Perez - April 2018
Israel "Izzy" Perez is new to his position at Training & Development Systems Inc. (TDS) but certainly not to the energy industry or business development, as he has 37 years of sales and managerial experience with some of America's Fortune 500 companies. BIC Magazine recently visited with Perez to learn more about his role at TDS and why the company's clientele will benefit from his vast industry experience.
Q: What led to your position at TDS?
A: In 1993, I had the opportunity to become a part of the technical training community. I was responsible for business development for a company that had a U.S. patent for a computer software that allowed for the extremely efficient creation and distribution of computer-based training. I was introducing a new paradigm, which was fast-paced work that was very rewarding. My previous employment provided turnkey services required to be in compliance with new OSHA legislation called process safety management. Later, my career moved to offshore regulatory services, then mechanical engineering design software and then turnkey automation engineering. All of my 30-plus years of experience was always applicable to the global energy environment. In 2017, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at TDS came my way to return to a business world that provided great challenges and satisfaction.
Q: What is the most important part of your position?
A: Most important is the opportunity to share on a one-on-one basis our approach regarding operations training manuals, procedures, and knowledge and performance assessments, as well as competency assurance assessments to identify knowledge/ performance gaps. Also included are our approaches to operational excellence, front line supervisor development and process troubleshooting.
Q: What has been the most pivotal moment of your career?
A: I have been very fortunate to work in environments at the cutting edge of technology for various time frames. My first opportunity came while delivering computer input cards and printouts generated by a mainframe computer to scientific and engineering customers. In between deliveries, I was afforded the opportunity to learn how to operate these machines, which required separate below-floor air conditioning to keep cool. I got to know and work with the authors of programs that provided calculations for structural, mechanical and process engineering. Later, I was a business development employee for several of these companies as computer technologies progressed from mainframe (Univac) to minicomputer (Digital Vax and Prime) to 286/386 personal computers with the disk operating system (DOS), then Windows.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A: When I was in basic training in the U.S. Army, the drill sergeant gave me the following basic quote, which stuck with me for my entire career: "Nothing to do but to do it." Many people, at some time or another tend to delay implementations -- especially on issues that can be peripheral and are not an integral part of their responsibilities. In the Army and in business, if all possible issues are not addressed in a timely matter, the goal is not achieved or the project does not meet all of its potential.
Q: What is a "fun fact" about you people might not know?
A: My first paying job was selling peanuts at Houston Astros games. Then I worked at a members only club located in the Astrodome before finally working exclusively for the president of Astrodome management. This explains my complete joy in watching the Houston Astros become World Series champions last year.
For more information, visit www. TDSHOU.com or call (281) 488-1128.
