Unifi, the largest ground handling and aviation services company in North America, is currently offering special consideration for employment applicants from the Madison area. Unifi’s Executive Chairman and Madison native, Frank Argenbright, is particularly interested in giving back to the community that helped raise him.

The son of a high school teacher and a livestock feed salesman, Argenbright was raised in Madison. Self-identified as “not a good student,” his undiagnosed learning disabilities caused him to struggle in school. However, equipped with the drive and direction ingrained in him by his community from a young age, he worked his way through Madison High School, North Florida Jr. College and Florida State University.

College degree in hand, Argenbright took an hourly position at the Eckerd Drugstore in Tallahassee while determining his next career steps. As part of his interview process, he took a polygraph test. The test administrator noticed Argenbright's undergraduate degree in Criminology and recommended a future in polygraph testing. A service that can be charged hourly, polygraph testing excited Frank.

Argenbright has always been a bit of a “wheeler and dealer,” even at an early age. However, that doesn't mean he was one to take advantage of others. In fact, just the opposite is true. He always looked for ways to find a “win/win” situation. One of his childhood friends, Sid Johnson, recalls a couple of examples of Argenbright's early money-making projects.

A species of African fish had been introduced into Lake Frances, in Madison. This is not an uncommon practice, as fish of this sort are often introduced into lakes and ponds as a way of battling the overgrowth of vegetation. These particular fish, however, were not well suited for the cold weather that frequently strikes North Florida. Many of the fish started to perish and float to the top of the water. When Argenbright saw this, he saw an opportunity. He began to scoop the fish from the surface of the water and went around the area, selling the fish. He made money while his “customers” had an easy supply of fresh fish, at a reasonable price.

Another example involved an old 1955 or 1956 Cadillac convertible a neighbor simply wanted to get rid of. This neighbor offered to sell the vehicle for $75. Johnson and Argenbright decided to go in together and purchase the vehicle. “It was a piece of junk,” recalled Johnson. “The top leaked, but it ran, most of the time. We enjoyed riding around in that old car.” Another person offered to buy the car for $150, giving the two youngsters the opportunity to double their investment. That person then sold the car for $350. “It was a win/win all around,” said Johnson.

“That's the way he's always been,” remembers Johnson of his entrepreneurial friend. “He always wanted to see the people around him succeed.”

Another classmate of Argenbright's, Martha Beggs recalls an incident when they were both in the fifth grade. Argenbright had captured a box of turtles with the intent of selling them to his classmates for $0.25 each. “I told him I would buy two, but I only had enough money for one,” recalls Beggs. “Of course, I had a stipulation, which was that he sell me a boy and a girl, so I could raise my own baby turtles.” Argenbright agreed and proceeded to dig around in the box and “examining” the turtles, produced what he claimed to be a male and a female turtle.

“Frankie has kept Madison County in his heart and, through the years, he has kept in touch with our area, offering both financial and emotional support to our community and his generosity and kindness is unparalleled,” said Beggs.

Argenbright has been instrumental in helping to organize class reunions for the Class of 66 of Madison High School. “There is always great fun and laughter at class reunion golf events with Frankie and Kathy at the Madison Country Club,” said fellow classmate Colin Howerton. “The friendships are ongoing and treasured.”

Another childhood friend, Randy Mickler, tells of Argenbright's humble generosity. Mickler had gone into the ministry and found himself in the Atlanta area, where Argenbright was living and had built a successful business. Argenbright became one of Mickler's parishioners and Mickler mentioned the church's need for camera equipment so Sunday services could be broadcasted. “Frank bought camera equipment for us, anonymously, and wouldn't hear of taking any credit for the donation,” recalls Mickler. “Frank's the kind of friend you want to have, and the kind of friend you want to be. I love him like a brother.”

The advice he received at that Eckerd's Drug Store, in Tallahassee, set Argenbright on a path that would lead to a more than 40-year career in security and facility services, throughout which he has founded and owned many companies, generating employment for more than one million people in both the U.S. and around the world.

One of his current ventures, Unifi, services more than one million flights each year. With over 20,000 valued employees across more than 200 airports, Unifi provides a full range of above and below wing services, including ground handling, cabin services, passenger handling, security, facility, cargo services, ground support equipment maintenance, and more to most major US-based airlines, airports, and cargo providers.

Unifi’s guiding principles of passion, integrity and empathy reflect Argenbright's own personal values – values he experienced firsthand as he grew up in Madison. With overflowing gratitude for the community that raised him, Frank is guaranteeing a phone interview for all Unifi applicants from Madison, Monticello and Live Oak. Additionally, Frank will personally cover any travel and lodging expenses incurred for in-person interviews.

"There are hundreds of positions with high-growth potential with our company in Florida and throughout the United States,” said Argenbright. “I have such faith in the work ethic of the members of this community that I'm willing to make sure they secure a position with Unifi. It's my way of giving back to the community that has given so much to me."

Once on the Unifi team, employees are rewarded with free travel benefits, health benefits, flexible schedules, bonus programs and other resources – all because the company strives to help employees have fulfilling careers and live meaningful lives. At its core, Unifi is committed to advancing and promoting the talent within their ranks. In fact, job openings have a high promotion rate within the first six months.

If you are interested in collaborating with the best minds in the aviation industry, completing meaningful work, and continuously growing and developing through various opportunities, Unifi may be the right place for you.

From working on real projects on day one to being surrounded by individuals who share your same values, Unifi offers an opportunity to be a part of the adventure in aviation.

To express interest in a career with Unifi, call (850) 290-4202 and leave a voicemail with your name and phone number. An HR representative will reach out to you promptly. For more information, you can also visit unifiservice.com/Madison.

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