Employee Spotlight Brandon
BELLEVUE, Wash. (1/1/2019) This week’s spotlight shines on Brandon Leyritz, a customer outreach coordinator.
After 8 years at PSE, he says it makes him proud to see the direct impact we’re able to make on the communities that we serve, and that because of his role, he is able to see the positive impact every day.
Read more about Brandon, his perspective on the company and what he enjoys outside of the office.
What do you do at PSE and how long have you been here?
I’m a customer outreach coordinator (COCO). Basically I design and execute communication and outreach plans for distribution level projects with my amazing team. I’ve been at PSE for about 8 years. Before this role began, I was an advanced agent in the Customer Access Center.
Why did you want to work here? Or Why do you enjoy working here?
I had just retired from my football career and I was looking for a job to put my roots back in the ground here at home. A friend of my mom’s knew about an opening in the call center so I thought I would take a shot. I also had an uncle that worked here for about 20 years and he was never short on great things to say about the company, but a utility was the last place that I thought I would end up. When I first got here, I noticed that everyone I met had worked here for a long time so I figured that a company where employees want to work for 20… 30 years should be a pretty great place.
What one thing do you need to know really well to do your job?
You need to know how to foster and maintain various types of relationships. We not only interact with our customers, but we advocate for them to our internal project teams as well. The different departments we work with have slightly different needs and to keep everyone connected to the project world, we have to adapt our communication styles depending on who we’re engaging with.
What are you most proud of working at PSE?
I think I’m most proud of the direct impact we’re able to make on the communities that we serve. Working in outreach gives us a unique vantage point to see the positive change that we make on a daily basis. It doesn’t take long to see that we mean much more to people than just pipes and wires. We help them feel connected to this area (that’s not an electric pun.)
What’s one of your most memorable moments while working here?
Over my time at PSE, I’ve seen so many changes and experienced so many milestones. It’s hard to nail down just one memorable moment. One that sticks out in my mind was probably the first time I was exposed to outreach at PSE. We were campaigning the “No to proposition 1” in Thurston County. We had so much fun piling into vans and heading down to Olympia to door knock on Saturdays and staying late to cold call customers. The whole company was excited to participate. It was so amazing to see that all levels of the company were represented sitting side by side, rolling up their sleeves and supporting each other. We were all just PSE.
What’s most challenging about your job?
I think the most challenging part of my job is representing the company and representing the customers in the same transaction. The expectations can be so different sometimes. There are potentially so many stakeholders revolving around the same project with varying interests and at times we have to play mediator. That can prove difficult, but it makes our job exciting and you never know what you’re going to get from day to day.
What safety tip applies to your daily work?
I think being aware of our surroundings applies the best. We’re out in the field or driving to other offices so often that we never know what we’re going to encounter. Whether it’s a surprise dog that comes out from the backyard or another car that is trying to merge into our lane on the freeway, we always have to stay alert and plan ahead for any possible situation that could turn dangerous.
Of PSE’s values, which resonates most with you and why?
We all have a voice has always resonated with me. One of the things that I value about our company is that if you want to, you can feel like you make an impact. There’s no role that doesn’t help build PSE’s reputation with the community. We all play a part in making this company what it is and without one of us, it definitely wouldn’t be the same. We all have interdepartmental struggles from time to time and from my experience, there is always a clear communication line to the top. These qualities are some of what makes it feel like a family when we come to work, and like in a family, we all have a voice.
What’s your favorite place to eat?
I would generally say Japanese or Hawaiian food is my favorite. I’m not picky on a place.
What's your favorite vacation spot? Why?
Travelling is one of my all-time favorite things to do, but if I could only travel to one place ever again, it would probably be St. Kitts in the Caribbean. All my family is from there so whenever I go back, it just reminds me of home.
If you could do any job in the world for one day, what would it be and why?
I think I’d like to be a chef. Not in a stressed out, high-volume Gordon Ramsay style restaurant, but one where I could take my time and perfect each dish I created and then watch my guests enjoying it.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
My godfather would always tell me since I was a little kid, “Manners will take you where money can’t”.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
I think I’d like to be a dolphin.
What do you like to do outside of work? Any interesting hobbies or community service activities?
I’m a pretty busy guy. I’m actually a fully licensed Real Estate agent outside of PSE. I’ve always loved houses and meeting new people so being born and raised in this area, it’s a perfect side hobby.
I love being on the water and if the sun’s out, chances are you’ll find me on my boat in the middle of Lake Washington.
I’ve also played drums since I was about two years old. So next to football, music has always been a lifelong passion.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I think I would like to read minds.
What’s the best or favorite part about your job?
I think my favorite part of my job is that it’s different every day. When you deal with projects, there are so many factors that you can’t account for and so we have to be flexible on our toes to deal with whatever is thrown at us. Sometimes we love the “boring” days where we can just sit at our desk and crank out work.
If you could be on any reality TV show, which would you choose and why?
One of my favorite shows has always been Rob and Big. I may be dating myself by saying that, but they always had the best time and anything became an adventure for them. I still think the three of us would definitely be best friends.
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
I think The Rock might be able to capture my depth.
Do you have a pet? If yes, what type?
I don’t have one right now, but I’m a dog person.
