Monthly Coach Highlight – Jerome Johnson, Sales Coach

This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Sales Coach Jerome Johnson. We got to learn about his journey into trades, the series of events that brought him to Nexstar, and what he’s passionate about.

Q: When and where did you get your start in the trades?
A: I got started in the trades straight out of high school. I didn’t want to attend college, so I enrolled at Lincoln Tech in Dallas, TX for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration. After completing my training, I landed my first job as an installer helper in HVAC back in 2007.

Q: What brought you to Nexstar?
A: I was first introduced to Nexstar in 2020 while serving as a sales manager at a company that partnered with them. I saw firsthand how impactful their training and coaching was – not just for me and my sales team, but for every department in the company.

Q: Is there someone who inspired your journey into the trades?
A: My grandmother! I told her I was thinking about trying to get into the trades, and she looked me dead in the eyes and said, “Go for it, grandson!” She was so wise and supportive. Most of my life lessons growing up came from her and my mom.

Q: What are some of the career milestones that have been important in guiding you to your role as a coach?
A: While I could talk about awards and results, what’s mattered most are the relationships. Watching people I led grow as human beings – that means more to me than any sales number I helped them hit. The fact that I’m still in touch with many of them today tells me that those relationships made a lasting impact.

Additionally, when I worked in the car business, I was selected to attend the Finance & Insurance Academy by Berkshire Hathaway Automotive. I graduated at the top of my class, and that knowledge became a game-changer for me as a sales manager and desk manager.

Q: What does your typical day look like as a coach?
A: My typical day includes five to six coaching calls with our members. Each call is focused on meeting them where they are so I can help them get to where they need to go. I believe that if you want to coach people at a high level, you must care about the person – not just the numbers.

Q: What’s the best part of your job and why?
A: The best part of my job is seeing the progress members make – and how it positively affects their teams, their companies, and their families. Knowing I had a part in that brings a joy to my heart that money could never match. I’m a purpose-driven person, and this work allows me to live out that purpose by making a real impact in people’s lives.

Q: What are some of your greatest superpowers?
A: One of my superpowers is connecting with people and building strong relationships with them. Additionally, my strong understanding of finance and numbers is shown by my achievement with the Finance & Insurance Academy.

Q: What do you do to relax when you’re not at work?
A: I love watching and discussing movies with my wife, taking walks, and listening to sports radio. I also really enjoy having thoughtful debates with people about how we can become better human beings.

Q: What are some of your passions?
A: Since I never met my father, I’m deeply passionate about being the best father I can be – and about supporting other dads well. I was a coach before I even knew what coaching was, always helping family and friends grow. I used to think I was meant to be a pastor, because I’ve always had a desire to help people move from where they are to where they’re meant to be.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: Yes – on January 28 of this year, I had open-heart surgery. As you can imagine, it was a challenging time for me and my family. But God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never left my side. I’m thankful that I don’t look like what I’ve been through.