but it also offers him a great degree of satisfaction.
Evert:
"My absolute favourite thing is when we are able to develop a working solution for a logistics challenge. I just love it when a customer is fully satisfied and uses our solution to help them achieve outstanding results."
Wild waters, deep impression
When asked about his highlights of the past 15 years, Evert is especially proud of the further professionalisation that Modality has been through; particularly the development of the web applications and the relocation to the new premises. There have been some wonderful highlights in his personal life as well; the birth of his two sons was easily the most impactful event in that respect. Logically, he prefers to spend his free time with his family. In addition to quality family time, Evert also engages in activities that are quite unexpected. At the office, he takes great care to cultivate his image as someone who ‘would rather watch sports than work up a sweat himself’. However, this reputation has proved far from accurate and he is more adventurous than most people think. For example, Evert is actually a very passionate practitioner of winter and water sports. During the summer, he heads out on the water for windsurfing and water skiing. He also used to be a keen motorcyclist. As long as it moves fast and is outdoors, Evert seems to be up for it. We do suspect though that all those hours out in the sun have caused his blond hair to take on a somewhat silvery glow. Ask Evert though and he will stubbornly maintain that his change in appearance is mainly due to his job at Modality - particularly his close cooperation with Jan!
