As we reflect on the last 40 years of running and operating TEC Systems Group, the Eakins family feels incredibly thankful and blessed by our great clients, employees, and partners. It has been a journey of vision, perseverance, and success that we want to share with all, and we hope that by reading this, you’ll be inspired to pursue your own calling in this world.

Our founder, Rolland Eakins, strived to see others succeed. He had a passion for mentoring and inspiring people to pursue their dreams. His personal and business values are clearly reflected in TEC’s mission statement, which is a testament to his vision.

“Our overall Mission is to be respected by our clients, employees, and peers for Technical Excellence, Employee Growth, and Customer Service.”

For Rolland, starting TEC in 1984 was about building strong partnerships within the community. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it alone; rather, he believed in the power of shared effort and connection. Rolland invested in his community, and in turn, the community invested in him. He developed relationships that extended far beyond the workplace, valuing personal connections.  One such relationship was with Charles Sullivan, a key Cargill administrator Rolland worked with at the oilseed processing plant in Wichita. They not only collaborated at work but also attended church together, creating a bond built on trust and respect. This bond led Charles to offer to be Rolland’s first client if he ever started his own business—a gesture that gave Rolland the confidence to take the leap of faith and establish TEC.

Rolland honored that trust and loyalty by ensuring the Cargill plant always received the best from TEC, and today, we proudly say, “Our first customer is still our customer today.” From those beginnings, TEC has grown into a nationwide leader in Control Systems Integration and comprehensive data solutions.

Rolland and his business partner, Phil Nelson, not only supported their families, but also encouraged them to participate in their adventures. Over time, the company employed several family members, including Georgia Eakins (wife), Marge Nelson (Phil’s wife), Eric Eakins (son), Jack Barker (brother-in-law), Doyle Wilcox (brother-in-law), Bart Wilcox (brother-in-law), Mark Wilcox (nephew), John Whaley (distant cousin) and Jackson Wilcox (great nephew). Rolland’s daughter-in-law, Joy Eakins, made a significant impact at TEC by developing the company’s data analytics capabilities. With Rolland’s encouragement, Joy went on to establish her own company in 2008, Cornerstone Data, which specialized in data solutions and analytics.  Cornerstone Data has since become a close partner of TEC, a relationship that continues to thrive today.

Georgia Eakins recalls, “Rolland was the same person at church, at home, and in the office. He treated everyone the same. One of the Bible verses he lived by was Proverbs 15:1, which says, ‘A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.’” Rolland was a true visionary, constantly aware of the direction technology was headed. He pursued his vision with enthusiasm and invited others to join him on the journey. His determination was evident in everything he did, reflected in the plaque on his desk that read, “Innovation – The best way to predict the future is to create it.” 

For Rolland, creation was never a solo endeavor; it was always a collaborative effort. Eric remembers when he was in junior high school, his father, Rolland, took him to a DOS programming class. It was the 1970s, and Eric didn’t even know what a computer was, much less how to use one. During one of these classes, Eric asked his father why they were doing this together. Rolland responded, “This is the future, and you need to know it.” Rolland saw the immense potential of computers long before most people did and wanted to ensure that 

Georgia Eakins and Eric Eakins of TEC Systems GroupEric was prepared for what was to come. Through his father’s vision and foresight, Eric learned to see the transformative power of technology—a perspective that has shaped his life ever since. While Eric was attending the University of Kansas School of Architecture, he would spend his summers working at TEC. One summer, Rolland handed him an “AutoCAD Drafting” instruction book and told him to learn it, emphasizing its importance for the future. Once again, Rolland’s insight proved invaluable. His emphasis on innovation and preparation positioned Eric to succeed, as his first job with an architecture firm in Boulder, Colorado, was secured because of his proficiency in AutoCAD. Rolland’s forward-thinking approach not only shaped Eric’s career but also taught him to be a visionary, embracing technology to drive progress.

Eric returned to TEC at his father’s request, aiming to guide the company back to its original vision. In 2016, following Rolland’s passing, Eric stepped into the role of President and CEO, inheriting a strong foundation built by his father and a team of dedicated individuals like Garth Bloom, VP of Operations, who has been with TEC for over 30 years. He was also joined by other long-serving employees such as Chad Bryant, Larry Pauls, Dennis Barnes, and Carrie Van Metre—each contributing more than 20 years to TEC’s success.

Inspired by Rolland’s final wish to stay true to TEC’s original vision and mission, Eric has been working towards customer diversification, technical advancements, and expanding business offerings. In the last eight years, TEC has added over 50 unique customers and, in addition to being an established engineering group, has expanded its business intelligence and data analytics team to 10 members. The company has grown to over 50 employees and recently invested in a new panel shop building to complement its new downtown office, designed by Eric.

This office, a design developed from many conversations and sketches between Eric and Rolland, embodies their shared vision of creating an inspiring workspace where TEC’s employees can thrive. They both believed in fostering the best environment for the best employees, allowing them to fulfill their true potential.

The Eakins family is proud to honor Rolland on the 40th anniversary of TEC Systems Group. As we work towards our 50th anniversary, we carry forward the vision of our founder to invest in one another, our clients, and our industry to create a meaningful impact for everyone. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We would love for you to share your stories of success inspired by Rolland and all of us at TEC Systems Group.