Michael Zuniga

Healthcare Technical Consultant

Length of Time at Telcion: 7 months

What’s one professional skill you’re currently working on?

I’m currently working on my Cisco Blackbelt training. I came from a healthcare background so I’m familiar with the technical aspects of Telcion’s work, but the sales side is new to me.

What was your first job?

KFC, I got hired on my 16th birthday. I was walking home from school with a friend and decided on impulse to go in and apply. The manager interviewed me on the spot and when he saw that it was my birthday he said that he would take a chance on me.

What led you to this career?

Before I was at Telcion I had worked in healthcare for 20 years. I met Eric Mueller, Telcion’s VP of Sales, when I was working as an IT Manager. When I eventually left that job he reached out to me asking me if I wanted to be a healthcare focuses sales person, and the rest is history.  

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

A regret I have is that I never finished pursuing my goal of being a Physician’s Assistant. I enjoy my work now, but I miss being on the clinical side of things.

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

I suck at making rice. I don’t like using a rice cooker because I don’t learn anything from it, but I’ve tried so many techniques and they’ve all failed.

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

When I was a kid my uncles would try and push me to go into IT, but I wasn’t interested. I had always wanted to go into healthcare, but now I’ve combined both healthcare and IT, so it’s the best of both worlds.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

On his own. I tend to do my own thing.

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

Spending time with my dogs, cooking or barbequing, or spending a weekend in wine country.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

I am really good at making the Chewbacca noise

What’s one song or artist you’re embarrassed to admit you like?

Miley Cyrus.

What’s one totally irrational fear that you have?

I don’t see how this is an irrational fear, but I don’t like clowns. It is perfectly rational to not like clowns.

What’s your favorite place to eat around here?

I like going to my favorite Italian restaurant, Annex kitchen