Reading Time: 6 minutes

Jon Buenaventura

Procurement Clerk

Years at Telcion: 4

Hi Jon! What are your main responsibilities at Telcion?

I do all the purchasing for our company.

How do you prefer to start your day at work?

I have to start my day with a cup of coffee. That's the first thing I do.

What was your first job?

My first job was back when I was 15… it was with the city of Union City. So I had a government job for my first 5 years of employment. I worked with the reception staff, so when people would rent halls with the city, we would set it all up and support the customers with whatever they needed. About a year in I became a supervisor and I remained a supervisor for the next 4 years after that.

What led you to this career?

Basically just my interest in purchasing! Back when I was young, my teenage years on up to my early twenties, I used to do a lot of purchasing of audio equipment for cars and and household electronics. And I would help my friends buy all their stuff and then my parents and family members. I enjoyed trying to get that best deal while also getting the good service because early on I learned that cheapest is not always the best. There's always a balance.

What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I attribute it to, like, my parents and my family, because they taught me early on how to remain calm. I always stay level headed in a crisis. Competent—never afraid to ask questions. Cooperative and flexible. I adapt my my priorities based on the needs. And always being punctual. It's always great to be able to manage your time wisely.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?

I'd have to say it was back when I worked for NEC. The company did the same thing we do here at Telcion. That was during the dot-com boom, and all sales was interested in was just selling, selling, selling. And back then we did a lot of trade-ins. We allowed customers to trade in old equipment for new equipment. And that old equipment wasn't getting returned properly and we were losing millions of dollars every year. So what I did was work closely with our Cisco team to implement a return product review process. And that reduced our RMA trade-in costs by about 2 million dollars a year.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

At one point I was going to move to Texas—2002 I guess it was? And I'm really a family-oriented person. I mean, our whole family lived in the same city pretty much. I had the opportunity to move to Texas, that company NEC was moving to the new corporate center in Irving, Texas, and they flew me out there and I told my family that was just business. I went out there and actually what I was doing was looking at the new corporate center and looking for housing.

I found a house to move into and the company worked up a deal and was going to pay for all my moving expenses, my first 6 months of housing, all while maintaining my California wages (it's a lot cheaper in Texas). I actually signed the go ahead to do it. I hadn't told my family yet but last minute I backed out. I couldn't accept the offer. It was a really, really nice offer, but just something I couldn't do.

What's something big or small that you're really good at?

Working on cars. I was working on cars since I was 6 years old. I just had an interest in engines and transmissions and the performance. I rebuilt my first engine when I was 13 years old, and that led to working on friends cars and family's cars. It even led to buying a brand new ‘91 Mustang GT that I ordered special order from Ford. When it came in within a month, no one knew this, but I tore the engine apart on a brand new car I just bought. Tore it down to the block and I put all these performance parts in—cams, headers, gear drive—I mean, the works. And everything worked out fine! But my family, when I told them, said you're nuts.

What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?

A long walk. I'll usually go with my mom or or my sister and it just, you know, clears your mind. Nice way to wind down.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a kid, I would say, probably a mechanic. I always enjoyed the automotive field so I did that, but at the same time, I also wanted to be a police officer. So all of my college education was all in law enforcement. I almost became a correctional officer. I pretty much had the job, and then, I don’t know, cold feet after that. A lot of horror stories that friends who are all correctional officers have told me.

What would we most likely find you doing on the weekend?

On the weekend, you'll usually find me at my parents’ house working in the backyard on a lot of backyard projects and then also just doing things that need to get done around the house.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I would tell my teenage self to start saving early on in life, invest your money wisely. I spent a lot of my money buying new cars, which is the last thing you should be doing.

What's one item you want to own that you don't?

It's gotta be a 1967 Camaro RS/SS. One day I hope to have one.

What’s something you've done but will never do again?

Become a landlord. I bought 3 houses in my life, and they were all new. And the first two I ended up renting out one after it was 3 years old and the second when it was only 1 year old. It was good at first and then they both turned into a nightmare. And it’s something I would never do again.

What's one totally irrational fear that you have?

Flying. I can't fly. I don't know why, when I was young, I would fly to Hawaii, I would fly all over, fly to Texas. But I would say in the last 10 years, as soon as I get on a plane, my hands start to sweat.

What's your favorite TV show? The one you're always watching on repeat?

I would say CSI. I’m always watching CSI Las Vegas and Miami.

Thanks so much, Jon!

You may also like: