Interview with Coast to Coast's CEO, Glenda David

Glenda, please tell everyone about your background and how you ended up at Coast to Coast Computer Products?

I was born in Manila, Philippines. I was fortunate that I learned both English and Tagalog when I was growing up. It made it easier to acclimate when we migrated here in the United States. I was 13 years old.

We stayed with family in Anaheim, CA our first year and moved to the San Fernando Valley since it was closer to where my parents worked at. I finished High School with honors and went to a community college. I worked at Bank of America part time however I had to look for a full-time job since I was over 18 years old and needed to get medical insurance. I worked a few retail jobs until my sister recruited me to work with her at Ames Ladies Wear. 

I met Wendy Roussin, one of our clients, at Ames and the CFO of CTC. I guess she was impressed with the way I handled myself and my work ethic. She recruited me to work at Coast to Coast Computer Products, Inc. I started working as a receptionist at CTC in Jan 1998. I learned every job in Administration and became the Operations Manager and assistant to Wendy Roussin within two years. I was also the HR liaison to the PEO company we were using. After a few years being the Operations Manager, I had the CEO/Owner, terminate his assistant since she was not doing her job. I told the CEO Rick that I will do her job and mine without any additional pay. Being Rick’s assistant was a great learning experience. 

So you started as our receptionist, worked your way to being our Operations Manager and the primary liaison to Human Resources for 18 years before being chosen as our CEO 4 years ago. That's incredible! Can you please share your secrets of success?

My secret is not a secret at all. I learned that there are no shortcuts to success. You must work hard and never give up. You do it one step at a time and remain humble in the process. And always do what you say you are going to do.

Coast to Coast has earned the Div500 Award from DiversityBusiness.com and I am personally proud of just how diverse we are as a company. Can you please share your ideas and best practices that are behind our continued growth and inclusion?

Coast to Coast is a second chance company. We also are a sales company. In order to succeed we must have the best salespeople. Talent sees no color. Neither do we. We hire and train people who are willing to learn and succeed. We hire people that sounds good on the phone and who can follow a sales pitch. The first interview is over the phone. It’s like the blind audition on the Voice. If you hear someone who follow a sales pitch you want to hire them and see what more, they can do. 

What empowering advice would you give to other women and minorities who may feel marginalized or overlooked in the business world? 

Make yourself valuable. Don’t stop learning new things. There is nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it. And always stay humble.

You're quite humble and very approachable, and we love that! We also love that CTC recently became a 100% employee owned company. How has that impacted our company culture?

It made our culture much better. An ESOP is a great motivator for all employees to grow the company. What’s good for the business is good for the employees. 

Why do you think it is that Coast to Coast retains both employees and customers for so many years? 

Our employees are the most important resource at Coast to Coast. We promote and nurture a culture in which each employee knows he or she is valued and respected. We recruit the best people available: people with high personal integrity, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. We look for positive attitude and extensive expertise.

In caring for our employees, our employees reciprocate by loyalty and good work. And this overflows to our customers.

What is your vision of the future of Coast to Coast Computer Products?

• To remain focused on the growth and innovation in the office and computer supply industry 
• To continue to build and maintain real customer relationships by emphasizing service and trust
• To make sure our employees succeed by giving them the best tools to achieve them.