Bill Keever is a military veteran and former Olympian now serving as the chief operating officer of JLT Mobile Computers Inc., based in Scottsdale. JLT Mobile Computers designs, engineers and manufactures rugged devices for a range of sectors, including logistics, transportation, warehousing, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and ports.
Keever’s leadership journey began when he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20 after completing an associate’s degree. During his 16-year career in the Army, he quickly rose through the ranks and sharpened his leadership skills. His values, such as loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, became the foundation of his leadership style.
“(I) firmly believe the greatest risk to leadership is passivity, which manifests itself through inaction,” Keever said. “Lead from the FRONT!”
Keever shifted from the military to civilian work and took on the role of chief operating officer at Impact Global Resources, a private oil and gas company. He spent five years in the oil and gas industry before redirecting his path to education. As the west region president for Heavy Equipment Colleges of America, Keever had responsibility for recruiting, training and placing students across multiple campuses and states.
“Mr. Keever has this innate ability to remain results-driven, ensuring the mission is accomplished while caring for people and empowering their success,” his team said. “Being firm, fair and compassionate is often at odds. However, Mr. Keever’s ability to not only navigate but intertwine these attributes to hold people accountable to his high standards are second to none where people are drawn to his leadership style and would follow him anywhere.”
After only a few years in education, Keever spoke at the state Capitol in California as an authority, and on behalf of, veterans education. During his career with JLT, he already has been sought after to help solve global issues with regard to supply chain and cost reduction.
Keever has consistently empowered people to achieve more than they thought possible, his team said. His ability to implement structured processes, improve efficiency and reduce costs has led to revenue growth, cost reductions and increased EBITDA.
“JLT is poised for exponential growth over the next five years as we have spent considerable time on people, processes and products,” the company said. “ We have prepared diligently in anticipation for the biggest fight of JLT’s history where we intend to square off against the Goliaths in the industry — Zebra and Honeywell. Our people welcome the challenge and have the resources necessary to make a positive impact.”
Outside the workplace, Keever is actively involved in his community. He serves as a facilitator for a men’s group at Pillar Church and supports veterans and the armed forces. He represented the United States as an Olympian in the 2000 Sydney Games in shooting.
