Jose Hernandez

Quality Assurance Manager / Senior Estimator

Years at Telcion: 10

How do you prefer to start your day at work?

With a cup of coffee 😉

What was your first job?

Trimming sprinkler heads for my dad’s landscape company.

What energizes you at work?

Helping a customer solve an ongoing problem.

What drains you at work?

Repetitiveness and monotony is a deal breaker for me.

What led you to this career?

A relative invited me to an open course and the rest is history.

What’s your biggest work pet peeve?

When people take short cuts, especially if doing it right would only take an extra minute or two.

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

Being able to see beyond the obstacles—a good trait to have in this business because if you can’t see the finish line it is very easy to get overwhelmed.

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

Maintaining ongoing working relationships with customers that span over years, even when they have moved from one company to another. 

What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?

Thinking that I could do everything by myself. You have to learn how to delegate and trust your coworkers to do the tasks that are in their bucket.

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had, and what did you learn from it?

I don’t know that I have had a “worst…” some were definitely more physical or stressful then others, but all of the jobs that I’ve had have taught me along the way.

If you could add one thing to Telcion’s office, what would it be?

More parking wouldn’t be a bad thing.

If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be?

Master mechanic, I’m pretty good with a wrench but…

What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?

Spend some time trying to understand if there’s anything I can do to fix it. If I can’t then I'll just let it be.

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

I love woodworking.

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really bad at?

Keeping track of time, especially if I’m in the middle of something that is so close to being finished.

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

Repurposing old building materials.

What’s the best advice you were ever given?

Never be afraid to try new things even if they make you uncomfortable.

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

Spending time with the family.

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

An archeologist.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Loyal, dependable, and honest.

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

Probably working on something around house.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Don’t sell your vintage cars and buy Amazon and Apple stock.

What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?

Trying to learn how to manage my time better. I’ve always been generous with my time but I’ve started to manage it a bit better. It’s not easy to make a change like that.

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

I jumped off a cliff into a lake from about 30 feet up in the air.

What’s your favorite sport to watch and which team do you root for?

Soccer, and the team depends on what league we’re watching.

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?

Wood carving.

What’s one totally irrational fear that you have?

I’m claustrophobic.

What’s your favorite place to eat around here?

Aside from a home cooked meal (I’m fortune to have two excellent cooks), House of Beef in Oakdale.

What’s your favorite TV show—the one you’re always watching on repeat?

Forensic files, or any detective type shows.

Thanks so much, Jose!

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