In the February 2025 edition of our Employee Spotlight, we feature an interview with Tommy Myrick, AmSpec’s North America Director of Operations. Tommy shared insights from his 27-year career in the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) industry. He highlighted the unique, family-like culture at AmSpec and expressed his passion for helping others overcome work challenges, which inspired him to take on a larger role within the company. Mr. Myrick emphasized that operational efficiency is achieved through training and adapting to new technologies. He advocates for open communication, trust, and accountability within his diverse team. Tommy also stressed that fostering a culture of continuous improvement in his assigned region comes from setting clear expectations, providing training, and leading by example.
What is your role, and how many years have you been with AmSpec?
I was recently appointed as a Director of Operations for North America. I’ve been with AmSpec collectively for 14 years in various roles since December 2007, 27 years in the business.
What makes AmSpec unique compared to its competitors in the TIC industry?
I would say the culture and the employees’ dedication to the company. If you work for AmSpec, you are part of the family.
Can you briefly describe your professional background and experience in the testing and inspection industry? How did your prior experience help you in your current role?
It’s been a long journey. Over the years, I’ve held ten positions at AmSpec, progressing from inspector to my current role. At the core, I still consider myself an inspector by trade. The visibility I’ve had in the TIC businesses over the years, along with my understanding of the process that governs what we produce, has been invaluable.
What attracted you to the role of operations director in a testing and inspection company?
It’s pretty simple—helping people. One of the biggest satisfactions in my job is helping coworkers navigate issues and problems. There’s a sense of satisfaction of being able to help others who face the same issues and problems that I’ve had in the past. We transform issues into opportunities.
How do you prioritize tasks and manage resources to ensure operational efficiency in a fast-paced environment?
I’ve always said that organization is the key to success, and technology is the driver of organization. If you don’t adapt, you will be left behind. I believe that 100%. I leverage all the tools I have available, and I’m always happy to look at new tools I can add to my tool belt.
Prioritizing comes down to understanding the impact, what drives efficiency, mitigating risk, and delivering value. If you can tick all those boxes, the process will be expedited.
What strategies do you use to motivate and lead a diverse team of coordinators, inspectors, and support staff?
Changing your mindset from that of a traditional manager means allowing everyone to have a voice. The best ideas often come from the front lines. I like to lead by example and set the pace through action. I make sure the team knows I’m there with them. Open lines of communication, trust, and accountability really empower people. They contribute to an atmosphere where my coworkers take ownership of whatever tasks they have to complete.
How do you ensure compliance with industry standards and certifications across all operations in your assigned region?
I like to think there are two components to that. One is that we set expectations, provide training, and hold people accountable. The second is that we, as management, must be involved in ensuring compliance with the industry standards.
It’s important to take a step back and assess what we’re asking of the team. Sometimes, that means doing it ourselves to ensure it is practical. Compliance is more substantial when employees see leadership actively participating in the development but, more importantly, the execution of the standards. In short, it comes down to leading by example and being involved.
How do you ensure clear communication between your team, clients, and other stakeholders?
So, there’s no secret sauce. I’ll preach it to anyone who listens: Communication is the backbone of our business. We drive that every single day. We get information and communicate that information to all involved, whether it be our customers, employees, or compliance teams. It’s all about communication and how effectively/timely one can execute.
How do you foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team?
That’s one of the most important aspects. We at AmSpec wouldn’t be where we are today without continuous improvement. We collectively, as a management team, focus on what can improve the employees’ job flow. That’s why they’ll be more likely to accept changes. We also encourage feedback and involve the team in problem-solving. We get their feedback and clearly explain the reasons why we’re making a change. This translates to a better service for our customers. It’s a win-win.
Occasionally, improvements that aren’t popular at first have to be made. So, we have to explain why those changes are necessary to our employees. It should be communicated properly that whatever we do is for the company’s betterment, which will translate to a better work environment for all.
What do you believe are the most important qualities of an effective operations manager in this industry?
I do everything in threes. I’m just hard-wired for some reason. I believe in having strong communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to execute quickly. If you nail these three things, you’re off to a pretty good start. The great thing is that you can take these life lessons from work and apply them to your personal life.
What do you see as the biggest challenges the testing and inspection industry faces today, and how would you address them?
Adapting to regulations, new technology, and customer expectations while maintaining the service that sets us apart from the competition. Technology today is changing how we operate.
Do you want to tell us about your “home base,” AmSpec Houston Technical Center? HTC is a hub for the US Gulf Coast and supports many other regions. There’s a lot of expertise under one roof here, and there’s always someone who would have an answer to your question. The technology that we’ve invested in at HTC is industry-leading, and we’re always proud to showcase our facility to the customers and vendors we collaborate with in the market.
