Satellites Unlimited

Growth Corner: Nicholas Killian

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 16:15:30 GMT

Nicholas Killian’s Path to Field Service Manager

We’re excited to spotlight Nicholas Killian’s journey from Technician to Field Service Manager (FSM) in today’s Growth Corner! After 15 years of dedicated service at Satellites Unlimited as a Technician, Nicholas has transitioned to FSM as of May 2024. This promotion underscores his unwavering dedication to his team and marks a natural evolution in his career. Below, Nicholas provides valuable insights gleaned from his journey to FSM:

What was your previous role within SUI?

Field Technician. With over 14 years of experience as a Technician, he took on the added responsibility of Trade Development Specialist (TDS) upon the inception of the training initiative in June 2023 up to his promotion. Collaborating with the Training department, he conducted a comprehensive 2-week in-field training program for trainees, imparting in-depth knowledge of the trade and mentoring them on becoming proficient leaders in their field. His role as TDS has empowered him to elevate his entire team to the status of Lead Dog as an FSM.

What made you want to move to this new position?

It seemed like the right time—everything lined up perfectly. I’ve been working with fellow technicians, and it felt like a great chance to do new things.

Were you part of the Manager In Training (MIT) program for this role?

Yes, I was in the MIT program for a month. It really made me excited about assuming the role.

Were there any unexpected discoveries you made about the role that caught your attention?

Yes, I’ve learned just how much time and effort are required. As a Technician, you don’t see everything, and now I realize how much more complex the FSM role is. It’s about putting yourself out there and being ready to handle the unexpected.

What do you enjoy most about your new role?

I love being able to help my techs when they’re stuck. It’s fulfilling to be that missing piece that helps them move forward.

Which skills from your previous role have been advantageous in this new position?

Everything I learned as a Technician is needed. You have to be able to deal with people, relate to them, and change your approach based on who you’re working with. Most importantly, understanding the trade of those you lead is essential for providing the support they need, especially when they face challenges.

What advice would you offer to individuals aspiring to progress within the company?

Don’t move up just to move up. Don’t rush it. Check your motivations and ensure that any progression is a natural fit for you, rather than solely driven by money.

Nicholas’s story is a powerful reminder that growth within our company is about timing, preparation, and the right motivations. Let’s celebrate Nicholas’s well-deserved promotion and look forward to the continued success that awaits him!

Employee Spotlight: Chris Harrington

Wed, 17 May 2023 18:20:15 GMT

Traveling Down Success Lane, One Day At A Time

Avid travelers and Lead Dogs have many commonalities! They both are dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic about their goals, whether traveling or staying ahead of the rest. Our Command Center Supervisor, Chris Harrington, is the poster child for both. He loves traveling (he has visited 38 states and nine countries) and is determined to be a Lead Dog in his role.

A Lead Dog to Chris is someone who consistently operates to exceed expectations. An individual that stays focused on the goal and pushes ahead of it, ensuring they don’t get distracted along the way. This definition encompasses the way Chris operates.

What started as a friendly referral became a career in Satellites Unlimited country. Chris started in an admin role but journeyed forward to dispatching, routing, and call center management – landing him on a 22-year and counting stretch. He currently holds the title of Command Center Supervisor, overseeing operations for our Operation Coordinators and Route Central team. His job is to ensure everyone has the tools to succeed and all offices are supported on a daily basis.

Being a Lead Dog, you must have the resources and skills necessary to succeed. Getting a job done takes time management, organization, and a desire to see the task through. Chris is no stranger to these essential skills. Organization is ingrained in his personality so much so that disorganization is chaotic and a source of frustration for him. Creating checklists, scheduling out his tasks and focus times, and even arriving at work before his team does are just a few of the ways Chris sets an example and achieves success as a Supervisor.

Reminiscing on the road traveled, his 22 years have allowed him to see the company's evolution. One of our core values at Satellites Unlimited is that we are adaptable. Chris has witnessed this value in the many adjustments made to stay up-to-date in technology, recruiting, and operations. These changes paved the way for improvement in the active listening of employees in decision-making. We continually work to incorporate our people in our operational decisions. According to Chris, SUI's ability to adapt to the times makes our culture unique.

Like our culture, Chris lives a unique life outside of Satellites Unlimited. He lives on a farm where any day could begin with the overzealous screech of hungry donkeys in his window. This living arrangement can cause a fun day or one filled with the desire to escape the craziness. Outside of this, Chris is a “history nerd” or, in more familiar terms, a history buff. The pre-1850s era is his preference, but he finds enjoyment in learning about history overall.

As previously alluded to, Chris is an avid traveler. He wants to visit all 50 states and as many countries as he can in his lifetime. The goal of owning an RV and traveling with his dog by his side is on his bucket list, which is his long-term intention once he retires. He deserves it with all the hard work he puts in.

Windows down, hair flying in the wind, and a heart of determination can lead anyone to a rewarding journey down Success Lane just like Chris, where the scenery alone will captivate you.

Employee Spotlight: Nicholas Teeling

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:43:13 GMT

Many Positions Held, One Ultimate Goal

At Satellites Unlimited, we pride ourselves on the availability of growth within the company, and Routing Specialist Nicholas (Nick) Teeling is the epitome of the many doors that can open for all. Nick is going on 19 years with us this month. He started as a technician in 2004 but has held titles ranging from Warehouse Manager to Calibrated Trainer to Recruiter before arriving at his current role as Routing Specialist.

There are many great things about working at Satellites Unlimited, but the best part of working here, to Nick, is the opportunities to grow within the company in various roles. Through hard work and determination, the possibilities are endless. Much of Nick's success is due to his willingness to learn and motivation to work hard. Each new role shined a light on the different aspects of the company, from being in the field to working in the Corporate office.

Along with the many growth opportunities available, one can only imagine the plethora of company changes Nick has witnessed in his 19 years at Satellites Unlimited. The most notable being the leaps taken in technology. Back when he started here, technicians were responsible for supplying their tools. Not only was this cumbersome for our field force, but it was also a turn-off for many. Nonetheless, those days are long gone. Our technicians receive the tools they need to fulfill their orders and extensive support to help make their lives easier. The moves taken to lift the burden off of our technicians are something that Nick admires about how we take action from the feedback we gather from our workforce.

There is still room to improve as a company, even with these improvements. Nick believes we can do more for our technicians as we are experiencing difficulty retaining technicians, especially since the pandemic. One way he suggested we could improve is through our training program. We could provide our field force with more extensive training to better equip them with the skills they need to fulfill their role effectively and with satisfaction.

Nick has always been passionate about our technicians. His current role still gives him the ability to provide support to our field force. The function of a Routing Specialist is essential to the holistic view of the different routes our technicians get assigned. In simple terms, he helps manage the routing calendars by tracking the work inflow and managing the workflow of route assignments to limit overbooking.

This role can be strenuous with the vast number of work orders we fulfill daily. However, Nick brings his Lead Dog mentality to work and focuses on completing one task at a time. This method is one he has found effective in handling the task load. That is what being a Lead Dog is all about. Being able to assess the situation, strategize, and get the job done so you can produce the best results.

Outside of his valuable contributions to Satellites Unlimited, Nick dabbles in many things. For instance, he plays the guitar and video games in his spare time and cooks. Cooking, however, is where he shines most. It is even a tradition for him to cook an entire Thanksgiving meal for his family. Preparing the full spread for this annual holiday feast brings him tremendous joy. Like the doors that have opened for Nick in his Satellites Unlimited career, there is nothing better than opening that oven door and witnessing your Lead Dog effort basting in juice at the bottom of the pan!

Food Bags for Those in Need

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 19:28:29 GMT

Lead Dogs Lend A Hand!

We have partnered with our founding owners, Roddy and Janice McKinney, to help feed those in our footprint that are not as fortunate as we are. Thank you to Roddy and Janice for supplying the food needed to fill 'Food Bags' that will then be distributed in areas of need within our geographic footprint.

Our Corporate team members are always happy to assist those needing a helping hand!

20 Year Anniversary Spotlight - Shanka Bridges

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:50:46 GMT

"Steps, Leaps, & Timeless Connections"

by Grant Hobin

Many will note the historical significance of July 20th in reference to astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first men to walk on the moon in 1969. It was an unprecedented journey that in conclusion, led to one of the most recognizable quotes ever spoken on airwaves. As Neil Armstrong took his first steps, he uttered “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” That one moment in time culminated after years of research, training, and testing.

Satellites Unlimited was founded by the McKinney family in 1994. Eight years later, a former car and door to door cable salesman took a “small step” towards a new career at our Mobile office location. His name was Reginald “Shanka” Bridges and today marks his 20 year anniversary, making him the longest tenured technician in our organization’s history.

Anyone that has ever had the privilege to speak to, or meet Shanka, walks away from that encounter knowing that they’ve met someone truly special. He exudes a fervorous enthusiasm that engages your spirit and leaves you with a self esteem boost. Things that didn’t once seem possible are now a plausible plan of action with a certain clarity. Shanka has always been a driven individual, crediting his drive to the love he has for his circle of family and friends. This is a trait that resonated with our founder Roddy McKinney very early on. You can’t tell Shanka’s SUI story without including the special relationship that they share.

Both coming from a sales background, the two found common ground early on. Their unique ability to connect and inspire others seemingly had them tied to the hip. Shanka admits that he wouldn’t be working here if it wasn’t for the support that Roddy provided to him on many occasions. In moments of organizational restructuring through the years, he was coaxed by many to leave the organization in search of “greener pastures” but Roddy was there to put his arm around him, proceeding to tell him “that they’d be back”. Time and time again, Shanka saw techs come back to the organization that had previously left. When similar moments arose again, Shanka would tell the other technicians, “That old guy knows what he is talking about.” He is a firm believer that if you stay the course, never give up, and continuously seek growth; “it always comes back around.”

Shanka’s nickname was derived from a funny moment when his mother was pregnant around the holidays and they were cooking a holiday ham. His said that his dad exclaimed in a Budweiser induced state that their baby boy was like the “Shanka” ham in the oven. He virtually had been given his nickname before he was ever even born. One of the turning moments in his life was when he lost his father in 2008. The challenge of that moment was a point of daily deflation for him and things were not going well. He was driving in a blank stare one day as a grown man not knowing what to do without his daddy when Roddy called him and asked him to tell him about his dad. When Shanka was done, Roddy told him that that was a great story and that he should write it down. Shanka sent it to Roddy who then shared it with the DISH team at a meeting. The executives were blown away and were left wondering if their kids would share such things when they were long gone.

Shanka has experienced a plethora of success in his SUI career but that mindset was well established before he ever joined us in 2002. As a cable service salesman, Shanka was ranked #1 out of more than 15,000 salesmen in the country. If opened up internationally, he would have ended up as the #1 tech worldwide. HBO and Cinemax were so impressed by this, that they sent him and his bride Kim on an all expenses paid cruise to the Bahamas, complete with spending money. As a side gig, he is still well known in Mobile as a radio personality doing popular commercials for several automotive dealerships in the area.

He is a man who incorporates many of the things he has learned on the job and applies those same principles to his personal life. Many of the safety philosophies we deploy here are mainstays in the Bridges household. Shanka often says, “that it’s your family that drives you to the next job; not your van.” He takes credit for coming up with one of our main Core Values back in 2009 when he was asked to contribute to our company brochure. Shanka specifically referenced adaptability as one of our main values as an organization and attributed much of our growth to that.

Shanka and his wife Kim will be celebrating 30 years of marriage in September. Through the years at SUI, they have raised three children, LeDarrius (32), Destin (29), and DeyJah (21) who is a senior at UAB, majoring in clinical psychology. His family is his main motivation and there’s nothing he would rather do, than to get the kids over to the house so they can all hang out with one another. Provide him with some groceries to grill, with a call to his kids, and life simply gets no better than that for Shanka. What started as a small career step, has proven to be a life changing event and huge leap for him and his family.

"From Life on the Road, to a Humble Abode"

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:44:12 GMT

"From Life on the Road, to a Humble Abode"

by Grant Hobin

Grenada's Clayton Henley has experienced a wealth of success early on in his Satellites Unlimited career and it has led to a series of life changing events for his family. Clayton spent five years on the road in the pipeline industry and it was a difficult journey, spending so much of his working time in other states, away from his family. He was on the road so much, he once had twelve W2's in a single year from working out of state.

While the income was great; Clayton missed his family and took a job with the water company. His pay was drastically reduced but all that mattered to Clayton was spending time with his wife of two years, Lauren, and his daughter Mary Kathryn. The love for his family superseded any amount of money he could earn and his family has always been there in support of what he wanted to accomplish.

Clayton had a dream of owning his own home and starting a family. While a simple notion, the dream seemed fairly distant in the stark reality before joining SUI. Clayton has never had a problem rolling up his sleeves and putting in a solid day at work. He is from humble beginnings and the value of work ethic was instilled in him early on. Since he's joined our team in October, his life has changed a good bit.

He has had a home moved to property he had previously purchased and is now the proud father of young Wyatt Henley who is now five months old. Lauren is currently a stay at home Mom and Clayton is the sole provider for his family. He enjoys going to work every day and attributes that to the dynamic flow in the life of a technician. Every day is different and each day is abundant with opportunities. He describes himself as a natural leader and looks forward to developing into a General Manager someday.

The most recent addition to the Henley abode, is a zero turn lawn mower to take care of the property that Clayton takes so much pride in. He can be seen after work taking his daughter for a ride on that machine and it feels so good to do that after so many years on the road, pondering how he would achieve the simple things in life.

Lead Dog Spotlight - Natori Mordica

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 14:35:02 GMT

"Family Focused & Fearless Woman"

by Grant Hobin

Our technicians are the lifeblood of our business and the tasks they perform on a daily basis, can easily be described as grueling. Whether working in the outdoor elements, or climbing into furnace type attics, or crawling through the dark, inhabited spaces under the home; our technicians have the innate ability to be a customer facing ambassador for our brand while still undertaking tasks that would make many shudder.

Gainesville's Natori Mordica has been with us since 1/7/2021 and she has developed into a Tier 3 technician who contributes in a multitude of ways up to and including working OOM over the past two months in our Dothan location. She has continued to excel throughout her career and prove that in a male dominated industry, anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Natori fields curiosity from her customers every single day when they see her smiling face at their doorsteps. They are always surprised to see a female technician and Natori loves it. She loves proving that she can provide a best in class customer service experience, rivaling that of even some of the most tenured technicians at Satellites Unlimited.

Natori previously worked at the Tallahassee Airport for two years as a Ramp Supervisor and she then found a better career opportunity in Corrections as a Transport Officer. She was responsible for monitoring inmates and she did so for ten years before finding a home at SUI. The prison system could be described as a challenging environment to work in, but Natori has grown accustomed to overcoming adverse situations and challenging the status quo.

Her inspiration has always been her family. They have always supported her dreams and ideas, and their bond is unbreakable. Natori was extremely close to her Mom who passed away in 2017, as her Mom was a pillar of strength for the family, raising Natori and her sister on her own. Natori has been a single parent herself for 23 years and her daughter is currently enrolled in nursing school. Natori's aspiration when she was younger was to be a nurse and her daughter is on her way to living out that dream. Natori couldn't be more proud of the young lady she is becoming.

Natori looks forward to growing in her new career and blazing the path for a future generation of female technicians. She says that the Gainesville office always makes her feel comfortable and she now aspires to advance into management. She wants to have the ability to mentor others and lead. The lineage of fearless leadership runs deep in her family and Natori continues to honor the family legacy each and every day. Unlike the dark crawlspaces she navigates or hot attics she works in, Natori wants to be that cool and collected leader who serves as a shining light for others.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Daniel Wiener

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:31:05 GMT

Hole-In-One Customer Service

by Grant Hobin

Ocala's Daniel Wiener has played golf since a very young age and has had the privilege of playing all over the country. His journey started when as a young man in Ohio, Dan's mom introduced him to the game. She worked at the local courthouse and would drop him off for the day to hit the links. Dan became very good and this has provided him with a lifetime of opportunities, traveling the country.

Dan is no stranger to the realm of customer service either. He started his customer service career with the company GameStop. Through the years, Dan moved up within the organization, eventually becoming a member of the corporate team and relocating to California. His primary responsibility was to open new locations all along the West coast, ensuring each setup would provide the level of service notorious with the brand. During the time that Dan was out on the West coast, his parents moved from Ohio to a retirement community in Central Florida. After enjoying ten years of West coast weather and many of the 921 golf courses throughout California, Dan joined his parents in the state that boasts the most golf courses in the U.S.

Dan's outgoing personality was the perfect fit for the technician role when he joined our team on 6/22/2018. He said that the outdoor lifestyle, variety of work, and the ability to meet different people daily, was what appealed to him pertaining to this line of work. He loves being able to focus on one customer at a time and finds joy in building that rapport while on site. Whether they play golf or are huge Michigan fans (Dan of course loves Ohio State); Dan finds commonalities of discussion at every turn.

Dan approaches each day as a business owner. He studies his metrics and seeks every avenue to diversify his revenue stream. He says that it all starts with your attitude and that "If you think positive; positive things are bound to happen." Dan is a cheerleader for our new hires and goes out of his way to welcome them to the team. His positivity has been described as infectious by some and as the Ace in the deck. Dan Wiener, the Midwest golfer and customer service guru, who traveled the country abroad, starts his day with a clear vision of hitting that hole in one on every appointment of the day.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Jamie Bishop

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:27:46 GMT

A Dad's Devotion to His Daughter

by Grant Hobin

Oftentimes, the complexities of life can infiltrate our natural cognitive instinct and for lack of a better term, "muddy the waters" of our daily decisions. The network of water channels that make up any downstream variation of every common river system, pose challenges and require decisiveness to arrive at a preferred destination.

Jamie Bishop; our Warehouse Manager in Montgomery became convicted of an extremely important decision over five years ago that served as the purpose of his life going forward. Jamie worked as a line supervisor at a large scale bakery operation (one of 46 bakeries around the country), producing many of the name brand products you find on the shelves at your local grocery store and had dedicated nine years of his life to the business. The business was demanding and he would often go seven or eight months without a weekend day off.

One day, Jamie heard words out of his young daughter's mouth that echoed loud and clear, altering his future career path. His daughter said that she felt she couldn't have a conversation with him because she felt like she didn't know him. Jamie quickly realized that the decision was really not that complex at all. Regardless of any other challenges that arose from the decision, he would do whatever he could to gain quality time for his daughter. This led him to Satellites Unlimited. The work/life balance that Jamie found, changed his life and helped to create an unbreakable father/daughter bond.

GM Kevin Parker said that it has been such a relief to have Jamie as a part of his staff. He owns his side of the business and helps in any capacity. Considered a leader in the operation, Jamie often has feedback conducive to positive change and helping to provide vision for the operation. Jamie feels that his side of the business is a direct reflection of his last name and he takes pride in his work. His own father instilled that in him at a very early age.

Jamie loves the positive culture of the company and the people he works with. Most of all, he loves the life that SUI has helped to provide. He has his time back, and with it, his family. He can be seen on the weekends, with his wife of nearly eight years and his daughter exploring the narrow channels in and around Lake Martin in their kayaks. What once seemed like an impossible passage in Jamie's life through muddied water is now crystal clear and easily navigated.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Josh Webb

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:24:45 GMT

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Our team members' needs are paramount in priority and in our business that never sleeps, it is imperative to approach each need with a servant's heart. As a manager, due to the sheer volume of team members', and customers' needs, it can be overwhelming at times, but prioritizing those needs and taking a deep breath can go a long way. Few handle this better than FSM Josh Webb in our Albertville location whose sense of humor is a key component to extinguishing each difficult situation and taking care of our people.

Josh started with SUI on 2/26/2016 as a technician and expanded his skills through the years, until he was called to lead as an FSM in November of 2019. He loves the freedom that the job provides whether as a technician or as an FSM and admits that he has experienced tremendous professional growth since joining the organization six years ago.

A man of many talents, Josh can be seen cleaning the warehouse when necessary, installing bathroom fixtures, working on a van or forklift, essentially committing himself to whatever is necessary to maintain operations and making sure our people have what they need to be successful.

Josh gets excited when he sees new techs advancing in tier for the first time or accomplishing tasks that suggest incremental progress in development is taking place with the people he leads. He loves celebrating their wins and enthusiastically teaching them how to conquer many of the obstacles they face. Josh does it with a smile, and enjoys sharing laughter with his team on a daily basis. This oftentimes helps Josh AND his people get through the day. The "Father of Psychology" William James may have said it best when he said "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing". Josh uses his sense of humor as a tool in his interactions and this helps to relieve some of the stress of the job for him and his people.

Albertville, AL has a unique nickname. It's known as the "Fire Hydrant Capital of the World". Right down the street from SUI, the Mueller Co. has produced over 4 million fire hydrants, hence the nickname. A "hydrant" is defined as a fixture by which a hose may be attached for the point of extinguishing fires.

When it comes to SUI operations in the Albertville office, Josh Webb serves as the fire hydrant or fixture for that office with his sense of humor serving as an escape valve for the pressures of the job and life in general.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Cephus Prophitt

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:21:53 GMT

Faith Driven Servant Leader

by Grant Hobin

There isn't a team member more influential in SUI's corporate building than Cephus Prophitt, the man responsible for our corporate building maintenance. Let's define maintenance first and foremost. Maintenance is replacing light bulbs, cleaning restrooms, emptying trash, fixing anything that's broke, setting up every office, accommodating any requests made by other team members, and conversing with our people, asking about their lives and sharing wisdom so profound that you can't help but lend a listening ear.

We're all busy in support of our office teams and technicians and it's hard to slow down with the demands of our business. This man seems to always make the time to deliver a timely joke or say a kind word as you are passing by. It is a distinct privilege to have the kindred spirit of Cephus injected into our lives on a daily basis and without him, our company would be without a vital source of influence that epitomizes our Core Values.

We are all a byproduct of our environment. Sharks will only grow as large as the tanks they are placed in. They will never outgrow their environment. The SUI corporate environment is allowed to flourish because of the consistent execution of and oftentimes, overlooked, mundane tasks that are required to keep our headquarters operating in the capacity necessary to be successful.

Cephus will be celebrating 17 years with us on March 7th and how he ended up here is an interesting story. After working at Avondale Mills, in Alex City, AL for 19 years; he then worked for an electrical supply company for eight and a half years. He lost his job and after being out of work for a month, he solicited the help of his son Jonathan. Jonathan gave his dad's information to his mother-in-law and she put together an application package that was sent out to the area abroad.

Cephus, a man of faith since 6/30/62, had been praying about the situation and he was pleasantly surprised when SUI called him seemingly out of nowhere and inquired about his application. Upon meeting the CFO Tommy Burleson and Roddy McKinney, he was hired and has been happy to call SUI his home for many years. He said that he never dreads coming to work and enjoys the people he works with. He said that that is one of the differences from the places he has worked in the past. There was often conflict, drama, and tension and he has experienced none of that during his time here. This difference has been the culture of our company.

One day while working, Lee McKinney told him that it was a blessing to have him here and Cephus kindly looked up and told Lee that God put him here. He still feels that way and he's a man of conviction. Cephus has been a preacher for 14 years and has served in that capacity for seven years at his current church, Church of God of Prophecy in Pinson, AL.

Cephus will celebrate 37 years of marriage to his wife Debbie on March 9th and has two children, Jonathan and Gina. Gina worked here as a receptionist while she was going to school and Jonathan is a worship leader at a local church. Cephus Prophitt, the man who can be seen in the shadows cleaning or fixing something is a man of many talents but the skill that sets him most apart, is the art of serving others, whether it be serving 138, his congregation, or his Lord and Savior. Known as our "maintenance man", he does his best maintenance work on others.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Ernesto Ramirez

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:12:50 GMT

The Ultimate Investor

by Grant Hobin

Ernesto Ramirez is an FSM out of our Birmingham, AL location and he has made a concerted effort to serve as an investor in his spare time. Ernesto started with Satellites Unlimited on 9/20/2013 and his goals were relatively small when he first started. Ernesto worked at a chicken plant for many years prior to joining our organization and simply wanted the opportunity to have unlimited earning potential.

Before joining SUI, Ernesto used his bilingual abilities to afford him his first cell phone and first vehicle. Ernesto was paid to translate for the Latino communities and it is something he has done since he was in middle school. Back then, Ernesto did it because he had a true passion for people and wanted to help them overcome their language barrier. Over time, he had opportunities to produce a side income because of this skill set, and it allowed him to translate significantly more impactful conversations of the legal and financial variety.

Starting in 2013, Ernesto faced the same challenges as many of our new hires, as he had zero experience in this field of work. Quickly, he rose through the ranks and became a tier 5 technician; a designation he maintained up until the time he became an FSM in November 2018. He came close to quitting this career when he struggled to tier up through the first six months but his perseverance paid off in the long run.

Ernesto continues to translate in his spare time and he now has multiple rental properties that produce residual income every single month. He is proud of his journey but his roots keep him humble and he has found another investment that he describes as "addicting". He enjoys investing his time and effort into the techs of the Birmingham and Albertville locations. He remembers how hard it was to start here and he knows how fulfilling this career can be as it has provided him and his family the opportunity to live a different type of lifestyle. He enjoys providing that vision for every new hire and seeing them accomplish feats that even they didn't think were possible. This serves as his motivation every single day and it allows Ernesto to realize what he is most passionate about.

Ernesto Ramirez, the young middle school aged kid with a passion for helping people, who has invested in himself, and invested in real estate, is most happy depositing his time and effort into those around him. To him, that is worth more than any amount of money in the world.

Lead Dog Spotlight-Scott Rooks

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:10:11 GMT

Lead Dog Adaptation & Attitude

by Grant Hobin

Today, we recognize a team member who has worn many hats throughout his tenure here. Scott Rooks, the Warehouse Manager from our Mobile, AL, location, started with SUI on May 18, 2012 as a technician. Scott had previously lived in Michigan and moved in with his brother who was a Naval Engineer.

Scott has learned that our industry remains very fluid and adapting to change is a necessary component of success for every team member. Scott has served in a variety of capacities, starting as a technician; hired as an FSM in 2015, completing Samsung fulfillment work orders from 2018-2020, then back as a DBS technician until finally accepting a position as a Warehouse Manager in September of 2020. This has given him an invaluable perspective into many aspects of our business and Scott continues to pass along this knowledge to the team members in Mobile.

Scott's outlook has always remained positive in the face of change and his outlook is refreshingly insightful. Scott enjoys working for SUI and attributes his positive thinking to his experience in many roles. He believes that despite where you work; you will be presented with various challenges and obstacles. Your attitude in dealing with this adversity is a choice that we are all in command of.

Scott appreciates the stability that the company offers and enjoys mentoring our people. Mobile GM, Chase Oliver, said that Scott has been instrumental in working with the technicians and FSM's of his operation from a development standpoint. As Scott has developed himself through a number of different roles; he finds joy in recognizing other's achievements as they develop in their own roles here. He understands that familiarity with warehouse procedure has the ability to define the paths of our FSM's and new hires and he challenges himself to make sure each team member has the knowledge they need, to be successful.

New Beginnings for the Collie Family

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 19:00:25 GMT

A Story of Hope & Inspiration

by Grant Hobin

I hope this message finds each of you with a sense of self worth and uncompromising relentlessness in achieving your dreams. We love hearing and sharing our team member's stories of resilience. These stories are a testament to the dedication and perseverance of each individual as they navigate their respective intrinsic compass throughout their personal journeys. Life is full of unexpected circumstances and soul searching moments that test the intestinal fortitude of all of us. Oftentimes, these specific moments help to define who we are and regardless of the decisions we make, can serve as a valuable lesson for our futures.

FSM Dustin Collie, and his new bride, Ashley, recently became new homeowners, settling into a newly constructed home in Calhoun, LA, about forty minutes West of the Monroe office. This was a monumental achievement for Dustin, Ashley, and their three children, Alexis, Mathew, and McKenzie. While moving into a new home right before the holidays would always be worthy of celebration, it meant more for Dustin and his personal journey to arrive at that moment in time.

Dustin, who was hired on 4/22/2016, had worked on oil rigs prior to arriving at SUI. Though you might have heard about life on this wonderful floating platform, there are a few things you might not be aware of. The first thing to note is that life on an oil rig is not a party and is in fact a gamble with one’s own life. Though the sentence might sound a bit exaggerated, it is not all untrue, for one constantly encounters harsh working conditions while offshore on an oil rig. The rigorous work combined with time away from family can oftentimes lead to a lifestyle unconducive to consistent work/life balance.

Dustin made the decision to leave that life behind because he wanted to spend more time with his children and he needed a change in his life. He has overcome numerous obstacles to get to where he is today and he has no problem sharing his story of real life perseverance with others to help provide the guidance they may need as they venture out on their exclusive paths. When Dustin hears of someone facing certain trials and tribulations, or struggling to put their past behind them, he lends a listening ear and shares his testimony in an effort to help them steer clear of these common pitfalls we can all face.

General Manager Mike James attributes Dustin's success to his open and honest communication demonstrated with each of his team members. He has grown as an individual and as a leader in our organization by committing himself to self-improvement, being a dedicated father, and being the husband he has always wanted to be. Dustin is very humbled by the little things. Things as simple as his children, each having their own bedroom, and having a garage to park his car.

Moving out of their two bedroom trailer is a dream come true for the Collie family. They have a fresh start. A fresh start made possible by a decision Dustin made many years ago when he found himself at a set of life's crossroads. Dustin hasn't let his past define him and looks forward to a bright future with his new wife in their new home with his intrinsic compass leading the way to a life worth fulfilling.

SUI partnered w/Toys For Tots

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:55:53 GMT

'Tis The Season!

by Grant Hobin

SUI celebrated another Toys for Tots campaign this year. We love knowing that the children of the respective communities we service will wake up to something special underneath their tree during the Christmas Season.

Giving back to people in need or to people that may find themselves in unfortunate circumstances is the greatest gift of all. Our team members came together for a wonderful cause greater than themselves and we couldn't be prouder. They demonstrated the same love and compassion each one has for our people in a support capacity every day.

#givingback #toysfortots #thesuifamily #'tistheseason #corevalues #santashelpers

Shane Monk & Antwon Dickens

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:54:31 GMT

15 Years of Service!

by Grant Hobin

Dothan GM Tyler Arnett wanted to recognize two of his team members who are celebrating 15 years of service in 2021. General Antwon Dickens joined SUI on August 8th, 2006 and Shane Monk joined SUI on November 28, 2006.

Both of these gentlemen have experienced their fair share of success since joining our organization many years ago. Antwon was the first recipient of the Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog award in 2015. He was instrumental in OSS training for multiple offices back in 2014 and has mentored many techs throughout his tenure here.

Shane is well traveled throughout our footprint, serving many OOM campaigns and has been a primary internet trainer for close to a decade. Shane has assisted in the training facility and has contributed in many ways to the success of our ESOP.

On behalf of everyone at Satellites Unlimited, we thank you for your many years of dedicated service to our customers, our offices, and our organization! Happy 15 year Anniversary!

Lead Dog Spotlight-Kenny Walters

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:46:45 GMT

"Dedication to our People"

by Grant Hobin

Here at Satellites Unlimited, we love showcasing the hard work and dedication that our team members pour into every working day. Hattiesburg's Warehouse Manager Kenny Walters has been a shining example of those aforementioned qualities. Kenny started with SUI on 6/4/2014 as a technician assistant, and was promoted to a technician a little more than a year later on 10/9/2015. Kenny has been in the role of WM for a little less than a year but has demonstrated a relentless commitment to excellence for our people during that time period.

General Manager Ryan Rogers said "Kenny goes above and beyond to make sure that not only the technicians have everything they need, but making sure the office warehouse is fully stocked and his inventory numbers are exactly as they are supposed to be". Ryan mentioned how much he has enjoyed seeing Kenny develop and excel in his new role.

I witnessed Kenny's exquisite dedication on November 17th, 2021 while I was visiting Mr. John Richert in Poplarville, MS. John needed a rarely used piece of equipment (OTA module for a 222) late in the day and Kenny wasn't the least bit hesitant of traveling 45 minutes out of his way to deliver it to John. Kenny was getting ready to go home for the day when the need for this item arose, yet Kenny gladly delivered the equipment with a smile. Ironically, we had just got done filming the now infamous video of John Richert explaining how his "smile" was a vital component in his OSS success.

Kenny admitted that he doesn't seek the spotlight and prefers to quietly do his job. The interactions with Kenny are notably positive and when I asked him why he approaches each day that way; he provided some enlightening insight. He said "If you're negative, you're going to bring everyone else down" and that "there's always someone in worse shape than you". Kenny mentioned that being alive was a win unto itself and that there was always something good to celebrate. He also mentioned how much he enjoyed the people he worked with and how that was the driving factor for his tenure. Kenny, we appreciate your dedication to our people and the positive attitude in which you approach each day!

Lead Dog Spotlight-Stephen Jenkins

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:26:42 GMT

"No Excuses"

by Grant Hobin

Today's Lead Dog Spotlight showcases Albertville technician Stephen Jenkins. Stephen has been a technician with SUI since 2007 and has been a consistent performer since his arrival. There is no shortage of accolades for the three time Oscar winner. Over the past five years, Stephen has been named a Top 20 Tech of the Quarter eight times and a Tech of the Month winner ten times. One of Stephen's Oscars from 2020 was for his Lead Dog performance in the "On Site Sales" category. His plethora of accomplishments should be enough to inspire any technician, but what he has had to overcome each day may be the most impressive feat of them all.

Stephen was born tone deaf, meaning he had an inability to hear high pitch sound. This never kept Stephen from doing the things that he loved like competing in golf, basketball, and baseball. To this day, Stephen is an avid sports fan and still plays competitive golf, most recently winning the 19th Annual Memorial Cup Men's Team Match Play Championship. Stephen's nickname is "Mamba", in tribute to Kobe Bryant and his killer instinct on the hardwood. He is a true admirer of the work ethic and grit that the great ones vigilantly display under the bright lights of the most competitive environments.

Adversity made an appearance in 2017, when Stephen was playing with his oldest son Chase in the swimming pool. Chase hit him in the head on his left ear and Stephen lost ALL of his hearing. Stephen didn't realize it at the time but that left ear was his strongest ear, and he was now classified as legally deaf. Stephen had 0 percent speech recognition and had to get an implant. Even with the current implant, he doesn't comprehend most speech without reading lips.

Stephen refused to let this debilitating condition dictate his future. Despite his new circumstance, Stephen challenged himself to be the best version of himself each day. He strives to be the best husband, father, and employee he can be. He is strong in all aspects of the business but he especially excels in OSS solutions for his customers. How is someone incapable of hearing able to offer solutions and perform at a Lead Dog level? Stephen attributes it to his ability to connect with his customers, and his innate professionalism while fulfilling a service appointment. Stephen's customers trust his professional opinion because of how he treats them.

Offering solutions is a necessary component of our business and Stephen has demonstrated that despite difficult obstacles, anyone is capable of performing at a high level through persistent work ethic, and an intrinsic desire to be the best. Stephen doesn't believe in making excuses. Much like the sports stars he idolized as a kid, Stephen does his best work when the lights are brightest. In turn, this has Stephen consistently making appearances on SUI's brightest stage, the Oscars, year after year.

Lead Dog Spotlight - Mike Holbein

grant.hobin@suidish.com (Grant Hobin) — Tue, 10 May 2022 17:58:40 GMT

A Family Affair!

by Grant Hobin

Today's Lead Dog Spotlight showcases Crestview technician Michael Holbein. I was fortunate to be able to spend a little bit of time with Mike down in Perdido Key, FL while he was installing a one room install for Mr. David McGhee. I quickly learned that this was a man that took a great deal of pride in his work. It was extremely evident by how his van looked and how he approached his craft while meticulously paying attention to every little detail of the job. Mike's pre-site survey has a pre-site survey and the word preparation doesn't even begin to explain Mike's process. Mike has been a technician with SUI since February 10, 2020 but is a long time veteran of the industry. Mike is originally from Ohio and has been in the telecommunications field over the past twenty years.

We all know that our technicians take pride in providing for their families and oftentimes, their family serves as their main motivation over the course of their careers. Personal inspirations are often intertwined with the goals of each respective household and many dreams are made possible through the working hands of each technician employed at Satellites Unlimited.

Our business while employee owned was started by the McKinney family in the basement of their home back in 1994. The entire family played a huge part in building the business. While Roddy's journey is well documented, it's important to remember that Lee and Danny McKinney grew up in the business, responsible for various tasks, ultimately leading our organization at the CEO level.

Michael's story brings this concept to life as his three boys, ages nine, eleven, and twelve are very involved in the business. When I was talking to Mike about his boys, he was quick to point out that "they all put in here". Instantly inquisitive, I asked Mike to elaborate on this newfound revelation revealed to me. He told me that his twelve year old pre-downloads all of his Hoppers. Mike has also taught him how to build the dishes and sight them in. Mike explains to his boys that these seemingly little tasks will do one of two things. Get Dad home sooner or provide additional opportunities for them by saving him time and allowing him the opportunity to do more work. The boys are even involved in cleaning his van and at their most recent Career Day at school, two of the boys went dressed as Satellite technicians!

Mike just recently bought a new house complete with a small pond and he lives the farm life. He has chickens and other various farm animals on his new homestead. He has purchased a new truck and is proud of what he has been able to provide for his family. Mike never really gets away from work and he admitted to me that he "nerds out over this stuff". As an example, he showed me his man cave that is complete with a variety of DISH and cable components that he has on display next to his dart board. The man breathes the business and he has already instilled in his children; the value of hard work, acquiring skills and additional knowledge to equip them for whatever their bright futures may hold. Much like how our company started twenty seven years ago, Mike has made his business a family affair and the possibilities remain endless for the three young men he is helping to raise.

Celebrating ESOP Month 2020!

alexandra.battito@suidish.com (Alexandra Battito) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:21:19 GMT

December is ESOP Month at MCC!

By Joel Davis, CFO

Philanthropy | Lead Dogs Donate to the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama

alexandra.battito@suidish.com (Alexandra Battito) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 15:33:59 GMT

SUI Corporate Office Holiday Drive! Community Foodbank of Central Alabama

This year for our annual holiday donation drive, the Birmingham office gave to the Community Foodbank of Central Alabama. Each month the Foodbank feeds over 60,000 area children, seniors, veterans and neighbors at risk of hunger.

A huge thank you to our generous Lead Dog Team! #dishcares

TRAINEE GRADUATIONS 2020: SUCCESS KNOWS NO BOUNDS!

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 22:39:45 GMT

Lead Dogs, you are impressive. New technician trainees, sought-after candidates from both Ocala and Birmingham: we say to you, thank you for joining our ESOP. It’s an exciting and challenging job, where we hope you will find a family culture along with autonomy.

Trainers like Johnny Tidwell, Marc Hamel and Director of Training, Todd McClinton, have reinvented a new tradition: Corporate members from all departments are invited in on graduation day, to take a moment to wish our technician graduates luck and offer words of advice. And from the top down, there is no hesitation - we dash from desks and meetings, to get to know YOU.

But we know the training only begins there. We thrive on our adaptability, but more than that, we know one thing’s certain. The Lead Dog can’t survive without the pack. Our technicians walk out into the world and choose their own destiny. This is true of our FSMs certainly, our CSRs, everyone. No one at old 138 would be here without you. You are autonomous, but your team is always behind you, supporting you, so we all succeed.

To the Lead Techs, you know you’ll be providing the true-grit training where the rubber meets the road. Thank you for what you do.

We’re starting an initiative to easily celebrate Lead Techs and their trainees new to the “pack” on their own graduation day, with a simple photo submission through email. We encourage you to send a last-day Lead Tech Training Grad picture to our Communications Department at alexandra.battito@suidish.com. (Photos sent are 6” socially distanced with PPE donned, of course!)

Thank your team for representing our values so valiantly. While being essential workers on the front lines, no less. There are metrics. There’s inventory. But this is a real career. And the new dialogue we are launching through smaller town halls is only t help us help you. All surveys are anonymous. Lead Dogs, you are nothing short of impressive.

Many changes have met us this year, and the future is yet to come, but one thing is certain: WE are the true LEAD DOGS, leading and taking care of each other.

Employee Spotlight | Joseph Tubb, Technician

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:42:42 GMT

Current Position:

In-Home Services Technician, Specializing in OnTech

and High-Speed Internet

Tenure with SUI:

Since 2016

Tell us a little about

yourself.

Next month Joseph celebrates his 5th wedding anniversary with his wife Brittney! They celebrate by hiking a portion of the Appalachian trail each year. This year they may celebrate differently, but plan to continue the tradition in the years to come.

What do you like to do in your off time?

Hiking, gaming, science fiction and other genres, and playing with their cat, J’zargo (named for a Skyrim character).

JOSEPH TUBB,
TECHNICIAN

Mobile Office

When asked what interests him so much about technology and smart home solutions, Joseph Tubb unabashedly proclaimed, “I’ve always been fascinated with technology. Saying I’m massive nerd would be the easiest way to put it!” It was natural that Joseph would embrace the world of OnTech smart home products. In fact, as a tech who thrives in internet installs, he sold his first OnTech products before becoming OnTech certified. “I was on a HughesNet job, and the customer wanted to get four cameras. He just saw them in my truck and said, ‘Man, I’ve been looking into those!‘” Joseph explained. “I wasn’t even aware of the difference in the type of tech. So, I picked up the phone and called Alex.”

Alex Goebel, who leads the OnTech fulfillment program, nominated Joseph as his “OnTech Rockstar” because of his excitement and resourcefulness. “He called me directly to ask about the new opportunities with OnTech. I really appreciate it when someone shows such initiative. I knew him when I was Regional Manager over the Mobile office, and he’s always shown that kind of drive,” said Alex.

Joseph has always been a fan of technology, its history and its growth, and sees smart home products as the future for our industry. “I grew up loving science fiction and history. Technology drives mankind, really.”

Mobile GM Tyler Clow reiterated Alex’s comments on Joseph’s enthusiasm. “While he’s always successful with larger smart home sales and signing customers up for OnTech+ Memberships, he’s equally as happy with a smaller sale if it brings value,” said Tyler. “He’s just as happy to see somebody smile after they get a surge protector, and know that they’re safe,” Tyler said. “Once you find somebody like that, they usually excel pretty quickly in the company.”

“I think honestly just being a conversationalist and listening to people is a big driver,” Joseph said. “People like to talk, and they appreciate when others listen to them. Especially now, everyone’s isolated, so they really want to stop and talk for a bit when you come in their homes. They’ll open up about their lives, and any items they might need.”

Sales is something Joseph knows some struggle with, and he confesses he was not involved in it at all when he joined SUI in 2016. But he quickly gained appreciation for it by approaching it with a different state of mind. “I feel like a lot of it is looking at the positive rather than the negative. If you ask yourself ‘what can I do,’ instead of what you can’t do, anyone can start off on the right path up that hill.”

That important life skill of engaging with people from all walks of life is something that comes naturally to Joseph, as he has a background of being a youth minister too. He explains that attitude of ministry goes beyond faith, and translates into openness with interactions with all people.

“I’ve told new technicians you’ll get over the hill of realizing ways to improve, but it just takes patience,” he said. “There’s a certain amount of satisfaction that comes out of sticking with it. Soon you’ll be confident, independent and prepared for each day.”

He recounts one of the newer hires at his office, noting her strong drive, and says she’s easily doing as well as techs that have been top-tier for years. “How did that happen? It all comes down to hiring the right people, putting them through the right training program, and setting those expectations. That’s a recent adjustment that’s really working.”

“Constant changing technology is what drives the future,” he said. “As the world changes, people change, and in my opinion, technology is what drives it. OnTech is on the leading edge of that.”

What does being a ‘Lead Dog’ mean to you?

“In the context of our company, I think it’s just about having endurance. The example of the Iditarod is an unfathomably long race, requiring endurance both human and animal. Having the endurance to continue forward is what I would say is a main Lead Dog value.”

Launching Into the Future with OnTech!

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 20:03:27 GMT

Launching into the Future with OnTech!

By Alex Goebel, Director of Fulfillment Services

WHY to Get OnTech Certified

Grow your knowledge skill set as a more valuable and versatile tech.
OnTech techs can create their own sales WO’s for anything we offer (Ring, Google, etc.)
Opens up the opportunity to sell on Hughes Internet WO’s.
Boost your OSS earnings, units and improve tier by increased OSS/WO.
OnTech customers are already sold on the idea of a smart home = Easier sale and help improve the customer's lives!
Being part of this great SUI OnTech Family.

HOW to Get OnTech Certified

Communicate with your office about your willingness to become an OnTech tech.
Must be vetted as a strong performer in Nest sales and must have a positive attitude towards learning new things… constantly!
Complete a max 3 day online training course + proctorU exam to receive the CAT1 Alarm System Tech Certification.

SUI Hurricane Sally Relief

alexandra.battito@suidish.com (Alexandra Battito) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 15:45:31 GMT

Safety Stories from the Field: Hurricane Sally Relief

On September 16, 2020, Hurricane Sally made landfall as a category-2 storm, with a life-threatening storm surge near Gulf Shores, moving through the Florida Panhandle.

SUI's Safety Manager Cortez Tolbert diligently tracked the storm, communicating directly with all our offices well before its arrival. SUI acquired supplies and coordinated a relief plan for all of our team's homes and families at affected office locations.

Within 24 hours, SUI provided equipment and supplies to our most valuable assets, our employees and their families. Our affected employees received generators, water, flashlights, batteries, tarps, and fuel. We also delivered baby wipes per a special request.

We want our employees to know that we will be there for them in their time of need. We want to express our appreciation for their hard work and extend hospitality to them in their time of need. To our employees, we want to say thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us.

Employee Spotlight | Chris Parker, Technician

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 15:21:49 GMT

Current Position:

In-Home Services Technician

Tenure with SUI:

Very new to the company, hired just 5 months ago!

Tell us a little about

yourself.

Chris has a big family! Between himself and his wife, they have a total of 8 children, ranging in age from 5 to 23.

What do you like to do in your off time?

When he’s not going the extra mile at work and volunteering for 6-day weeks, Chris says the most important things to him are quality family time, and time going to church together.

CHRIS PARKER,
TECHNICIAN

Tupelo Office

Our Tech Force is the very core of our company. While it offers incredible opportunities personally and financially, it’s challenging to balance quality installation, customer care, and offering extra technology products all at once. For new techs, this is especially true. So how does new Tupelo Technician Chris Parker, who’s only been at SUI for four months, make it look so easy?

He’s off the charts not only with his personal OnTech sales, CSATs and quality – he’s a Lead Dog who cares about his whole team, and wants everyone in the Tupelo “pack” to succeed. FSM Michael Wendler has worked with Chris for over a decade at previous companies, and he used the Employee Referral Program to get Chris on the SUI team after he joined 11 months ago.

When asked what made him want to join the team, Chris said that even though he spent a decade in the field, the complexities of subcontractor work became difficult. “I just needed something permanent with great benefits. Now I can hang in long-term.” He and Michael appreciate the value of being vested in the ESOP. “I’m not getting any younger, so I can’t pass up that good retirement!” Chris said laughingly.

Michael said of Chris, “At less than 190 days with SUI, he’s already a Lead Tech himself! He’s also our newest OnTech certified technician. When it comes to OSS, his personal goal was to sell more Nest products than anyone else the whole month. Last month he had around $8,000 in sales. That is phenomenal!” Michael exclaimed.

“That’s why I let him become a Lead Tech so quickly – I want that to rub off on the next technician. It can be overwhelming to a new tech, but the way he sees it, he realizes he’s making money, and all these bonuses, and tiering up. He embraces it the right way.”

So what’s the secret to Chris’ sales success? He never judges any customer, based on any

demographics, period.

“When I get to a job, the first thing I do is look at my surroundings. And I don’t judge the house, and I don’t judge the customer.”

“Most of the time, I finish the entire installation before I even mention anything. I get everything set up and show them how to work everything, and just make sure they’re happy. Then, before I leave the job, I’ll say for instance that I noticed you have fiber internet – have you ever thought about investing in some security cameras? Then I just let it go from there.”

“Don’t make presumptions like ‘this isn’t a fancy area,’” he said. “It turns out those are the people who are more than likely going to buy an extra product, simply because they do have the means, and they really would benefit from it. Honestly, we do have better pricing than others. Compared to a box-store, but installation included? That really is a much better deal for them.”

“When I do a job, I try to do it like I was at my own house. Most of your retail sales come off of referrals! If you do a great job, they’ll tell their neighbors to give me a call.”

So what does being a Lead Dog mean to Chris? “To me, I wouldn’t want to pinpoint myself as the only Lead Dog. I want to make the whole Tupelo office a pack of Lead Dogs. Because no one in the office, from corporate down, would have their position if it wasn’t for the techs! I’d like to see Tupelo conquer that scorecard every week.”

Michael reiterated that powerful metaphor. “Chris might be a Lead Dog but if there’s anyone in the pack that’s struggling behind him, at Tupelo, or at SUI, everyone falls behind. We’ve got a great team here at Tupelo, and a bright future with the new ones coming in.”

What does being a ‘Lead Dog’ mean to you?

“To me, I wouldn’t want to pinpoint myself as the only Lead Dog. I want to make the whole Tupelo office a pack of Lead Dogs. That’s my main thing. Because no one in the office, from corporate down, would have their position if it wasn’t for the techs! I would like to see Tupelo conquer that scorecard every week.”

Employee Spotlight | Herb Gary, Technician | Mobile

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:42:50 GMT

Position:

SUI Technician

Years with SUI:

14.5 Years!

Tell us a little about

yourself.

Herb and his wife have been together for 26 years and married for 21 years. They have four children: LaDarrius (21), Tatiana (20), Tyson (18) and Tyler (10).

What do you like to do in your off time?

Along with family time, church, fishing and working out, Herb loves driving and restoring his ‘89 Ford Mustang 5.0 that he calls “one of my pride and joys.”

HERB GARY, TECHNICIAN

Montgomery Office

Do you wake up daily to an inspirational Hangouts message, sent in the wee hours, pumping up your team to be the best? Have you found yourself with a question on the job, and knew you could call a friendly fellow tech with nearly 15 years of experience at Satellites Unlimited? Sounds like you’re lucky enough to work with Herb Gary, a superstar technician for the Montgomery Branch since 2006.

GM Chris Painter nominated Herb for the employee spotlight without hesitation, and there’s no doubt why. “Herb stands out in any room he walks into.” said Chris. “He’s up at 2:30 a.m. every day on Hangouts, getting everybody pumped up for the sales day.”

Chris says that to him, being a Lead Dog means being at the front of the pack like Herb, leading by example. “The techs really listen to him,” he said. “It means something when it comes from Herb; it’s not just a manager talking. They really respect what he has to say.”

Herb is humble when asked, but genuinely practices what he preaches. “I’ve been doing that ever since I’ve been here,” Herb said. “I always tell others look at the positive, not the negative. The negative will deteriorate you, so stay positive and make the best of every situation. That’s why I push people to have that drive and be the best you can be.”

“I think Herb’s cell phone is like the information hotline for new technicians!” Chris exclaimed. “He’s so positive, he’s a very outspoken person, and the techs here just adore him. Everybody looks up to him.”

Herb graciously confirms this, stating “I tell them my phone line’s always open. Sometimes people will come to me with questions about the systems, and I take them through it from point A to point B. You’ve got to make sure you cover all your bases at every point. And if you do that right from the start, you’ll get good results at the end, 10 times out of 10.”

Customer satisfaction isn’t just a number on a scorecard to Herb – it’s sincerely part of who he is on the job. “That’s why I love what I do. I love to see that smile on a customer’s face,” said Herb. “I love a challenge and I never give up. My main thing is treating a person how you’d like to be treated. If I’m paying for something, I want to get what I pay for. They’re paying for our services, and I believe they deserve to have good service. So, seeing a smile on that person’s face is what drives me. When they’re happy, I’m happy.”

What does being a Lead Dog mean to Herb? “A Lead Dog to me means being a leader. When you’re a leader, you’ve got to be positive. Someone is always watching, whether it’s at work or with your family. There’s always someone who’ll want to be like you. I always try to steer people to have a positive attitude.”

“You treat everybody right, and they’ll want to come back to you. I don’t like excuses – just make it happen. It’s simple!” he exclaimed. “Some people say it’s just a job. I’m not looking for a job; I want a career. That’s why I’ve been here as long as I have.”

What does being a ‘Lead Dog’ mean to you?

“ A Lead Dog to me means being a leader. When you’re a leader, you’ve got to be

positive. Someone is always watching, whether it’s at work or with your family. There’s always someone who’ll want to be like you. I always try to steer people to have a positive attitude.”

Philanthropy | Lead Dogs Donate to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society

alexandra.battito@suidish.com (Alexandra Battito) — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 18:22:11 GMT

SUI Lead Dogs Give Back to Furry Friends in Need!

A huge thank you to our generous SUI Lead Dog team, and to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society for partnering with us to hold a GBHS donation drive! Over the last month, we collected dog and cat food, toys, treats, beds, crates, tennis balls, and often-overlooked items like laundry detergent, towels and linens. Way to go team! #gbhs #dishcares

Employee Spotlight | Dustin Collie, FSM

Sat, 01 Aug 2020 00:28:16 GMT

Current Position:

Field Service Manager

Years with SUI:

4 Years 2 Months

Years in Current Role:

1 Year 2 Months

Tell us a little about

yourself.

"I have a beautiful girlfriend Ashley, and 3 kids, Lexi (14), Mathew (12), and

Mckenzie (4)."

What do you like to do in your off time?

“I enjoy spending time with my kids/family, we love the beach and are big Louisiana Tech and New Orleans Saints fans.”

DUSTIN COLLIE,
FIELD SERVICE MANAGER

Monroe Office

GM Mike James says being a ‘Lead Dog’ means so many things, but boils down to this: “Strive for perfection. Make others better. Never settle. That is Dustin Collie!” Though Louisiana has been a particularly hard-hit state for the Southeast during the pandemic, our offices continue to ceaselessly maintain momentum. “FSM [Dustin] Collie has taken this challenge head-on and is my rockstar. Without his support and adaptability, we would not be successful.”

Mike explained how Dustin went the extra mile during Memorial Day weekend. He stepped up and was responsible for monitoring all three Louisiana offices, volunteering to help New Orleans along with Baton Rouge and Monroe. “This allowed his fellow FSMs to keep their vacation plans,” Mike said.

“It was very rewarding once Monday was over!” Dustin jokes. “I’m really big on treating others how you want to be treated. So I didn’t question it at all when asked, because I would want someone to do the same for me. And I do like a challenge, so I accepted!”

Dustin said he thinks that ‘can-do’ spirit is driven by being deemed an essential service. “I think still being able to work during this time helps a lot,” he said. “Getting to go out each and every day and keep our mind off of all the negative definitely has a positive impact.”

So what does being a ‘Lead Dog’ mean to Dustin? “Even more so during these times, it’s being someone that doesn’t lose focus and stays positive. Even in a negative situation, find something positive about it. That will bring out a LEAD DOG ATTITUDE, and it will definitely run over into your co-workers.”

Mike says that ‘Lead Dog’ attributes like Dustin’s come from setting the tone for the team and having a winning attitude. “We buffer and protect our teams from outside distractions. Building relationships and proving that we will take care of them makes the difference.” If he could, Mike says, he would nominate the whole Monroe office. “They’ve stepped up and helped in so many ways over the past few weeks. CSR, FSM and our warehouse manager have all taken on different roles to make sure that Monroe is a bright star in our region.”

What does being a ‘Lead Dog’ mean to you?

“Even more so during these times, it’s being someone that doesn’t lose focus

and stays positive. Even in a negative situation, find something positive

about it. That will bring out a LEAD DOG ATTITUDE, and it will

definitely run over into your co-workers.”

THANK YOU to our Essential Workers!

Wed, 20 May 2020 00:49:28 GMT

From our families to yours, THANK YOU to all our SUI essential workers, who put themselves on the front lines every day. Our customers’ trust and our company’s successes are all thanks to you. We are so grateful for our Lead Dogs!

Lead Dogs Unite at the 8th Annual Satellites Unlimited Oscars

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:30:00 GMT

On Saturday, March 7, Satellites Unlimited gathered to celebrate the 2019 top performers at its 8th annual Oscars at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, Alabama. The evening has grown to be a cornerstone event to recognize the achievements, dedication and outstanding work of top performers from our 17 satellite offices.

We celebrate teammates from all divisions of the company, and particularly our exceptional technicians, who are the indispensable life force of SUI. Their commitment to safety, our values, and being a Lead Dog is what makes this event possible. As we say in our motto, “If you are not the Lead Dog, the view never changes.”New Paragraph

The Grenada office took home the Team Safety Award , and the Birmingham office received the prestigious award for Office of the Year . The ceremony’s top honor of the Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog Award was bestowed upon Casey Goodwin of the Jackson office.

Hosted again this year by our energetic emcee and Retail Sales Manager John Pamphilis, two new awards were introduced this year. The Rising Star Top Performance Award was created to recognize first-year employees whose professionalism and effort shined in their rookie year at SUI, and was awarded to James Skyles of Chattanooga with two runners-up. The new Samsung Top Performance Award was won by Scott Rooks of Mobile. As award presenter Alex Goebel, Director of Fulfillment Services, said, “When we were given the opportunity to partner with the biggest and most successful appliance company in the world—Samsung—we were truly put to the test to prove once and for all that we have the best and most versatile technician workforce in the nation. And as you look around the room, you can truly see that.”

See below for a full list of this year’s Lead Dog Award winners. Congratulations to all of our top performing Lead Dogs!

Team Safety
• Grenada OfficeNew

Safety Wall of Honor
• Bobby Smith, Albertville

Sales Agent Lead Dog Award
• Miriam Coley, Corporate

Top Performance | Retail Sales
• Otis Brister, Birmingham
• Casey Goodwin, Jackson
• Abraham Trapani, Birmingham

Top Performance | On-Site Sales
• Michael Dailey, Chattanooga
• Nathaniel Decourcey, Dothan
• Kelvin Jordan, Grenada
• Andrew McKissick, Mobile
• David Muncher, Mobile
• Patrick Murcks, Birmingham
• Christopher Perkins, Albertville
• Justin Pickard, Albertville
• William Sellers, Montgomery
• Abraham Trapani, Birmingham

Top Performance | Rising Star
• James Skyles, Chattanooga

Top Performance | Samsung
• Scott Rooks, Mobile

Top Performance | Top 20 Technicians
• Jason Audette, Gainesville
• Wesly Carroll, Montgomery

• Gregory Clifton, Montgomery

• Jeffrey Condry, Mobile

• General Antwon Dickens, Dothan

• Christopher Dowling, Gainesville

• Joseph Foster, Hattiesburg

• Casey Goodwin, Jackson

• Donald Harford, Meridian

• Kenneth Jackson, Montgomery

• Nicholas Killian, Tupelo

• David Muncher, Mobile

• Patrick Murcks, Birmingham

• Kevin Parker, Birmingham

• Bobby Smith, Albertville

• Josey Snyder, Grenada

• Abraham Trapani, Birmingham

• Mike Walko, Gainesville

• Josh Wellmeier, Crestview

• James Winborne, Monroe

Office of the Year
• Birmingham Office

Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog Award
• Casey Goodwin, Jackson

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New Team Member | Alexandra Battito

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 16:47:00 GMT

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New Team Member | Cortez Tolbert

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:14:00 GMT

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5th Annual Satellites Unlimited Oscars

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 15:44:00 GMT

Satellites Unlimited celebrated its 5th annual Oscars event and awards ceremony on Saturday, March 4th, in Birmingham, Alabama. During the highly anticipated evening, the senior leadership team honored our top performers of 2016. Hosted by Retail Sales Manager, John Pamphilis, some of the event highlights included: the Tupelo office took home the Team Safety Award for two years in a row, our Greenwood location received our coveted Office of the Year award, and Joseph Foster was awarded top honors as our second-ever recipient of the esteemed Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog Award. See below for our full list of winners:

Team Safety

Safety Wall of Honor

Top Performance | Sales Agent

Top Performance | Retail Sales

Top Performance | SHS Sales

Top Performance | Technician

Office of the Year

Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog Award

Congratulations to all of our award winners! We appreciate your contributions and thank you for your commitment to Satellites Unlimited.

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New Team Member | Josh Meeks

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 16:30:00 GMT

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New Team Member | Sara Litwin

Wed, 06 Jul 2016 16:30:00 GMT

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Promotion | Todd McClinton

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:30:00 GMT

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Lead Dog Spotlight | Greg Maddox

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 14:14:00 GMT

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Promotions | Grant Hobin, Jamie Milton, & Keith Wickham

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 16:30:00 GMT

We are pleased to announce the promotions of three of our team members, Grant Hobin, Jamie Milton, and Keith Wickham, to the role of General Manager. As General Managers, they are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of their respective offices, including leading workplace safety, branch office profit and loss statement ownership, technician and staff development, inventory, and route management.

Congratulations to these invaluable members of our “People Machine!” We look forward to many years of shared success.

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Promotions | Greg Maddox & Alex Goebel

Tue, 03 May 2016 16:30:00 GMT

At SUI, one of our core values states that “We are committed to our people machine.” One way we show that commitment is by investing in our employees’ success and rewarding excellent performance. Today we are happy to announce the promotions of two of our branch office General Managers to the roles of Regional Managers.

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Promotion | Roy Sims

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 11:31:00 GMT

Roy received his Bachelors in Accounting from Auburn University and his MBA from Auburn University at Montgomery. He is a Certified Public Accountant and brings years of experience in accounting, finance, sales, and operations to his new role. Roy says he is most excited to help SUI continue growing and improving. Read more from the Birmingham Business Journal here.

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2016 SUI Oscars Awards Ceremony

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:30:00 GMT

2016 SUI Oscars Awards Ceremony

SUI held its 4th annual Oscars event and awards ceremony on February 20th at Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham in recognition of top performers in 2015. Retail Sales Manager John Pamphilis served as the emcee for the evening, and leaders throughout the company presented awards to top performers of SUI. Our Lead Dog Award winners for the night included:

Top Performance | Calibrated Trainer

Antwon Dickens

Supporting Field Operations

Phyllis Keener

Top Performance | Sales Agent

Pamela Pickett

Top Performance | SHS Sales

Justin Shipes
Michael Hill
Brandon McClellan
Frederick Tankersley
Kyle Nelson

Top Performance | Retail Sales

Pamela Pickett
Nolan Bailey
Immesha Ross
Jacqueline Walker
Michael Waege

Top Performance | Technician

Antwon Dickens
David Wullimann
James Beck
Kevin Parker
Richard Schiavo
Marco Brito
Nicholas McGlathery
Jason Browning
Kyle Nelson
Kevin Chaffins
Donavan Smith
Jason Masonbrink
Wayne Tate
Keith Nelson
Ryan Hood
Justin Shipes
Travis Johnson
Kendall Tipton
Nolan Bailey
Matthew Kennedy

Office of the Year

Montgomery Office

Team Safety

Tupelo Office

Safety Wall of Honor

Morris Nelson
Jason Bishop

Roddy L. McKinney Lead Dog Award

Antwon Dickens

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Employees Make Donations in the Spirit of Giving

Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:22:00 GMT

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Veterans Day 2015

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 07:00:00 GMT

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Halloween Celebration and Chili Cook-off

Fri, 30 Oct 2015 16:57:00 GMT

We had a blast celebrating Halloween with a chili cook-off and costume contest at our corporate office today! Entries in the cook-off included venison chili, white bean chicken chili, buffalo chicken chili, and more! The venison chili was declared the winner, and our COO, Chris, took home the inaugural SUI Chili Cook-Off Trophy! Our technician trainees toured our spookily decorated offices and voted on each department’s decor, and our Human Resources and Payroll department was voted the favorite. We hope you enjoy our gallery below and have a safe and happy Halloween!

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2015 Corporate Picnic

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:15:00 GMT

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SUI’s CEO Pens Open Letter on Glassdoor

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:26:00 GMT

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National College Colors Day

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 11:17:00 GMT

SUI celebrated National College Colors Day on Friday, September 4. Employees across our 15 locations showed a variety of school spirit by wearing their favorite teams’ jerseys and colors! We hope everyone had a happy Labor Day weekend and a great time celebrating the kick-off of the 2015 college football season!

Talent Management Team

SUI Founder, Roddy McKinney, and our Corporate Staff

Huntsville Branch Office Team

HR & Administrative Team

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Putting the Southeast Back to Work

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:40:00 GMT

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SUI Recognizes Team Members for Commitment to Workplace Safety

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 15:21:00 GMT

“Safety is a top priority at SUI because we care for our employees,” says Greg Maddox, Manager of Safety and Technician Development. “Even one incident is too many because any incident has the potential to be a life-changing event.”

Out of hundreds of employees, 2 technicians were recognized by leadership for achieving over 5+ years of injury and accident-free work.

“All of these technicians deserved to be rewarded for their dedication to personal safety, safety of those in their communities, and their commitment to the ones who count on them the most – their families,” notes COO, Chris Guest. “These are true role models who should be proud of their impressive accomplishments.”

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SUI Hosts Spontaneous Employee Appreciation Cookout

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:38:00 GMT

Today was another great day at SUI! Leadership hosted a spontaneous Employee Appreciation Cookout. Our new technician trainees were able to get to know their corporate support team, while the hard work of our corporate team was recognized. We were also able to celebrate a team member’s birthday (HBD, Stephanie!). This is another example of our leaders looking for ways to give back to those who continually give so much of themselves to the company.

Huge thanks to our COO, Chris Guest, and our VP of HR and Administration, Tom Surtees, for making this happen! The entire team enjoyed the camaraderie, food, and fresh air.

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SUI to hire 150 technicians over the upcoming weeks

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 16:29:00 GMT

Join SUI and jumpstart your future! We’re set to hire 150 technicians in the Southeast over the upcoming weeks. To fill our technician openings, we’ll […] The post SUI to hire 150 technicians over the upcoming weeks appeared first on Satellites Unlimited, Inc..

2015 DISH Team Summit

Thu, 28 May 2015 16:30:00 GMT

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New Hire | Roy Sims

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 16:30:00 GMT

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New Hire | Jay Burleson

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:30:00 GMT

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SUI’s “Next Move” Program Leads to Seven Promotions from Technician to Field Service Manager

Sat, 28 Mar 2015 04:30:00 GMT

Congratulations to the following new FSMs:

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Employee Shares His Experience as a “Lead Dog” at SUI

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 08:30:00 GMT

The conference calls that the company had every week were something I looked forward to with great anticipation. It allowed technicians to connect with him and share his vision albeit through a virtual phone connection. At the time, I found it unusually special to find a company whose owner was willing to connect and converse with the guys that were working out in the field. One thing…OK…maybe two things always stood out to me and kept me on the edge of my seat while the conference call was taking place. I always looked forward to hearing him say “That dog don’t hunt gentlemen!” or “If you aren’t the lead dog, the view never changes”. The main thing that I remember is that he always concluded a conference call with a special message for the technician’s. He would say “Gentlemen, I appreciate each and every one of you”. That hit home with me every time and inspired me to perform at an elite level. That statement, as simple as it may have been or sounded, was a virtual pat on the back for all of our guys, including myself. I felt a genuine sense of warm acceptance and positive encouragement.

This company has transformed the lives of many people and my story is one of many. I have witnessed testimonies from a large number of technicians and their families throughout my years here at SUI. Some of these testimonies are grandiose in nature and could be interpreted as embellishment or vain in nature. What is often misunderstood though; is that these larger than life testimonies are often intertwined with one’s dreams conveying a proud sense of self accomplishment. These are things like having a house built, a dependable vehicle, great family vacations or a technician’s children having a college education. These are not fabled, too good to be true, nursery rhyme type stories read aloud at bedsides all over the world, but rather, these are stories of real life perseverance, work ethic, heart, desire and an iron will. These core value qualities are the centerpiece of these wonderful stories but are also indicative of an owner who combined these same qualities with the internal fire of an entrepreneurial spirit. A lot of people use these core values as a punch line, slogan or cliché. They have capitalized on these core values because they have used them as a life spent defending and building something. These core values ring true today and are as vital to the infrastructure of SUI as the buildings we occupy.

Although I had a true desire, I had never ventured an interest in anything other than an hourly paid job. My preconceived notions of my family’s future and vested interest were of low expectations before I called SUI my home. SUI allowed me to finally dream again and further develop myself in reaching my full potential. I have provided my wife of 15 years as well as my two children with a life of convenience and comfort that seemed improbable and unlikely at certain times in my life. At one time, there were things that seemed too lavish and luxurious to even be considered a possibility. I’m referring to things like owning a house complete with a large backyard for my kids to play in and a dependable vehicle for my wife to drive to work in. These sound like simple things but they are commodities that bring me a sense of security and personal feelings of sheer happiness. My family encompasses the true spirit of SUI in every way. They know that none of this is possible without my career here and the opportunities afforded me. I use a cliché at our house quite often when we go out to eat or reach personal milestones within our inner family circle. My wife or kids will thank me for dinner or thank me for a gift and I will say “Don’t thank me, thank Mr. Roddy”. My seven year old son is a heavy advocate for SUI. He wears his SUI T-shirt acquired from the family picnic to the daycare facility and he tries to recruit some of the other kids’ dads to work for us. He will tell the other kids that we are hiring. My family is one of many that SUI has affected in a positive way and created a culture of not just winning but winning big.

I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful organization. Their family exemplifies professionalism and family values. I have watched SUI grow and prosper throughout my time here and I realize that the leadership is in place on multiple levels to foster and nurture a fulfilling future. I look forward to contributing to our momentum in the satellite industry and continuing to grow personally and professionally. There are so many role models and inspirational individuals here at SUI, but this was all possible because of his vision. Again, my story is one of many as SUI has graced so many people with second opportunities and a chance to dream outside the status quo box that so many families fall victim to. Sometimes all it takes to break this caged containment is a simple conversation or a friendly “Hello”. In my case and the case of many others…it started with a simple “Gentlemen, I appreciate each and every one of you”.

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SUI Recognizes “Lead Dogs” at the Company’s Third Annual Oscars Awards

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 08:30:00 GMT

Calibrated Trainer Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Warehouse Manager Lead Dog Award for Top Performance Overall

Warehouse Manager Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Customer Service Representative Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Lead Dog Award for Supporting Field Operations

Sales Agent Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Lead Dog Award for Living SUI Values

Field Services Manager Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Office Manager Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Office Manager Lead Dog Award for Living SUI Values

Smart Home Services Sales Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Retail Sales Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

Office Manager Lead Dog Award for Office Manager of the Year

Technician Lead Dog Award for Top Performance

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Promotions | Grant Hobin, Marcus Jones, Beau Genelin, & Kori O’Neal

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 08:30:00 GMT

Grant Hobin has been promoted to Corporate Training Instructor after having gained 8 years of experience with the company serving as a Technician, Calibrated Trainer, and part-time Corporate Training Instructor. Grant has also been recognized as one of the company’s top Calibrated Trainers in both 2013 and 2014. In his new role, Grant’s primary responsibility will be instructing in the Training Center. He will also assist in developing content for training initiatives for the field force as well as facilitating that training. He was recently certified as an SLII trainer by the Ken Blanchard group and is instructing classes for SUI’s FSMs and corporate leaders.

Marcus Jones will join sister company Pixsys Technologies as Director of Customer Experience after a five year tenure at SUI. Marcus has been successful in several positions at the company since joining SUI as a Technician, having earned the title of Calibrated Trainer and most recently serving as Routing & Calendar Manager. As Routing & Calendar Manager, Marcus supported SUI field operations and played a key role in strengthening the company’s relationship with DISH partners. As the Director of Customer Experience at Pixsys, Marcus will be responsible for managing the relationships, support, training, and overall experience for the entire Pixsys client base. Marcus obtained his MBA specializing in Project Management from Columbia Southern University.

Beau Genelin has been named Marketing Coordinator following two years of serving the company as a Recruiting Specialist, where he demonstrated the ability to create innovative ideas, establish strong working relationships with his coworkers, and consistently deliver results. As Marketing Coordinator, Beau will help improve SUI’s sales performance, increase brand presence, and ultimately grow top line revenue in the coming years. Beau recently received his MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Kori O’Neal has accepted the Recruiter position with Satellites Unlimited’s Recruiting Team. He will be responsible for meeting regular staffing and capacity needs by cold-calling, sourcing, engaging, and screening candidates while ensuring all candidates have an overall positive candidate experience. He will also coordinate the scheduling of interviews with hiring managers and sustain partnerships with all field operations. Kori began his career at SUI in 2013 as a Recruiter, where he provided consistent, high-level performance by exemplifying SUI core values in the areas of customer focus, execution, and adaptability. He has most recently been a member of the Central Operations team at SUI, playing a large role in the success of the team. Kori holds a BA in Human Resources Management from Faulkner University.

These upward career moves are evidence of the company’s belief that their people are the key to success and top performers will be rewarded throughout their organizations.

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Top 10 Interview Tips

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 08:30:00 GMT

If you’re reading this for help on your interview with one of our Office Managers, it means you’ve completed our online application and assessment, spoken to one of our recruiters, and have been selected by an Office Manager to come in for an interview. Congratulations on making it to this point!

To help you put your best foot forward, our recruiters compiled their top 10 pointers to remember when you go to the interview. They’ve done this because it’s part of how we do things at SUI. We always try to help others succeed. It’s all part of our Lead Dog attitude.

Without further ado, here are our Top 10 Interview Tips:

1. Check out the company.

Don’t go into the interview cold. There are several places you can get information about SUI. Check out the videos on this page; read through our offerings on our main Satellites Unlimited site, and read the information posted on Glassdoor . The more you know about us going into the interview, the more time can be spent getting to know you and everything you bring to the table.

2. Practice responding to interview questions.

Make sure you can explain why you’re the best candidate for the job in clear, concise language. The more you practice, the less nervous you’ll be.

3. Ten minutes early is always on time.

Need we say more?

4. Greet with a firm but not bone-crushing handshake.

It shows confidence in yourself without starting an ego war.

5. Dress for success.

You only have this one opportunity to make a first impression. Neat clothes let the focus be on your skill set and not your personal style preference.

6. Turn electronic devices off and out of sight.

Better yet, leave them in the car so you’re not tempted or surprised.

7. Stay positive and engaged.

An interview is not the right time to bash previous employers or make excuses. It’s also important to focus your attention on the task at hand; don’t let your mind wander!

8. Make regular eye contact.

Again, this is a sign of confidence. Everyone gets nervous during an interview, but eye contact lets the interviewer know you are sure of your skills and knowledge.

9. Express your interest in the job at the close of the interview.

The interviewer is curious about whether or not you’re still interested in the position. Expressing that you want the job lets him or her know you want to move forward.

10. Say and send a ‘Thank You.’

Sending a thank you note post-interview is a good way to stand out from your competition. Don’t forget to ask your interviewer for a business card so you know where to send it!

If you keep these tips in mind to prepare for your interview, you’ll be well on your way to making a lasting and positive impression.

From all of us here in recruiting, GOOD LUCK!

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SUI Provides Satellite Services at Cask + Drum Benefitting Magic Moments

Sat, 11 Oct 2014 08:30:00 GMT

Cask + Drum is a new festival in its 2nd year of operation that included not only tailgating opportunities, but also a chicken wing fest, wine & beer tasting, kid activity zone, and performances by numerous musical acts ranging from local favorites to big names on the national circuit. Funds raised by the event will fund the wishes of critically ill children throughout the state through the efforts of Magic Moments.

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SUI Makes Meaningful Donation to Assist Homes of Hope for Children

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 08:30:00 GMT

A billing mistake which cost the organization $1,288.72 in 2013 forced Homes of Hope for Children to make a public plea on social media months later in July 2014 in hopes the error could finally be corrected. Despite numerous attempts to recoup the funds, Homes of Hope for Children was not able to receive a monetary refund or credit on current bills and was even told that they would not be reimbursed whatsoever if they chose to cancel their cable services due to the issue. The amount in question was of great importance to the organization considering it was equivalent to the amount spent each month to feed all of the children living on campus. A non-profit Christian children’s home, Homes of Hope for Children provides shelter to boys and girls in crisis in southern Mississippi aged 4-18 with the goal of providing children with a safe environment in order to learn, earn trust, and have the opportunity to experience healthy relationships. The organization also provides counselling services to children and their families and transitional services to young adults ready to leave the home.

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SUI Receives 7 Footballs at Team Summit in Recognition of Their Performance Accomplishments in 2013

Fri, 16 May 2014 08:30:00 GMT

2013 Team Summit Awards

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