Staff Profile Series: Marcos Quezada, President of EcoTech Services

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marcos and asking him a few questions about EcoTech Services in order to gain a more intimate look at the finer workings of this small, but mighty company.

1. Why did you start this company?
   MQ: “EcoTech was started in response to the changing water conservation market. Agencies were looking to change behavioral change programs to more direct installation programs. The goal was to offer indoor/ outdoor retrofits to help homes and commercial sites be more water efficient.”

2. What about this company makes you the proudest?
   MQ: “The team is what I am most proud, there have been many changes through the years. The best part is how EcoTech invests in their employees to run their own programs. It hurts to see some employees leave over the years but I am proud knowing that they are able to impact the world of water conservation by using the skills and knowledge we give them. Our employees past and present have maintained contact with me and at times we have collaborated on projects together.

3. What are the three best elements of the current employee experience?
   MQ: ”From an employee’s point of view, with a small company, we are able to care about every employee. We are small enough to feel like a family and that goes a long way. We offer a very competitive wage and benefit package within our industry. EcoTech harbors mutual respect between the company and their employees. Because we focus so much on the employee’s professional development, we can respect that they’re going to be mistakes in the process. But we allow our employees the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and allow them to work through it.”

4. How do you motivate people to give their best?
   MQ: ”Building trust, not micromanaging activities, allowing employees to flourish. Showing the employees that there is a bigger picture, everything they do pours into the same cause. By making the work environment very easy going, providing a work environment that is productive and creative, not adding additional pressure, and providing the tools necessary. We are asking people to accomplish a task but if you do not have the tools, they will not be able to accomplish the task at hand.”

5. What attracts high-quality talent to this company?
   MQ: ”Type of services that we provide, makes it very rewarding for the individuals working in our company. We are not selling a service or product; we are giving it away. These services help save the environment and that entices potential employees to become part of the solution.”

6. What makes an employee want to stay at this company?
   MQ: ”We care about the employee, and we take care of our employees. We don’t see them as a number, we build a relationship and foster that relationship with what was said earlier (question #4) about the tools we provide. Management and field staff get along and are able to complete projects much more efficiently. We are dynamically changing with the industry from laws, wages, and regulations that gives the employee assurance in knowing we are in compliance with all of our work. We are a legitimate business and we don’t steal or misrepresent facts to gain more work or recruit any employee. Trust is a big factor and it must be communicated from the top down. Employees like that we have processes, an employee handbook, and formal onboarding.”

7. Where do you envision the company in five years? Ten?
   MQ: ”I picture EcoTech having a very well-established landscaping division where we are not solely relying on agency work, to where our private sector work makes up 50% of our revenue. I see us being the company that removes the most square feet of turf in 5 years and become the top turf remover in the state.
   In 10 years, I foresee us having the most advanced technology possible for the implementation of programs. Water consumption per device can only go so low. Landscape turf removal is the best way to go for water conservation. Landscape construction will always be there with new housing/commercial developments being built every day. I foresee us owning our first office, warehouse, and yard.”

8. What do you do outside of EcoTech?
   MQ: ”I devote a lot of time to help raise 3 young boys with my wife, Veronica. I also help Veronica with her business of selling leather products by helping her grow and expand.”

9. Who’s your favorite employee?
   MQ: ”Yeah I don’t think I can answer that one (lots of laughter)”