The Man Behind the Product Plans

Hello HAPPY people!

Today we are going to do something a bit different and really get down to what makes JHD such a great company. As many of you know, our products are made in the great state of Texas and we have had the privilege of employing an incredible group of people over the years.

We know that the best companies are only successful because of the humans that work tirelessly to make it so. Our skilled artisans are the heartbeat of JHD and represent everything we stand for as a company. Today we will conduct a Q & A with our Design Manager Marc Almodovar and ask him to help us feature some of his favorite original designs.

Q. How long have you been with JH?

A. I started with the company 02/23/2015

Q. Where did you learn to create and design products?

A. Pretty much self-taught, I visualize what I want to make, how many parts it'll have and how it'll be stitched together before I put pencil to paper. When I was teenager I worked a couple of summers at an auto & marine upholstery shop designing and making boat tops, boat covers and boat seats for customers who brought their boats in and for those customers who had yachts too large to bring in I would travel to the coast to work on their boat while they were docked. I also spent 17 years working for Levi Strauss learning the ins and outs of manufacturing, after Levi’s I worked 10 years for a defense contractor making protective gear, body armor and EOD bomb suits for our men and women in the United States Armed Forces. After stepping away from the textile industry for a couple of years I got a call to come and work for Jon Hart Design to help with the manufacturing part of the company, after about a month with the company I was asked if I could design a new product for JH and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Q. What is your favorite JH item that you personally own?

A. A black ballistic Slimline computer case, I carry my laptop, files, design ideas and snacks 😊

Q. How many items have you designed for JH?

A. 29 (plus 2 that haven’t been launched). I have more ideas that I’m working on completing plus tons more floating around in my head.

Q. What do you think makes JHD a unique place to work?

A. All our products are made here in the great city of San Antonio, Texas. I can take an idea turn it into a product and within a day or two start cranking out production, and I’m not talking about sending it over seas and waiting months for our product to return, I’m talking right here, right now here in house. I don’t know any company here in the US that makes products as unique as JHD that can say that, you got to love this place.

 






Q. What are your favorite designs and why?

A. The #504 Bebita and the #2811 JH Duffel and not just because these are my designs. The #504 Bebita with its adjustable padded dividers and hidden cushioned changing pad that when unfold measures 13” wide by 31” long, can be converted into a tote bag, this is a very versatile bag. The #2811 JH Duffle with the olive or khaki cotton canvas combined with the oiled leather and topped off with Antique brass hardware gives it that outdoor woodsy look and feel to it. I put a lot of leather into this bag, 8 sq. ft. to be exact, it has the right balance of hardware without going over the top.

Q. Who is your biggest influence in life?

A. My Mother. She raised my two sisters, my brother and me as a single mom. Looking back, I realize we didn’t have much - come to think of it, we were poor - but we never noticed that. We always felt very loved, we never felt threatened and always felt protected, and we never went hungry. She always made the most of the little food we had and she taught us that you don’t need lots of possessions to be happy. She never turned her back on someone in need and she taught us to always help those who are less fortunate.

Q. What is your favorite coated canvas color?

A. Rose, it really makes the products stand out. It’s a very fresh-looking color.

Q. Is there anything you want our customers to know about yourself that we haven’t covered?

A. I’m a Capricorn, my favorite color is burgundy, and my favorite number is 22…. just kidding. I love riding my Harley whenever I can. Next year in March my wife and I will celebrate our 30^th wedding anniversary which seems like a very long time but it doesn’t feel like it. My wife and I are both Catechist. We teach First Communion to second graders. Every year in June we travel to Punta Gorda, Belize in Central America to do mission work to serve the poorest of the poor, with money we raise throughout the year we purchase school supplies for the children and purchase building materials to provide shelter to those living in dilapidated conditions. I’ve been blessed to have a wife who is as passionate as I am in serving Gods people.

Down below is a full list of Marc's designs

850 Makeup organizer

690 Dog bowl

691 Small Dog collar

692 Medium Dog collar

693 Large Dog collar

694 Small Dog leash

695 Large Dog leash

2811 JH Duffel

2909 JH Backpack

504 Bebita

913 Britton

210 Lola

275 Tassel

810 Tote organizer

2422 JH Traveler

541 Boca Chica

2813 CL Dopp Kit

2813 CV Dopp Kit

2435 JH Travel wallet

2450 JH Card case

575 El Mercado

212 Bellaire bag

213 Clear Bellaire bag

225 Daisy

110 JH wrap bracelet

629 Rifle case – Redesigned

910 Clear Backpack

Clear tote – New

Clear Pouch – New

Above is a SNEAK PEEK at the next new item that Marc developed. It will be launched in January 2019 so keep your eyes peeled for the exciting announcement about it! 😊

There you have it friends! Jon Hart is more than just a luggage company. We represent timeless style, enduring quality and unique design made by human hands right here in San Antonio, TX.

The JH Family