PPB October 2017

Eric Rubin President Blue Generation Long Island City, New York Number of direct reports: 55 A s long as he can remember, Eric Rubin has been working at his family’s business, New York City-based apparel manufacturer M. Rubin & Sons. “As a little boy, I would tag along with my dad, stuffing catalogs and doing other menial jobs around the office and warehouse,” says the third generation in this 73-year-old family- owned business. “I used to get a kick out of climbing up the racks in the warehouse like [they were] monkey bars. They seemed so big in those days!” Later, he worked part-time as a shipping clerk while attending NYU’s Stern School of Business, which was five blocks away from the warehouse. Upon graduation, Rubin brought his MBA and expertise to the company full time. In 1996, the company created a division for logoed apparel, Blue Generation, of which Rubin is now president. The close-knit family feel of the company extends beyond blood relatives, say the 14 employees who nominated Rubin as a PPB Best Boss: Patricia Low, Christopher Low, Pamela Brooks, Anita Swinton, Joan Acevedo, Kelly Gong, Marie-Grace Cave, Nelson Adderly, Denise Peralta, Victory Burgos, James Mitsner, Gina Delgado, Stacie Peirce and Denise Robinson. “Eric Rubin leads by example,” says Pamela Brooks, who has reported to him for almost 14 years. “He works hard to assure that the business is successful and his employees stay employed. He is very professional, yet makes us feel like family. He values and respects my hard work, potential and dedication.” His care and consideration for employees has earned him plenty of fans. Anita Swinton, who has been with the company for 12 years, says she was getting on the train one day when she caught sight of her boss approaching. “I thought he would walk by me, but he got on the train and sat right next to me!” she says, adding that his management style also makes a difference. “Eric has an open-door policy. He is your friend when you need a friend, and your boss when he has to be.” Eric Rubin, center, with some of his direct reports at Blue Generation. His best boss I was fortunate to have three best bosses: my uncles Don and Bob Rubin, and my father, Phil. I worked side by side with each of them at various stages of my career for over 40 years. Each of them taught me different aspects of the business and managing people. But the one common thread was their respect and appreciation for those who contributed to building the family business. I’ve seen so many people work their entire lives here going back to my grandfather’s time. With loyalty, you get loyalty. What managing others has taught him about himself I view every member of our team as part of the Rubin family. My greatest reward is seeing the people here grow and thrive in their personal lives. So, at the end of the day, I realize it isn’t just seeing the business grow, but the smiles I see when I walk in the office in the morning. His best advice for other bosses In this competitive corporate world, the importance of the individual is often lost. Everyone has a personal life and all the trials and tribulations that go along with it. I look to be understanding and helpful in any way we can through their difficult times and share in their joyous times as well. When they feel you really care, they will be there for the company tenfold because they feel important and appreciated. One thing they know: they have a home here to come to every day. Eric’s cool factor He’s got a memorable sense of humor and a laidback style. He’s the type of leader you want to follow. FEATURE | Best Bosses 38 | OCTOBER 2017 |