Employee Spotlight – David Rodriguez
In this edition of the Employee Spotlight, we chatted with David Rodriguez, a member of our Web Sales Team in Dallas.
He brings decades of customer service experience, a deep knowledge of our online tools, and a steady presence in a fast-paced environment. We caught up with David to learn more about his path, what keeps the work interesting, and how employee ownership has shaped his journey.
You’ve been with Cisco-Eagle since 2010. What brought you here?
I was referred by another employee who had been with the company for a few years. We worked together before, and he told me about Cisco-Eagle, how things worked, how the culture was. I’d been in customer service a long time, just in different industries, so I was curious. The more I heard, the more I wanted to give it a try. I’ve been here ever since.
Tell us about your role on the Web Team. What’s a typical day like?
We’re the first line of contact for a lot of our online customers. We handle calls from the toll-free number, respond to chats on the website, and answer email inquiries. Some people want to place an order right away, while others just want to understand what they’re looking at. A lot of it is helping people find the right product or navigate the site.
What’s something people might not realize about your group’s work?
The speed. It’s very fast-paced, as customers usually want answers right now. That’s not always possible, especially if we need to go to a manufacturer for something technical, but we do everything we can to get back quickly. That responsiveness really matters to customers.
Has a recent interaction stood out to you?
Yeah, there was a customer looking for a specific conveyor solution. At first glance, it seemed simple, but the specs were more complicated than expected. We needed input from the manufacturer’s engineering team to get it right. We coordinated, got the quote, and had everything back to the customer quickly. It’s satisfying when things come together like that.
You’ve been an employee-owner for 15 years. How does that change how you approach your work?
There’s a sense of responsibility that builds over time. I’ve seen the website grow, the product line expand. And the more I learn, the more I can help. I think that ownership mindset pushes us to know our stuff, to be really good at what we do. That kind of knowledge only builds with time.
What motivates you each day?
Every day’s a little different. Different customers, different challenges. It keeps you sharp. Some days are hectic, but I don’t mind that. I actually enjoy it. It’s never boring, and you always feel like you’re doing something useful.
It’s just a fun thing! Just every day, what’s going to be today’s challenge and what we can do for the customer.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new employee, what would it be?
Start with the website. Just dig in. There’s so much information there, and it’s the best way to learn. That’s what I did.
Once you understand how things are laid out, it’s easier to help customers and to learn the products. At first it can seem like a lot, but once you get going, it all starts to connect.
Who is Cisco-Eagle?
It’s just a great company. From the people to the way things are run, I’ve enjoyed every part of working here. I hadn’t worked for an employee-owned company before this, and I’ve really valued that experience. It’s not just about the job, it’s about how we do things and how we treat each other.
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Evan Fleishacker