Today, I interviewed Fred D'Ascenzo. Fred is a great example of the type of person who comprises the fabric of EMC's culture.
What do you like to do in your spare time, outside of EMC?
I have two grown married children, Gina and Michelle who I love more than anything in this world. They are 30 and 27. I call them every Saturday and say, “Hey, where are we going today?!” I have a boat that I enjoy going on and just love anything that has to do with the salt water.
“Hey! Where are we going today?!”
What do you do for the company? How does what you do impact the company and the EMC team?
I run service in the Mid-Atlantic and southeast (about 1/3 of the country geographically) I have about 480 people in my organization. I work closely with the respective sales vice presidents to drive revenue, maintain service level objectives, and focus on customer requirements. I work with the sales teams to position our Managed Storage Services (MSS) strategy as a value-add which helps in closing deals.
“I run service in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast … which helps in closing deals.”
How long have you been with the company?
16 years. I am badge number 643.
What do you do to inspire and encourage your EMC team?
This is not a job, but a career. It is the best tech company in the world. My team and I have fun. I try to make everything we do even in the most difficult situations a good time. I do my best to provide a pleasant workplace that they aspire to come to. This is not a 9 to 5 job. They know that. We work extremely hard, but we also have a great time. This company has done great things for me and my family; I try to pass that along to my people. I reward a job well done; monetarily and by recognition within the company. We celebrate successes and quickly remediate the failures together. We are a family. This drives teamwork. People can easily see that they have great futures here. They are part of a team—no one wants to let their team down. I reinforce that this is a great place to work each and every day. The VP of sales in my division states freely that my team supports and drives 30% of his revenue.
“We are Family”
Do you feel different about working at EMC than other companies you’ve worked for?
This is the only tech company I will ever work for. I am a part of EMC’s culture; I am embedded in it. Failure is not an option here. No other company is as focused on customer satisfaction AND employee satisfaction. I couldn’t work for a competitor. If I got fired tomorrow, I’d be a construction worker.
“This is the only tech company I will ever work for. If I get fired tomorrow I’d be a construction worker.”
How has the company supported your career development?
At this company, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Where you want to go and how far you want to go is up to you. From internal EMC training, mentoring, certifications, tuition reimbursement and personal development programs there is no limit to what any employee can accomplish if he or she wants to work for it. People who have excelled here have worked hard. The company doesn’t limit your career. The only limiting factor is yourself.
“The company doesn’t limit your career. The only limiting factor is yourself.”
If EMC could help to make one thing happen for you, what would it be?
Everything I have ever wanted or aspired to do; EMC has allowed me the opportunity. I’d like to move up one level and have a bit more of a say in the future of the company, but if that never happens, I’d be totally content. I have my office overlooking the river here in Conshohocken, I have a great team both sales and support, and it’s a nice sunny day. What more could anyone ask for in a job?
“Everything I have ever wanted or aspired to do … and a nice sunny day.”
Would you recommend working at EMC to a friend?
It would be great if I could get my whole family and ALL of my friends here! The best friends I have in life are at EMC. It is the greatest work atmosphere. I love what I do and I love the people I work with. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to be in technology. This is the best technology company in the world today.
“It would be great if I could get my whole family and ALL of my friends here! This is the best technology company in the world today.”
What inspires you about EMC? What keeps you here?
The people I work with. The support of this company and how it supports all of its employees. It is THE leader in technology; no one has better products. This company has a great vision and future. It supports my career. I very much enjoy what I am doing and working for EMC which provides the best information storage products and services in the industry.
“The people I work with. The support of this company…”
What is one “cool” thing you’ve worked on recently at EMC?
The most fun I had and the coolest was working in the
Federal group supporting the Pentagon and Tommy Franks team during the
Iraq
invasion and then setting up IT support for the Pacific Air Force in the middle of the
Pacific ocean
. The most recent was developing a support and escalation structure for one of our latest software acquisitions.
“The most fun I had and the coolest was … supporting the Pentagon and Tommy Frank’s team…”
What about wealth creation and EMC?
The first time I cashed in some of my stock options the money was sent right to my bank account. I couldn’t believe it, after a few days I called the bank and queried my account. I asked the woman at the bank if that much money was really in my account and she said, “Yes, sir, would you like to take some out?” I just couldn’t believe it was actually in there and it was so easy! The stock purchase plan is incredible and automatic -- an easy and very lucrative savings plan. It certainly helped with two college tuitions.
“I asked the woman at that bank if that much money was really in my account…”
Anything else to add?
Egan, Ruettgers, and Tucci have done an unbelievable job positioning this company as THE leader in storage. It still feels so great to work here even after 16 years. I can’t think of a better place to work.
“I can’t think of a better place to work.”
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Have you met an EMCer like Fred? Feel free to introduce him/her here.
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