This month's installment of Permobil Portrait delves into the fascinating lives of Guy and Roy Henningsson, twin brothers hailing from Sweden, with 23 years of dedicated service at Permobil. Guy excels as the National Technical Education Specialist, while Roy thrives in his role as a Software Electronics Liaison.
Childhood adventures
In the small town of Njurunda, just south of Sundsvall and Timra, two brothers, Guy and Roy Henningsson, spent their childhood surrounded by the serene beauty of nature and the thrill of sports. Raised alongside their three older sisters, their upbringing was filled with summers spent at their family's summer house, fishing expeditions, and intense matches of hockey and soccer. Even from a young age, their aspirations were evident—Guy wanted to be a pilot or aircraft mechanic, while Roy dreamt of playing soccer or hockey professionally.
Life after high school
Following their graduation at the age of 18, they wasted no time and transitioned directly into military service, where Guy specialized in weapon mechanics and Roy focused on tank mechanics. After their military tenure, they further honed their skills through 12 weeks of computer education.
Initially finding themselves employed as temporary workers at a car turbo repair shop, circumstances led them to cross paths with Permobil—an opportunity that would change their lives. Drawn to their impressive mechanical background, Permobil offered them positions that aligned with their expertise. Without hesitation, they embraced this new chapter, propelled by their innate desire to help others—a value deeply ingrained in their work ethic.
Careers at Permobil
At Permobil, Guy and Roy have found fulfillment in roles that allowed them to channel their skills and passion into making a difference. Guy's role as National Technical Education Specialist involves training dealers on Permobil products and engaging directly with users at various Ability Expos, while Roy thrives as a Software Electronics Liaison customizing orders, troubleshooting, and contributing to production support. Their average day is a dynamic blend of hands-on work, strategic planning, and collaboration with teams both locally and internationally.
Reflecting on their journey at Permobil, Guy and Roy highlight their proudest achievements, from realizing their dream of living and working in the U.S. to mastering new skills and technologies within the company. Their involvement in significant projects, such as pioneering wiring techniques for new chair models and contributing to the Power Platform launch, underscores their invaluable contributions to Permobil's success.
Passions and Proud Moments
Outside the realm of work, Guy and Roy are passionate about travel, indulging in frequent vacations to destinations like Mexico, Panama City Beach, and their homeland of Sweden. They also find joy in hobbies such as bowling, fitness, and spending quality time with friends. Despite their busy schedules, they remain rooted in their familial bonds and cherish the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.
When asked about their proudest moments, Guy emphasizes the privilege of working for Permobil and the profound impact it has on people's lives, while Roy underscores his enduring passion for his work and his commitment to lifelong learning.
Rapid fire questions:
Favorite restaurant?
Guy: My favorite place to eat is the Twelve Thirty Club in downtown Nashville.
Roy: Mikado's is my favorite-try the #9!
What season do you like best and why?
Guy: Spring is my favorite. It’s just a different smell and it’s not too cold or too hot. And everyone seems happy when spring comes.
Roy: Summer is mine because we go home to Sweden to see our family.
If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Guy: Tony Robbins. I'm always working on both being a better person and being better at business and he's just an amazing speaker and coach.
Roy: Henrik Zetterberg. I played hockey with him growing up and now he's one of the best players in the NHL. It would be fun to catch up and talk memories.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
Guy: The Shawshank Redemption
Roy: Not a movie, but the TV show Band of Brothers.
Angie Kiger, M.Ed., CTRS, ATP/SMS
Portfolio Marketing Manager
Angie Kiger, M.Ed., CTRS, ATP/SMS earned a Master of Education degree in Assistive Technology from George Mason University. She is an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS), and a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Angie has over 20 years of experience working in the field of assistive technology serving infants, children, and adults in inpatient, outpatient, school, and community settings with a variety of diagnoses. In addition to working as a clinician, Angie has served as an adjunct instructor at George Mason University and presented hundreds of clinical education trainings both in-person and virtually for global audiences. She has written articles for trade publications and been involved in clinical research. Angie is a member of and serves on the executive board for the nationwide advocacy group The Clinician Task Force. She joined Permobil Americas in mid-2022.