WELCOME TO EZ OFFICE PRODUCTS
EZ Office Products, award recipient of Madison Magazine’s and Live at Five’s Best Places to Work, has grown to be the leading, most accomplished, independent locally owned office supply company in the greater Madison area.
With more than five decades of combined industry experience, EZ Office Products has developed a sharp eye for how big-box stores swindle businesses—small and large—into paying more for office supplies, furniture and technology products. All the while, these businesses believe they’re getting great prices. By leveraging technology—beyond Internet surfing—and focusing on the unique needs of your business, we help you improve spend-management, reduce costs and achieve efficiency.
Rose Molz
Rose has been Gary Molz‘ partner in life since 1999 and in business since 2003, and aspires to always be a true partner in both realms. She and Gary both love business, love to work, and love talking about their business – how to do things better and make customers happier. After her first date with Gary, Rose says she was interested in a second date because, “He was the first guy who didn’t say I worked too much.”
After graduating from the UW-Madison, Rose put her plans for law school on hold – too many loans and no money – and went to work for Rayovac in 1987, beginning in customer service and eventually leading a new sales division selling batteries and flashlights to office supply resellers. A customer, the largest national wholesaler, hired her in 1993 as regional director of customer services, a job she says was very cool – like being the center of a wheel. She was liaison to all of the company’s service departments, first in the Southwest where she was based out of Dallas, then on the East Coast based in Philadelphia.
The best part, says Rose, was her boss, Stan, a terrific mentor. “He taught me so much about people and life, not just about the job,” she says. “He’s retired now and rarely does a day go by that I’m not reminded of something he taught or told me. I miss him terribly. My tribute to him is to one day be for someone else the same kind of mentor that he was to me.”
Rose’s favorite quote comes from her mentor: “You can have your say, but you can’t always have your way.” At first it made her angry to hear it, but, she says, “The more you grow, the more you realize how true it is. It’s one of the best lessons in learning good teamwork.”
Rose officially joined BF Molz in 2004 as a sales manager responsible for both Wisconsin and the East Coast. As the market developed, she and Gary started looking for new opportunities and decided to move to Madison. Within a couple of years, she’d like to see EZOP become the trusted office products supplier for small- to mid-sized businesses.And besides, says Rose, “during the thirteen years I was away I always missed my family, but I didn’t realize how much I missed Madison – the people, beauty, the atmosphere and the safe community.” She’s passionate about giving back to the community. “I’d like to help young people grow into adulthood and develop into good businesspeople and managers, to pass on some of the good training I was blessed to receive,” she says.
“The environment is also one of the most important things to our future, and like many others in Madison, I’d like to find practical ways to preserve and improve it. Another priority for me is finding a cure for cancer, especially breast cancer, since it runs in my family and I have eleven nieces.
“If I can make a small contribution in these three areas, I’ll feel I’ve accomplished something,” says Rose.
Gary Molz
Gary loves to trek through Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks, although the Grand Canyon is the most spectacular spot he’s hiked (so far). He’s motivated by his desire to serve others, and demonstrates that passion through his active involvement in the community organizations EZ Office Products supports, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGS), Luke House, and at least a dozen others. His favorite quote is from Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Gary was the first employee at BF Molz, his family’s New Jersey-based office supply and furniture company, starting at age 13 and eventually rising to president. His father was a wonderful mentor and teacher, and Gary has always admired him for starting the business despite lacking any formal business training. The family learned together and built a thriving business, and in 2006 Gary and his partner in life and work, Rose, again started from scratch, launching EZ Office Products here in Madison.
As far as Gary’s concerned, the best aspect of his role as EZOP’s vice president is the diversity. One minute he’s loading a truck, the next he’s meeting with the mayor, the governor, or any number of world-class businesspeople. He’s dedicated to providing customers the kind of value rarely available anywhere, in any field. Gary is also committed to contributing positively to quality of life for EZOP employees, customers, and the community.
Bonnie Conway
If you’ve called us on the phone, communicated by chat, or sent us an e-mail, you may have experienced the pleasure of interacting with Bonnie Conway, one of our customer service extraordinaires. Bonnie joined the EZOP team six years ago bringing experience from various companies as an administrative professional.
Bonnie is on the front-line when it comes to providing prompt and courteous service to customer questions and requests. She strives to learn something new every day that will enable her to better serve our customers. She is a key voice at EZOP to both internal and external customers as well as our vendors. While she never knows what her day will bring, she can assure that it will be lively, fun, and keep her on her toes. All of these things are why she loves her job.
David Ott
Dave Ott installs furniture, makes deliveries, and is both a salesperson and single parent. Though much of his work history focused on the internal side of organizations (warehouse management and operations), he is an extremely talented salesperson, having received expert training in the art of negotiation from his daughter.
Dave loves the challenge of his professional career, but his higher aspiration is to be “father extraordinaire” in the eyes of his daughter. His favorite quote is from none other than Dr. Seuss: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
Dave joined EZ Office Products after working nearly twenty years assembling and installing office furniture along with his warehouse and operations background. He’s the in-house expert when it comes to floor plan reconfiguration for clients. After so many years of hands-on experience, we’ve dubbed Dave our “go-to-guy.”
Dustin Morfey
Dustin Morfey serves a key role as one of our Delivery Service Representatives. Dustin joined EZ Office Products more than four years ago after relocating from Colorado where he worked as a physical therapy aid and personal trainer. His ties to Wisconsin began earlier when he studied business at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
Dustin starts his day by loading our trucks with orders placed the previous day. Once loaded and neatly organized, it's time to hit the road and get needed merchandise in the hands of our customers. While on route, he answers customer questions that arise and also picks up product returns & items that are recyclable and brings them back to the warehouse for processing. Dustin finishes his day by picking orders to prep for tomorrow's route, which gives him an idea of what his tomorrow has in store for him. He tells us that one of his favorite parts of his job is interacting with customers face-to-face even during the cold winter months!
Marilyn Gottschalk
“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” That quote is owed to Mother Teresa, the Nobel Peace Prize winner beatified by Pope John Paul II. She’s an inspiration to Marilyn.
It’s fortuitous, yet fitting, that some time back in the early ’80s Marilyn picked up a nickname that’s held on through today. Back then she’d come home from work, and her two older boys and their buddies, all still in high school, would either be hanging out in the yard or down in the basement listening to music. (Loud rock music, as Marilyn tells it.) With her ever-ready smile, she’d greet them: “How you boys doing?” Her sons’ friends would say, “Your mom’s always smiling,” or “Your mom always seems so happy when she sees you.” One day her sons’ friends dubbed her “Smilin’ Marilyn,” and she’s been called Smilin’ ever since.
Marilyn joined EZOP part-time after retiring from her 21-year career as bookkeeper and bean counter for Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association. She possesses the three essential and treasured traits we need for her role as A/P, A/R, and payroll expert: accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness! As a consummate organizer, she makes it all seem so easy. And that has us all smiling.
Steve Schwenn
Steve Schwenn is a sales service rep who spends much of his time in the office studying customer buying habits to help identify solutions and strategies that add value. However, he thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to get out and interact with our customers during occasional on-site deliveries. And we don’t have to wonder why – Steve developed strong relationships with our customers during his time as a delivery driver and seeing them in person is like catching up with an old friend. And for those customers he hasn’t met yet, he believes putting a face to the name is central to a sustainable partnership.
Self-described as loyal, hard-working, driven, and focused, Steve believes that you get out of life what you put into it. This noble path to success is a philosophy he lives by, and one he instills in his young boys. He feels motivated to perform his best and do everything he can to give his family the best life possible.
When he’s not in the office, you may find Steve attending a live rock concert or reveling in his passion for sports. He considers himself a devoted Wisconsin sports fan and likes watching the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers with his dad. With a stepson starting to play on a traveling baseball team, Steve also takes joy in helping with coaching. He especially looks forward to the summer months when he can enjoy playing softball and volleyball with his friends.
While he considers himself an anxious flyer, Steve thanks his wife for inspiring his love of travel. After marrying on a private island in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the two enjoy revisiting the area for some well-deserved R&R. They’ve also taken a couple of cruises and visited Disney World with their two boys. When they want to get away a little closer to home, they head out for a road trip adventure to Chicago, the Mall of America, or visiting his wife’s family in a remote area of Minnesota.
When Steve thinks about his life, he feels deep-seated gratitude for his entire family, but especially his dad. As a retired Dane County Deputy, Steve’s dad has made an indelible imprint on his life, and they enjoy spending time together. Steve strives to teach the many valuable lessons from his father to his kids, and proudly admits that in doing so, he’s passing down some truly extraordinary gifts to the next generation.
Jason Spink
If your business is on the route that Jason runs during his daily journey, you may have been lucky enough to meet his outgoing and personable disposition as one of our delivery service reps. Rain, snow, or shine, he’s a consistent, friendly face that customers look forward to welcoming through their doors.
A Madison native since the age of three, the best parts of Jason’s day are talking to customers, addressing questions, or simply saying hello. He loves getting to know people and often develops lasting friendships with those he meets.
An avid outdoorsman, Jason is a particularly skilled hunter and fisherman whose sporting adventures have taken him to scenic destinations, including Wyoming and as far north as Canada. Sharing his love of the great outdoors with his kids, Jason and his family have enjoyed road trips to places like San Antonio, New Orleans, Nashville, and Chattanooga. They once set off on an ambitious one-week driving adventure through the badlands of South Dakota to Mt. Rushmore and Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. Ending at northern Montana’s majestic Glacier National Park, where they enjoyed hiking and exploring, Jason’s family looks back on the experience as a vacation to remember.
When asked who he most admires, Jason points to his wife. Her natural skill at a “bazillion” talents and artistries inspires him. When he’s not enjoying time with loved ones, Jason is a talented taxidermist. He specializes in replicas and skin mount fish because he loves the artistic component of painting the colors and textures of trout, muskie, walleyes, and other local catches. His past hobbyist endeavors also included raising bees and playing the guitar.
Whether he’s dropping off office supplies or recreating the catch of a lifetime, Jason loves to make people happy. He takes pride in a job well done, no matter what it is. He regularly shares the idea of always trying your best with his kids and encourages them to follow through on their word.
If you see Jason dropping off supplies at your office, be sure to stop and say hello!
David Hanson
David has the best of both worlds – he’s half route service rep and half sales rep, which means he can help you with product selection and then deliver your order! This unique combination allows David to use his innate people skills to provide top-notch service with a personal touch.
As a former business owner, David knows a thing or two about sales and service. These core strengths are just part of the reason that David excels at his job. He also lends a contagious level of eternal optimism that you’re sure to capture the moment you meet him. This genuine positivity comes naturally to David, and he loves sharing this rigor and passion for life with everyone he meets.
In addition to his positive nature, David is also energetic, creative, and self-motivated. His interest in amateur photography has provided an artistic outlet for these attributes. He particularly enjoys shooting rusted abandoned cars circa the 1920s-1940s that are hidden all around Wisconsin. As he says, each one tells a story, and David helps unearth these treasures. Before photography, David used to play and teach the drums. His musical inclinations even led him to the bright lights and big city of Hollywood for four years as a young adult. Today, he’s content with simply listening to good jazz, blues, classic, or hard rock bands.
You can also find David and his family among the many hiking trails in towns like the Wisconsin Dells and Wyalusing. When he’s not working up a sweat outdoors, you might find David working out at the gym.
David’s superpower is his keen ability to connect with and read people. These innate qualities make him an excellent listener who goes beyond merely hearing words. Instead, he can sense and absorb customer needs, which helps him provide superior service.
The best advice David shares with his kids and others is to not be afraid of failure because there’s no success without it. Even though it can sting a little, life’s challenges give you years of wisdom and help motivate you for the future. Anyone who sets a goal and wholeheartedly journeys toward it – regardless of the outcome – is a success in his book.