In the 10-plus years since the Difference Makers program was launched, we’ve profiled individuals from virtually every company that serves our industry, including star performers representing dealers, OEMs, distributors, solutions specialists, trainers, consultants—you name it. Also, every cog in the office technology machine (chief execs and executive assistants, VPs and SMEs, APs/ARs and vCISOs/CMOs) has been recognized at one time or another.
Well, almost every cog. The folks behind the wheel of company trucks deserve some glory. Making deliveries can be a tough and seemingly thankless job, but when a client is waiting on an MFP or toner or anything else necessary to keep business humming, their importance becomes magnified. This year, we broke new ground, recognizing the three-man delivery team at Stargel Office Solutions in Houston. This week’s personality profile will take a look at the talented trio of John Sundara, Jay Ratliff and Gabe Mendoza.
Since we’ve never chronicled the triumphs and challenges of a three people in one sitting, it stands to reason that we needed an atypical format to share insights into each individual. Instead of the usual fare, we’ve compiled a list of questions in order to present their stories in Q&A fashion. They’re answers are both enlightening and entertaining.
ENX: What’s it like working together?
Sundara: We have a great delivery team. We know what each other’s job requires, so we can deliver and connect a machine without [the need for] communication, making the process seamless.
ENX: What is the funniest thing that ever happened while making a delivery?
Sundara: One time I was given the wrong address and was speaking to an excited client for about 30 minutes, having them think they were about to get a new machine.
ENX: What would you say is the strangest thing that ever happened on a job?
Mendoza: That would be a bird flying right into the box truck on I-10, and a vulture flying right into the windshield going 65 MPH-plus on the highway. Luckily, it didn’t fully penetrate the windshield.
Sundara: Some of the locations where we have to deliver machines are in the middle of nowhere—farm land, random trailers, new construction, oil companies and new home construction.
ENX: Who is the best driver?
Sundara: Gabe is the best driver; he knows all of the shortcuts and he’s great when it comes to maneuvering the truck around for unloading.
ENX: John, you’ve handled numerous duties at Stargel. Which is your favorite and why?
Sundara: My favorite would be training to demonstrate new functions the machines can perform that clients never knew they had.
ENX: Jay, what do you like about your job and your teammates?
Ratliff: I like the fact that we are in sync all the time. We don’t even have to talk to communicate. They want to get the job done just as much as I do.
ENX: Gabe, what’s your fondest memory from working at Stargel?
Mendoza: That would be winning Employee of the Year alongside my delivery partner, Jay, as it was unexpected. It was the first time the delivery team had won the award.
ENX: How do you like to relax, John?
Sundara: After a long, hard day of work I like to cook to relax.
ENX: You were a fantastic sprinter in high school, Jay. Have Gabe or John ever challenged you to a race? If they did, what would be the outcome?
Ratliff: Never. I would light them up. It wouldn’t be a competition. Respectfully.
Sundara: I’m slow, so I would finish last.
ENX: Gabe, you’re a diehard Houston Astros fan. Who is/was your favorite player and why?
Mendoza: My all-time favorite Astro would be Craig Biggio. Growing up, watching him play second base inspired me to play baseball (only Little League) but it grew my love for the sport.
