Cimco-GC Systems is proud to be a team made up of diverse backgrounds, skill sets and interests. Every few weeks we highlight a member of our team to learn what makes them (and Cimco-GC Systems) unique.
For this Staff Profile, we're taking the opportunity to announce Ray Velasquez’ promotion to Cimco-GC Systems Sales Manager. In 2024, Ray returned to Cimco-GC Systems after a decade of leadership training in the U.S. Army and has been serving in Technical Sales and Engineering Support, leading our outside Specifications Team and supporting engineers and operators across the Pacific Northwest. He’s also spent extensive time in the field with our Cla-Val Service Team and is one of our Control Valve Training instructors. In his new role as Sales Manager, he'll be overseeing both our Specifications and Distribution Teams. Read on to get to know Ray!
Q&A W/ RAY VELASQUEZ:
Where did you grow up?
Puyallup, Washington
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I am a UPSA-C licensed Skydiver with a coach rating. Falling from the sky with friends has been my main hobby for the last few years, but I also enjoy biking, hiking, running, and anything in the great outdoors.
What is your favorite thing about working at Cimco-GC Systems?
I enjoy the challenge and reward of always learning new things, traveling around the Pacific Northwest, and helping customers solve their problems.
Describe a time that your work (at Cimco-GC Systems) made a difference and what you found satisfying about it.
I was able to make a special trip to Central Oregon after our latest Cla-Val factory training to discuss Cla-Val’s new XP2F with one of our customers. It made my week into quite a bit of a road trip, but it was very satisfying to support our manufacturer’s new product and support a customer with a great solution for their system.
What's something throughout your career that people tend to come to you for your expertise?
I enjoy public speaking and being a subject matter expert. It is very enjoyable to be able to learn new things and share what I know with customers around the Pacific Northwest.
Do you have any surprise skills that most people in your professional world don't know about?
When I was in the Army I achieved “general professional capability” as my rating in Mandarin Chinese. I still watch a lot of Chinese TV Shows, but it is harder to hold a conversation now than it was before. Learning another language is a humbling and rewarding endeavor.
Best advice you ever received:
I had a commander in the Army that loved the phrase, “Hope is not a good plan, help is not coming, prepare to self-recover” which is Army-talk to figure it out yourself. He repeated this to the point of it being a mantra that we would roll our eyes at. Now I appreciate the focus on responsibility and the scary but empowering thought that we need to take ownership and responsibility for situations and circumstances no matter how they came about.
Describe a time that you saw one of Cimco-GC Systems' values in action? Why was it memorable? What did it mean to you?
Partnership: One notable opportunity I have had that showed our partnership was during a visit to a distributor in Southern Idaho almost a year ago. While meeting with one of the outside salesmen, he received a call from a municipality that they needed help with some valves. I followed him out to a pressure reducing station and was able to help the city troubleshoot the valve and clarify the correct repair parts to have on hand. We work closely with our distribution partners to provide the best solutions and service for our customers.
Professionalism: I’ve had the opportunity to work on the Cla-Val service team in a variety of challenging situations that demonstrate professionalism. One particularly memorable job in Oregon we worked late on a cold and rainy night on a valve that had to be operational the next morning. Including drive time, Alex and I worked over 14 hours that day. In the end, we got it done in time for the system to be functional the next morning.
LIGHTNING ROUND:
Do you have any nick names? None that I want to admit. Call me whatever you want just don’t call me late.
Favorite movie: iRobot with Will Smith. It’s not a very good movie, but I used to watch it all the time with my dad so its special to me (and it’s very quotable).
Favorite food: Korean BBQ
Pet Peeve: My pet peeve is someone complaining about circumstances that are within their control. We all need to vent sometimes, but if you can change it then do it and if you can’t then accept it.
Favorite day-off activity: Skydiving
Dream vacation destination: Somewhere with a beach in Southeast Asia.
One thing you couldn’t live without: My dog Tiger Lily