LANDED! Blog – Leslie Morales

Name: Leslie Morales

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliemorales5962/

Executive Network Member Since: 2017

Newly-Landed Position + Company: Vice President of Operations at U.S. Rubber Recycling, Inc.

Prior to landing your new position, were you currently working or in transition? I was in transition but also under contract with an automotive telematics company. I was doing some business development work for them for the past seven months while also still in search of a full-time role. I was also doing some pro bono career coaching with the military as a member of the Executive Transition Assistance Service Team out of Camp Pendleton.

How did you get connected to the company where you landed your new role? That’s the best part of my story! I met U.S. Rubber’s current CEO/President, Jeff, in 2017 at a McDermott + Bull Roundtable event. Jeff and I had met several times over the years and had exchanged LinkedIn messages. I had followed up with him last October just as a touch point and to let him know that I was still in my job search. At that time, he indicated he might have an opportunity after the first of the year, as the company was going through a tremendous growth spurt. Sure enough, he reached out to me the first week of January with an opportunity that he had in mind for me. He specifically wanted me, as he knew what my experience and expertise were, and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse!

What allowed you to stand out during the interview process? The CEO knew that I had experience scaling a business and improving bottom-line performance through process efficiencies during my many years in operations at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. This expertise along with my people skills are what attracted him to me for the position.

Did you encounter any challenges while being vetted for this new position? Not really a challenge per se, but my concern was that I did not have manufacturing experience, and this role oversees a factory where rubber flooring, gym flooring rolls, and tiles are produced. Jeff assured me that he could teach me all that I needed to know about the manufacturing process. He wanted me for the role due to my other transferable skills.

If you could give an in-transition executive any piece of advice, what would it be? NEVER GIVE UP NETWORKING! This is so important, as you never know who that person is that will lead you to your next opportunity! Also, pay it forward when possible. Be selfless, not selfish, during networking and job search. One of the things Jeff said impressed him was when he asked me to mentor a friend of his who had just started at Enterprise. Honestly, I thought nothing of it, and said, “Of course I would do that!” I believe Enterprise is a fantastic company, especially for young people starting out, so I wanted to help if I could. Jeff said that stuck with him and it was one of the reasons he wanted me for the role. It showed him that I had great character. It’s the little things that count!

What events and/or resources offered by the Executive Network have helped enhance your career? I took advantage of the Executive Networking Groups and Roundtables hosted by various facilitators such as Jim Rettela, Tom Oser and Hollie Mileski, as well as attended whatever social networking events that M+B hosted. I was also just about to join the Accountability Program with the McDermott + Bull Executive Network, but I didn’t get the chance since recently landing my new role.

Suggested Resources For Your Reference:
Executive Network Event Calendar
Accountability Program