Employee Profile / Dawn Marie
Dawn Marie Echeverria, operations manager, Phoenix, Arizona
What are your job responsibilities at Orkin?
My primary responsibility as an operations manager is to assist with ongoing development of my team in the Phoenix branch. My passion is helping each team member succeed. I also assist with managing the branch’s business, including maintaining and growing our customer base and increasing revenue.
How long have you been at Orkin? How does Orkin fit into your career path?
I joined Orkin in 1999 as a pest control technician. I had been working as a video store manager and thought a career at Orkin offered better job opportunities and benefits than a video store company career.
I first started at Orkin as a technician and then moved on to an office position as an appointment scheduler. Although I enjoyed my time in the field, my office job helped me learn more about the company. Over the years, I also have served as a branch account manager, back-up new customer specialist, region administrative assistant and operations manager.
What skills are required for women to succeed at Orkin?
Women who thrive at Orkin prefer non-traditional jobs and are interested in advancing their careers in a performance-driven company. These women are typically independent, organized and ambitious, and enjoy a fast-paced environment.
How has Orkin supported and encouraged you to succeed, both professionally and personally?
While I was on maternity leave for my fourth child, I learned there was a job opening for a region administrative assistant in Orkin’s Southwest Region office. I was excited by the opportunity and knew I could succeed in this position. Since I did not want to leave my newborn with a babysitter, I brought her with me to the interview. At the end of the interview, I learned I would need to complete two phone interviews and then wait two weeks for the final decision. After the phone interviews, I called the region manager to confirm when he might be making his decision. He said he would be making it by Friday morning – in my excitement at the time, I forgot I had surgery scheduled for that morning.
On that Friday, I told all of the nurses, doctors, assistants and everyone who would listen about this important phone call that would change my life. I stalled the surgery as long as I could before the doctor told me it was time to go. Just as they were rolling me into surgery, my phone rang and I immediately yelled “stop!” so I could take the call. The region manager offered me the position. I thanked him repeatedly for the position and when asked, told him I was on my way into surgery. He very politely responded that he would call next week when I got back to work. After the call, I proceeded into the operating room and was greeted by the doctor, who gave his congratulations on my promotion.
Throughout my career at Orkin, I have been grateful for the support of my family and the Orkin management team who have helped me balance my career and my children. I feel fortunate to work for a company where family is important, and have the support of a loving husband who encourages me with each promotion.
What advice do you have for other women and companies to succeed in the current economy?
At Orkin, we are focused on providing high-quality service so our customers see the value in hiring Orkin. For our customers who are struggling in this economy, we are trying to help them get through this time.
As an operations manager, I also am focused on helping my employees cope with this challenging economy, both personally and professionally. I think that if I can help my team remain positive and optimistic, then as a team we will creatively create new ways to build our business; we will survive the current economy; and we will be a stronger team after these economic challenges.