JT Westcott, Chief Operations Officer of QuikrStuff
Meet JT Westcott, Chief Operations Officer for QuikrStuff
Whether you secretly dream of the Quik Rack Mach2 or you’ve already bitten the bullet and made your purchase, you really should know who’s making this bike rack. We are proud to introduce JT Westcott, a quiet, humble presence with a serious focus and deep professionalism. JT is a detail-oriented, tech-savvy life-long learner who communicates thoughtfully and writes with the clarity and depth of a PhD. Though he may come off as a tough nut to crack, those of us lucky enough to work with him know that beneath it all, he’s a big-hearted teddy bear.
Q: What was your background in manufacturing and how did these experiences prepare you to jump in with QuikrStuff in 2020?
I graduated high school with a certificate in metal cutting, then I spent the next 35 years working and attending the school of hard knocks. Over a 22 year period, I honed my manufacturing skills at a Fortune 25 aerospace company, then eventually branched out and learned to navigate the obstacles of owning and managing a profitable company. My first venture into the entrepreneurial world was in the oil and gas industry, then, eventually, back to the manufacturing world.
JT Westcott, master of machines
Q: What have been the most challenging and rewarding times for you since starting QuikrStuff?
The biggest challenge is looking beyond the daily chaos and keeping a positive attitude. The most rewarding thing is the opportunity to get some R&R. I figure that, if I can get some R&R, then things must not be so bad.
Q: What else can you tell us about you? I know the QuikrStuff family will love to learn more about the man responsible for making the best damn bike rack out there.
I’m a proud native of Western Colorado, going back several generations. I was born on a ranch in Glade Park, Colorado but grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Grand Junction. On the farm is where I first learned the principles of mechanics and how to fix things. I was driving tractors as soon as I could reach the pedals and that led to harvesting hay during my teens. In the summer months, my brothers and I traveled the entire Grand Valley, hopping from farm to farm, cutting, baling and stacking hay for farmers that couldn’t justify their own equipment. We lived minutes from the desert, so when we weren’t working or going to school, we rode bicycles and dirt bikes (motorcycles). When they broke, we fixed them. In fact, most of the hobbies throughout my life have come and gone but usually required some sort of mechanical know-how. Whether it was fixing a bike, a boat, a Jeep, an ATV or a pair of ski bindings, I’ve always been a DIY kind of guy with a desire to incorporate technology, no matter how unnecessary it was. My house talks to me, my fish aquarium sends me text messages, my irrigation system diverts water with a linear actuator and my weather station controls the cycle of my sprinkler system and publishes data for the world to see. I totally geek out on these silly things, but they keep me engaged and I learn something with every superfluous project. I’m a self-proclaimed foody, I like to travel, but most of all, l enjoy a crackling campfire on a starry night with family and friends.
JT slices his smoked prime rib for the company holiday party.
JT Westcott out having fun
