Favorite Tesla Employee

[strider]

The one person I'd single out for special recognition is Neil Joseph. At a time when communication with Sig owners was at a low point and there was growing frustration, he worked tirelessly (literally, I don't think he slept for weeks at a time) to communicate with people and placate those of us who were growing increasingly anxious. He singlehandedly took an experience that was growing increasingly negative and turned it into a positive. And I know I wasn't the only one he did that for. He was also incredibly honest and forthcoming with information and admitting mistakes -- exactly the ideal example of a GREAT Tesla employee. I would love to see him recognized in some way.

Another vote here for Neil. He was a junior salesperson at Menlo Park when we bought our Roadster and he has been working hard for us ever since. We would get e-mail replies at all kinds of crazy hours. As Arnold said he's a straight shooter and if he doesn't know the answer he'll just tell you he doesn't know instead of trying to make something up.

He exemplifies the "hire smart people, work them like dogs, and promote them rapidly" model of successful silicon valley companies.

 

[stephenpace]

Whitney ... at the Dallas Texas, Service Center.... They are AWESOME!!!!

This is a good thread. As others have said, all the Tesla employees I've met have been great, and I don't want to offend any that I don't mention, but I would certainly second:

Whitney Smith, DS out of Houston (she's constantly in the road, and I've seen her in delivery photos from Texas to Florida). Her job is playing Santa Claus for adults and she does it well and with a smile on her face.

Also:

Milad Davoodi, AM out of the Houston Gallery. He seems to be everywhere (in the past week I've seen him at both Coffee and Cars in Houston as well as the hearing in Austin), additionally he's both a real car guy (comfortable quoting stats for the Hennessey Venom GT, I don't think anyone is going to out 'car guy' him in the Gallery) and an EV guy who drives a Leaf.

 

[Larry Chanin]

Ben Bird, Delivery Experience Specialist, out of the Tampa Service Center gets my top vote.

As a founder of a Tesla club I've had multiple opportunities to watch Ben in action as our local members take delivery. Ben is exceptional in his knowledge, but particularly in his patience and his sincere desire to make sure everything is as close to perfect as he can make it. I know for a fact that he spent 6 hours with a club member and his wife to make sure all their questions were answered. For another club member he arrived at 2:00 PM, but I know that he didn't get home until after 1:00 AM as he did everything that he could to make sure a charging problem wasn't due to something being wrong with the car. My own delivery experience with Ben was flawless. Tesla has a gem in Ben!

I would also like to acknowledge Neil Joseph, Program Manager, Delivery Experience, for his tireless efforts and responsiveness. It seems Neil never sleeps. No matter how late in the morning I send him an email, it seems that minutes later I get a response. When I reported a systematic problem that our club members were experiencing I did not receive a mere form letter. I received an almost immediate and comprehensive response explaining concrete actions being pursued.

I would also like to recognize the help we've received from Graham Carroll, Florida District Sales and Deliveries Manager. Graham and his staff have spent many sleepless hours hauling display vehicles across the state and back in the wee hours of the night in support of local EV advocacy EVents.

I would also like to give a nod to Will Nicholas, our previous store manager and now deservedly NE Regional Sales Manager for his support and professionalism in establishing the Florida Tesla presence.

Larry

 

[bonnie]

Okay okay, gotta play. Head nod to the amazing folks at Tesla - Micki, Troy, Graham, Ben, Johnny, Scott, Colette, David, Brian, George, Alex, and apologiestothoseImforgettingtomentionhere, but Jake Evangelos.

Jake was over in Menlo Park Service, is now heading up parts out of Fremont. He's the guy that pulled my logs when he saw I had a problem as a new owner and came in on his day off. He's the guy that drove down hours south to a Rabobank that had switched out their 70amp charger from a Tesla HPC to a J1772, leaving a Roadster owner stranded with no way to charge. He's the guy I call when I need service stuff and I'm not getting a response as fast as I'd like (I confess to being impatient at times...).

So thanks, Jake. You are the example that turned Roadster owners into such loyal fans.

 

[edschifman]

Alberto Cortinas...he runs the shop at the Dania Beach store. I have never had anything but a superb experience with him. He answers the phone late at night. He is a trooper that never give less than 110%. I think that he is the hub of the wheel that makes my service experience (what little there is) superb. I can't say enough positive about him.

- - - Updated - - -

Brandon Deleon was the service specialist that delivered the car to me, and we have continued to connect during the course of questions that need to be answered. He has gone well beyond the call of duty, and I think that he loves Tesla as much as we owners do. That is the kind of employee that any company would be pleased to have, but so much more important to a company that is just getting its feet wet as it starts its growth path. If they were all like Brandon, and I am told that many are, then we are in for continued fantastic customer experiences.

 

[jordanthompson]

Alberto Cortinas at the Dania Beach shop.
Of course its been said before: all of the Tesla employees I have met or spoken with have been amazing, but Alberto really shines. He has helped me with several projects I have done on my Roadster and always there to answer questions and make suggestions. I was kidding with him the other day that all of the guys that work for him are truly great and I asked him where he finds them... Well it occurred to me that it takes one to know one, so that must be how he can find them!

 

[Liz G]

Sean Berwald, my OEA. Without him I'm not sure I would have made it through the reservation and delivery process. Especially, when my car was damaged during transport. Not sure what I would have done without him to talk to and help me thru that terrible situation.

 

[JMO]

Really hard to choose one. They all have been great at the Dania Beach store. I have not met one employee who does not shine. I would have to nominate the entire Dania store employees. ALL are great.

 

[Doug_G]

Down in Cali: George Blankenship and Dan Myggen. I've met George a few times and he's always taken the time to talk and answer questions. Dan was the first Tesla employee I ever met, and he's always been extremely helpful - even after he changed roles at Tesla.

Here in Canada: Eli Edwards and Mark Lidstone. Both have really bent over backwards to help me out, many a time. They are always cheery, extremely knowledgeable and capable, and enthusiastic... and both have gone above and beyond on more than one occasion.

 

[cinergi]

Dan Myggen was my CA when I had my Roadster. He's now in charge of DS training. He's the only reason I'm still a customer.
(He's based out of the Deer Creek facility but is often at the factory for delivery stuff)
He spent HOURS on the phone with me working through my issues, listening to my feedback, etc.
We've met numerous times when I'm in Cali for work and he's hooked me up with some pretty special activities and items.
He's been there a long time now but still loves to geek out watching the factory machinery and is excited to be there.

 

[TEG]

Yes, he is one of my favorites too...

 

[ChadS]

Heck, I'll throw out another Dan Myggen vote. I mean, pretty much everybody I've met from the company has been really polite, smart, enthusiastic and hard-working and could get a vote (I could think of one or two minor exceptions that don't get quite all of those). But Dan always seems to be working really hard to give the customers what they want, is a very patient listener, and honest (including about answers he doesn't know, or can't talk about) and circumspect. There are fine lines between sticking to the company line and BS, between acknowledging concerns and kissing up, and between giving as much useful information as allowed and giving vague information that is not helpful. Dan seems great at walking all the lines but never crossing them. I trust him to give me as much information as he is allowed to, no more and no less.

 

[markwj]

Dustin Leitch, service manager Hong Kong.
Also, Naomi Takeuchi, Asia Pacific customer advocate.

Both go above and beyond. But, then again there are so many Tesla employees that go above and beyond, it is hard to single out one (or two).

 

[hcsharp]

There are a lot of very dedicated Tesla employees. I'm with Bonnie and others - it's really hard to pick a favorite. Mat Boarman, Jeff Liu, Noe Mejia, Tim and Chris from NY service. Tim showed up at my house one night with a large pizza right about dinner time. We all ate like starved lions. He refused to take a penny for it. There are others - please forgive me if I forgot somebody... No longer with Tesla but Jenna Burroughs stayed up until 1 AM one night to make sure my car was safe.

Sean Berwald, my OEA. Without him I'm not sure I would have made it through the reservation and delivery process. Especially, when my car was damaged during transport. Not sure what I would have done without him to talk to and help me thru that terrible situation.

I think they give Sean the "difficult" cases. (Ask me how I know...) He's good.

 

[brianman]

I have only positive things to say about all my Bellevue Store and Seattle Store (when it was a store) experiences. I never remember anyone's name, except for Lance (who's voice I never seem to recognize on the phone).

Also, a shout out to Walter Franck is definitely in order. His quick, direct, and thorough answers to our OCD questions throughout the reservation process has been noteworthy.

 

[StephenM]

Barry Abe of Tesla Service in Hawaii. He's the only employee here currently, but he exemplifies the Aloha spirit and the Tesla way, and always responds to my queries even though I can see that he's up to his eyeballs in work. A real asset to the company and we're lucky to have him.

 

[DavidM]

This is a good thread. As others have said, all the Tesla employees I've met have been great, and I don't want to offend any that I don't mention, but I would certainly second:

Whitney Smith, DS out of Houston (she's constantly in the road, and I've seen her in delivery photos from Texas to Florida). Her job is playing Santa Claus for adults and she does it well and with a smile on her face.

Also:

Milad Davoodi, AM out of the Houston Gallery. He seems to be everywhere (in the past week I've seen him at both Coffee and Cars in Houston as well as the hearing in Austin), additionally he's both a real car guy (comfortable quoting stats for the Hennessey Venom GT, I don't think anyone is going to out 'car guy' him in the Gallery) and an EV guy who drives a Leaf.

+1 for Whitney Smith. While everybody else was finishing their Christmas shopping a few days before Christmas, she had flown out to Florida to help out with deliveries. She delivered my car on 12/23 (yes Sunday) with all the patience and professionalism anyone could ever hope for. Thanks again!

 

[lolachampcar]

Senica Guiese, South East Sales Manager (I think that's right)
Senica is switched on, understands how the business works and thinks. I wish Tesla's structure empowered people like Senica to do more.

 

[Johnnyo71]

The whole staff at my TESLA service center in Tampa have done an impeccable job and have responded to all my questions right away. In addition, Ron Cuadro in Palo Alto was an absolute pleasure to work with prior to delivery. People like him are what make a company successful.

 

[roblab]

Joost deVries literally walked down the assembly line to report on my car in progress every day, then personally moved it along when it looked like they were going to delay delivery yet again when the car had been entered in a car show for the weekend before the fact. I could not believe the extra care and service.

I also feel like family when Alex Frank is around.

Dan Myggen tried to console me about custom colors on a Sig, but could not. Luckily Joost came along and it got done.