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Sustainability at ClearTech: The evolution of a critical client service

Led by CTO Joe Perez, ClearTech has developed a sustainable design practice that benefits clients as much as it does the planet. “It’s not a zero-sum equation where gains in one area entail costs in another,” says Joe. “Every day, ClearTech demonstrates that we can provide the best possible solutions for our customers while advancing sustainability on various fronts, from minimizing the environmental impact of our actions to developing partnerships that benefit vulnerable populations.”

We sat down with Joe to talk about how ClearTech puts sustainability into practice in ways that address the unique and evolving needs of the people and organizations we serve.

What’s the best way to maximize the value of sustainability practices for your clients?

“More than anything else, it’s about mindfulness. You can’t have a cookie-cutter approach to meeting your customers’ needs. Their individual strategies and circumstances come first. And with their goals in mind, we’re able to advance sustainability across the solution life cycle. The other thing we provide our customers is our up-to-the-minute knowledge about how we can incorporate sustainability strategies not just to conserve resources and reduce pollution, but to enable organizations to operate more efficiently and profitably. To that end, we’re always expanding our knowledge base and partner resources so that they can take advantage of best practices. In fact, we co-authored the AV industry’s first Guide to Sustainable Design & Installation.

Everyone knows that sustainability is good for planet, but does it come at a cost to those who put it into practice?

We work hard to make sustainability practices a win-win for the planet and for our industry. On the one hand, sustainability is an end unto itself. We want to conserve resources and develop practices that enable us to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. At the same time, there are huge benefits to reducing our resource use and finding ways to operate more efficiently. You can save a lot of money. And at ClearTech we do everything possible to make it easy for our clients to realize those savings.

The first thing we do is take the time to understand what our customers need from their AV solution. The more we know about our clients, the easier it is not just to satisfy their expectations but to exceed them. And our sustainability solutions help to make that a reality. For instance, we gain a comprehensive picture of all their uses cases and needs, and then we focus on how to achieve them in a way that maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste. It’s important to note that we were founded as a service company and have always had a strong sustainability mindset. Since those qualities have been with us from the start and are part of our culture, every member of our team has internalized them.

Take us through a project from start to finish.

Sure. I’ve already mentioned the care we take in the design phase. Now let’s say we’re moving on to a de-install of old equipment and infrastructure. Everything gets handled properly. Equipment that still functions is assessed and tested by our trained team. If it’s usable, our SAVe: A Second Life initiative works to give it a second life at the end of its first one by seeing that it’s donated to a community organization that can make use of it to better serve its constituents. If it doesn’t work, we send it to partners we’ve personally vetted for ethics and effectiveness – like Home Boy Industries and APEX Surplus. We’re aware that a lot of used equipment ends up on container ships where it’s dumped onto the beaches of developing nations. We do everything possible to make sure that doesn’t happen with the equipment we collect. If gear can be recycled, we make sure it’s done responsibly. If it must be disposed of, we make sure THAT’S done responsibly.

When we’re designing AV solutions, we gain a very clear idea of what’s needed as far as performance and features are concerned. Then we spec equipment that will get the job done as reliably and efficiently as possible. Moreover, we search out products from brands that are committed to sustainability, using third-part certifications and standards – among a host of other measures – to verify company claims. If a manufacturer doesn’t provide verifiable information about their commitment to sustainability, they fall way down the list of options for us.

When tasked with upgrading or replacing a client’s AV infrastructure, we seek out opportunities to reuse existing equipment. That may prevent us from making a sale on new equipment, but it will save the client money and help keep waste out of landfills. We weigh energy consumption of equipment and also look for ways to reduce power consumption of other equipment – for example, by using window shades, curtains, daylight harvesting technology, and various automation technologies to decrease the strain on HVAC. Whenever possible we try to use all-in-one components instead of separate components since that’s an effective way to reduce power consumption. We also incorporate technologies and protocols that reduce installation materials. Those are just some of the steps we take.

Once an installation is complete, ClearTech uses various configuration and scheduling tools to save energy. We also practice preventative maintenance to extend solution life and optimize operational efficiency. Some of our practices are high tech, some surprisingly low tech. For example, you wouldn’t believe how effective a simple checklist can be to ensure sustainability practices are followed.

So how does all this save a customer money?

A lot of it comes down to energy costs. The right equipment, properly supported, can slash your electrical, maintenance and repair costs. Sustainability is also about extending solution life. And if you have a piece of equipment that can be upgraded vs. replaced, you’re saving money.

Too often sustainability is seen as a “do-gooder” practice that gets in the way of running a business, but that kind of thinking just doesn’t apply in the modern world. Improving efficiency and solution longevity is a boon for the bottom line. And not only that, it’s a big asset for your reputation and brand image because more and more customers only want to do business with companies that care about sustainability.

What customers appreciate about ClearTech is the fact that we are a 100% customer-focused company. We’d never recommend a solution that was a step backward for our clients. The beauty of sustainable AV design and installation is that when it’s done right, using the best products and practices, it’s always a step forward.

Learn more about ClearTech’s commitment to sustainability.

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ClearTech Live Provides Professional Remote Production for Virtual Conferences

When your internal resources are stretched, ClearTech Live virtual conference production enables interactive, professional events and collaboration.

Putting on a high-quality virtual event like a town hall or investor conference requires a level of expertise that isn’t always readily available to an organization. When resources are stretched or unforeseen circumstances throw a wrench into your plans, ClearTech Live – a professional remote production service for virtual conferences – can be the answer you’re looking for.

ClearTech Live technicians will produce virtual gatherings remotely on the platform of your choice – giving your event the polish and predictability that will engage and retain any audience, while reinforcing your brand stature and sending a message of business continuity.

And after the successful conclusion of the event? ClearTech will provide a broadcast-quality recording that can be repurposed as a company video, training tool, press vehicle and other marketable assets.

“Our ClearTech Live production team will manage every detail, so your event is more interactive, effective and professional,” explains ClearTech Founder and President, Christina De Bono. “This service can be especially valuable in situations where you don’t have internal resources at the ready. ClearTech Live ensures you send a powerful message that you’re operating at full strength.”

ClearTech Live offers end-to-end production for any virtual event:

Pre-production – Including platform optimization, content gathering, preliminary buildup of elements in VMIX, OBS, Wirecast, etc., creating a run-of-show document, and conducting virtual rehearsals.
Live video production – ClearTech Live directs production remotely managing camera switching; PowerPoint, graphics and video content; start/stop stream and live-event troubleshooting.
Post-production – ClearTech delivers a high-quality recording of the event and will engage for a quick meeting debriefing/recap. The ClearTech team can also assist in repurposing recorded content for promotional and training purposes, etc.

“The better the production, the greater hold you have on the audience. This boosts participation, making your virtual event just as engaging as an in-person one,” says De Bono. “The ClearTech Live team handles everything remotely. There’s no need to bring in equipment or otherwise disrupt your workplace. We’ll handle all the details, freeing you to focus on your presentation’s content.”

For more information about ClearTech Live, or for media inquiries, please contact Dahlia Abrams at dahlia@cleartechav.com or by phone at 626-437-4959.

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ClearTech’s EduFLEX hybrid conferencing solution enables professional collaboration quickly in challenging conditions.

In the tumult of the pandemic, as high education institutions rushed to enable a hybrid classroom model, Pepperdine University in Southern California installed EduFLEX. This simple, consistent and flexible hybrid technology solution developed by ClearTech did far more than enable remote learning, however. In 166 classrooms across five campuses, it ensured an engaging environment for remote and on-premises participants and accommodated any combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Five years later, the pandemic seems to be behind us, but new disruptions have arisen. The January 2025 wildfires that tore through Southern California directly threatened thousands of organizations, forcing many to abandon their facilities and set up shop elsewhere. Through originally intended for the educational market, today EduFLEX presents itself as an ideal solution for organizations that need to maintain business continuity and ensure seamless collaboration in adverse conditions.

Here’s what Jared Mukai, Ph.D., manager of AV technologies and special projects at Pepperdine said about EduFLEX at the time. His comments could have been said yesterday:

We didn’t want our faculty to feel like they had to re-learn the technology, depending on where they taught. We needed a solution that would be turnkey and completely location agnostic, so no matter where you’re teaching, you could walk into the room and it was going to feel the same as every other space.There were a lot of complexities we needed to work through on a very tight timeline to ensure we’d be ready to support our students and teachers with online class instruction by mid-August. We evaluated various scenarios but…knew we needed a solution that could support all types of learning environments. ClearTech’s EduFLEX…was the clear choice given its reliability, flexibility and versatility to transform distance learning environments into engaging teaching experiences.

Christina De Bono, president, ClearTech, says, “The urgency felt by Pepperdine University is mirrored today by countless organizations that are scrambling to maintain business continuity. The beauty of the EduFLEX solution, however, is that it’s not just a stopgap. It delivers an in-person experience remotely with simplicity and ease of operation.”

For more information about EduFLEX, please contact Dahlia Abrams at dahlia@cleartechav.com or by phone at 626-437-4959.

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ClearTech CTO Joe Perez Co-Authors Pioneering AV Sustainability Resource

**SAVe’s Guide to Sustainable AV Design & Installation is an industry first**

Joe Perez was already an AV industry pioneer. As a co-founder of Sustainability in AV (SAVe), he helped to create the first U.S.-based industrywide organization dedicated to bringing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to pro AV. More than that, he ensured that SAVe offered actionable initiatives to enable meaningful progress.

“Initially I thought the challenge was to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable development and the blueprint for progress provided by the SDGs,” explains Joe, “but looking at our own organization, I could see that awareness was just a precondition for action. After achieving an understanding of the issue, our team needed tools, processes and partnerships that enabled them to make a difference.”

That’s why SAVe debuted in 2022 with initiatives like SAVe Certification, which helps organizations develop meaningful, actionable sustainability plans, and SAVe A Second Life, which provides resources to give AV gear a second life at the end of its first one.

In 2024, Joe partnered with SAVe’s Ambassador to Colombia, Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, to create an additional pillar in the SAVe platform: the Committee on Sustainable Design and Installation.

“As the owner of Integración AV in Bogota, Juan Carlos was well-aware of the opportunities our industry has to design and install AV solutions in a more sustainable manner. In fact, it was his idea to create the committee, and he is also the principal author of our first publication, SAVe’s Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation.”

In partnership with other committee members, Juan Carlos and Joe Perez spearheaded the first edition of what they intend to be a dynamic resource that can be regularly updated with best practices for design and installation. It’s available now to download from the SAVe website.

What makes the Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation unique – and why is it important?

*A Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation* created by the experts at Sustainability in AV (SAVe).

Joe: Well, the guide is unique because until now AV integrators have not had a resource that compiles best practices for sustainable design and integration. We at SAVe talk about transforming our industry from being a sustainability laggard to a sustainability leader, and the near total absence of resources is a great example of just how much progress we need to make. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were endorsed by all 193 U.N. member nations in 2015. Now we’re more than halfway to the 2030 deadline and pro AV is definitely playing catchup.

What kind of content does the guide include?

Most of it is fundamental. That’s because we’re starting from zero. So we begin with an overview of the issue, then get into essential actions integrators can take – like prioritizing products that reflect the principles of sustainability, including gear that’s designed for longevity and repairability, that uses materials that are sustainably sourced, etc.

We also focus on the reuse of existing usable equipment – which is essential if we’re to make a dent in the amount of electronic waste our industry generates. We also want to open integrators’ eyes to the issue of energy efficiency. If you’re doing a cursory comparison of equipment, you might conclude that some of is parity products – until you examine power consumption figures. The difference can be dramatic. Consequently, smart equipment choices can save yield significant energy savings.

Another easy way to move forward is to seek out multifunctional equipment that reduces the need for multiple devices. Likewise, there are new technologies that minimize the use of redundant cables and components.

Focusing on waste reduction, the guide also explores strategies for cleaner installations, more energy-efficient operation of those installations, and ways to optimize preventive maintenance to extend the life of equipment.

ClearTech's CTO Joe Perez is a co-founder of Sustainability in AV (SAVe) and helped to create its ground-breaking Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation. — ClearTech’s CTO Joe Perez is a co-founder of Sustainability in AV (SAVe) and helped to create its ground-breaking *Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation*.

Let’s return for a moment to the idea of selecting brands that are committed to sustainability. How can you be sure that they’re not just “greenwashing” you with spurious claims?

Good question. Basically, it’s incumbent on us as solution providers to do the research. In most cases, the information we need – and can trust – is out there. You start by looking for recognized third-party certifications and standards that cover the environmental impact of a manufacturer’s products, as well as energy efficiency and supply chain practices. Some important ones are TCO Certified, Energy Star, and EPEAT, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tools.

Also take note of how forthcoming a manufacturer is about its supply chain, production processes and sourcing practices. If a company is publishing sustainability reports, look for measurable and time-bound targets.

There’s a lot more to say about this issue. One thing I’d add is that at ClearTech, we’ve always been careful about the suppliers we use. Traditionally, our main concerns centered on performance and reliability. Today, we also factor in sustainability. Our customers know that we do everything possible to act responsibly without compromising the user experience.

Getting back to the idea of “spurious claims,” vigilance is required not only in the products you choose, but also in the partners you use. For example, our subcontractors have to abide by our sustainability guidelines. Likewise, when we’re pulling old equipment, we make every effort to reuse it, responsibly recycle it, or safely dispose of it. Again, we’ve gone to great effort to find recycling partners we can trust – because the unscrupulous ones are apt to tell you one thing and do something else entirely. Neither we nor our clients want to discover that equipment intended to be recycled has ended up on a container ship to Accra, Ghana where it becomes a horrible hazard to people and the environment.

It sounds like the SAVe Design and Integration Committee has its work cut out for it.

The challenge is significant, that’s for sure! But there’s tremendous progress that we can make, and the more we learn, the more effective we become. And let me tell you, we have some extremely dedicated and smart, experienced professionals on our team – foremost among them: Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, who also serves as a SAVe board member. Every day we tell ourselves, Let’s get to work. We have a planet to SAVe.

Again, where can people get the Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation?

You can download it from the SAVe website – where you’ll also find information about how to join our movement for change. Whatever your skill set may be, you can put it to use at SAVe. We need leaders and they come in all stripes.

Request the Guide to Sustainable AV Design and Installation

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ClearTech Gets Recertified as a WBE Women-Owned Business

Among ClearTech’s achievements over the past year, obtaining WBE recertification as a Women-Owned Business stands out as a significant accomplishment. The credential is important because it communicates valuable information not just about WHO we are, but WHY you’d want to do business with us. ClearTech founder and president Christina De Bono explains.

First, what is WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) Certification precisely?

It’s a recognized and respected certification for women-owned businesses. The certification was granted to ClearTech in 2012 by the Supplier Clearinghouse representing utility companies and other corporations in the State of California. To be certified as a WBE, the business has to be at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women.

Why is that important to a prospective client?

WBE Certification is important for a number of reasons. First of all, to become certified – or in our case, recertified after initially achieving WBE status in 2012 – we had to undergo a very thorough vetting. It included a review of business documentation, a site visit and more. The process is comprehensive, and certification is granted only to companies that that are well-run, well-capitalized and stable. So if you’re looking to engage the services of an integrator like ClearTech, WBE Certification will provide significant reassurance that we are an experienced, established partner. It tells you that we have the appropriate technical certifications in our field. It lets you know that we are licensed and bonded, operationally and financially sound, and can be counted on to deliver on our commitments.

WBE Certification is not a rubber-stamp pseudo credential. It’s hard to obtain and we are proud to have it.

Aside from providing reassurance that an integrator is on the up-and-up, are there other benefits of doing business with a WBE Certified integrator?

Oh, yes. Consider the fact that many corporations, government agencies and educational institutions have supplier diversity programs or requirements. Partnering with WBE-Certified businesses allows a client to meet those stipulations while preserving access to top-tier talent and services.

Your business may not have diversity regulations per se, but perhaps you have a CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in supply chains. Choosing to partner with a company like ClearTech aligns you with CSR initiatives.

Let’s talk about ClearTech specifically. How does being women-owned make your company more attractive to prospective clients?

Clients have told us that ClearTech brings to their projects a perspective that other technology providers sometimes lack. That perspective helps us develop solutions that truly meet their needs, advance their strategies, and sync with their cultures.

You know, women – and minorities in general – are not well-represented in the AV industry as a whole. Right now, I think only about 9% of our industry are women, with very few in executive and management roles. But women introduce a dynamic perspective that give you a fuller picture of today’s workplace. In ClearTech’s case, our team is very diverse including a lot of young people who have chosen ClearTech as their career destination.

I would make the argument that the diversity of our organization enables us to develop solutions that are truly in tune with our clients’ cultures and their fast-evolving workplaces. ClearTech’s technology expertise is unquestioned, but beyond that we have real insight into the needs and preferences of end users and stakeholders. And that insight drives technology adoption and long-term ROI.

Our strength lies in providing clients with AV solutions that truly meet their needs, and to that end the diversity of our team’s insights cannot be underestimated. WBE Certification is an integral part of what enables ClearTech to support our clients in creating adaptable, productive environments that enhance every interaction.

Meet the ClearTech team >>

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Meet Joseph Perez, a star of ClearTech: The Next Generation

One of ClearTech’s youngest employees, 23-year-old Lead Technician Joseph Perez is also one of our most experienced, having just celebrated his fifth anniversary at ClearTech.

“We hired Joseph in 2020 as an apprentice technician,” says ClearTech Director of Technical Services, Adam Mejia. “He was just 18 at the time, but he quickly proved himself to be proficient and reliable in everything he did. Part of that had to do with the quality of mentoring he received from other members of our technical team, but Joseph walked in the door possessing well-rounded knowledge, experience and sense of responsibility.”

You might say that for Joseph, technical acumen and a service ethic run in the blood. After all, he’s the son of Joe Perez, ClearTech’s Chief Technology Officer.

“Occasionally I’d bring Joseph along on jobs,” says Joe, “and it turns out that he did more than observe what we do – he absorbed it. I can remember one instance when we were working on a large project for Pepperdine University. Joseph was maybe 16 years old and he was directing us on how to outfit racks for the rooms.”

When Joe turned 18 and announced to his parents that he’d like to continue his education in an on-the-job capacity for ClearTech, the news came as a surprise to no one. Explains Joe: “Even though it was never my intention to have my son carry on in my footsteps, early exposure to our work just clicked with Joseph.”

In his capacity as Lead Technician – a position to which he was promoted in 2024 – Joseph serves as a linchpin on projects that require technical knowledge, managerial skills, superior communication and attention to detail. We spoke with him about his work and the trajectory of his career at ClearTech.

First, tell us about your new role as Lead Technician and what that involves.

Joseph: It was a big jump to move into this position for two main reasons – you have a much wider range of responsibilities, and you exercise quite a bit of independence on how you meet them.

Over the course of a day, there’s a lot of diversity in what I do. I find myself pulling cable and working with our engineers on the systems we’re installing while also maintaining overall communications with the team and our customers. I assist in system commissioning, too, and I also have a key role in training end users on their new systems. And at the same time, we have two new guys whom I’m managing and training. And I also manage a range of subcontractors.

It used to be that essentially all my work involved hands-on labor, but now at least 30% of my time gets divided between project management, commissioning and direct client work. The people part of the job has been really interesting because of the big-picture knowledge that’s needed to excel at it. You have to have an accurate picture of the entire job – but more than that, I need to have a grasp of our larger capabilities and how we can apply them to meet the clients’ needs going forward. It’s especially valuable with system commissioning, where I’m making sure that each component is working together and the integration is scalable for what might come next.

What are the qualities necessary to excel in your position?

It’s a combination of hands-on technical skills and social, managerial and organizational skills. A lot of it boils down to problem-solving ability. I’ve found that it’s important to have confidence in your own abilities, especially when it comes to managing other people. If we’re working on a big project, I can’t be there 24/7, so I have to rely on others to provide the same level of quality and attention that I’d provide. That involves being clear about the issues you’re dealing with and how to manage them. Before moving into this position, I didn’t realize just how reliant I’d be on communication skills.

How did you know that this field – and this company – were right for you?

Well, I was exposed to ClearTech from an early age, and I always felt comfortable here. But an important event in moving me in this direction was COVID. I was a junior technician, and there was a time when I was practically the only one in the company who didn’t have COVID. Suddenly my responsibilities amped up and it was a sink-or-swim situation. Being able to get through that time showed me I can do this.

Was it much of an adjustment for you to fit into the ClearTech culture?

No. The way we operate is very much like a close-knit family, and that’s an extension of the relationships I already had – not just with my dad, but I also have relatives who work here. We’re always available to one another, and our client relationships fit right in. Especially with long-time clients, I’ve gotten to know them and had the opportunity to connect on a deeper level. Also, I think clients really appreciate having a personal connection. That’s a key part of our culture.

For example, there are occasions when I’ll conclude a project and everything is installed and functioning, but the relationship will continue. Maybe they’ll have a question, issue or a desire to upgrade the installation in some way. I want them to feel free to call or text me. If I’m able to resolve an issue, great. At the very least I can connect them to someone who can. One of the things about ClearTech is that we all have a shared sense of responsibility.

Would you say that’s a defining quality of your team?

Yeah, and there’s something else, too. I think among all the techs, there’s a shared pride in the work we do. We want to do our best. And we want to keep improving. Whenever I come to the end of a project, I always ask myself, “What can I do to make the next one even better?”

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Becoming a true sustainability partner

In the face of growing threats to the health of our planetary ecosystem, ClearTech has embraced our responsibility to protect the environment and advance sustainability by aligning ourselves with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In fact, we involved our entire organization in creating a sustainability plan and have published it on our website.

ClearTech’s Christina DeBono discusses e-waste management.

There are two major outgrowths of our initial sustainability efforts. First, ClearTech’s leadership team founded the 501(C)3 non-profit SAVe, or Sustainability in AV. It’s the first industrywide, US-based organization with a mission to educate, unite and mobilize the AV sector to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Second, we have leveraged our knowledge to assist ClearTech clients in managing their technology infrastructures more sustainably. We did so, in part, because our clients started asking us to help facilitate the reuse, repurposing and responsible recycling of their equipment.

ClearTech founder and president Christina De Bono, who is also the co-founder and president of SAVe, talked about her company’s efforts to help clients minimize their environmental footprint.

Tell us a little about your journey to increased awareness about sustainability.

Christina: As a member of the audiovisual (AV) industry, ClearTech can have the greatest impact in helping our clients make progress toward SDG Goal 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

After all, our industry’s business model is essentially predicated on the constant refreshment and replacement of AV technology. The problem is, producing AV products requires increasingly scarce resources, and disposing of obsolete technology can exact significant damage to our planetary ecosystem.

What can we do, then, to reduce the environmental footprint of technology? First, we can educate our clients about the issues they’re facing, and second, we can facilitate their efforts to do the right thing in regard to how they deal with old and obsolete equipment. The goal is simple: to use technology in a way that minimizes resource use and to dispose of end-of-life equipment in a manner that minimizes environmental damage.

So here are some of the services we offer our customers:

We provide important resources that are hard to find elsewhere, such as a SAVe QUICKSTART Guide to help organizations develop sustainability programs.
Through our involvement in SAVe, we also facilitate SAVe Certification for industry members. You can find more details about that on the SAVe Resources Page.
We consult with customers about identifying equipment that can be reused and repurposed rather than simply replaced.
We provide resources for the removal, reuse, repurposing and responsible recycling or and disposal of equipment.

Is it difficult to recycle properly?

There are definitely hurdles. You have to remember that the recycling industry is essentially unregulated, with few laws about how to recycle equipment and basically no penalties for recyclers who do not follow through on their stated procedures. Moreover, our government does not provide incentives or subsidies for recycling.

Now consider the end user, or the organizations that have old equipment they need to get rid of. How can they know which recyclers are reputable and which aren’t?

Well, ClearTech is trying to help them. We’ve done extensive vetting of recyclers in southern California and have identified ones that actually walk the walk. For example, we’re big fans of Homeboy Industries in the Los Angeles area. This is a remarkable organization that serves high-risk, formerly gang-involved men and women with services and programs that help them get on a more stable path. One of those programs, Homeboy Electronics Recycling, is an award-winning, full-service IT asset disposition and electronics recycling company. They provide certified, secure and ethical solutions for electronics at the end of their life.

We also partner with Apex Surplus, which provides scrap metal recycling and liquidation in Los Angeles County. They assist both businesses and individuals by providing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to prolong the life of recycled goods.

So you do the work that your customers might not be able to do.

One would hope that the kind of resources we provide would be readily available to everyone, but that’s not yet the case. Consequently, we’ve found that our customers really appreciate the kind of help we can offer. The fact is, most businesses want to do the right thing. They just don’t know where to get started or how to follow through. That’s where we can help.

You said this was part of your culture of partnership, right?

One hundred percent. You know, we don’t force these resources on our clients. They’re asking for them. In many ways, ClearTech is just doing what we’ve always done: keeping our ears and eyes open to the needs of our clients and doing everything we can to make it easier for them to achieve their goals.

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What it means to really “be there” for our clients

What it means to really “be there” for our clients

By continuously honing our systems and processes, ClearTech provides tremendous peace of mind for clients trying to navigate non-stop technological change and the rapid evolution of the workplace. Offerings like ClearTech Connect Managed AV Services, for example, ensure the working status of our clients’ collaboration infrastructure and keep them a step ahead of the technology curve.

But everything we do – including every system and process – is built on a foundation of personal commitment and partnership. That’s what sustains our long-term client relationships and keeps us true to our mission.

Case in point: David Navarro, a ClearTech team member who embodies our ethos of making business personal. Working in the capacity of warehouse manager, service coordinator and project coordinator, David touches every aspect of what we do – and both we and our clients are the better for it. Allow us to introduce you.

First, tell us a little about how you came to ClearTech.

David: During my undergraduate years, I worked seasonally for the company – maybe for a month or two at a time. Initially, my goal was just to earn extra money for school. I was studying Health Sciences. But I really gravitated to the work and the culture at ClearTech, and after earning my BS I accepted the offer of a full-time position.

What is it about the company and the position that appealed to you?

Well, the work really aligned with my strengths. I’m a very detail-oriented person, I have a strong memory, and people tell me I’m a good communicator. Along with just being dedicated and responsible, it turns out that those are probably the three keys to succeeding in my job.

Essentially, I wear three hats. My official title is Warehouse Supervisor, and in that capacity I oversee and manage all the shipping, receiving and ordering of equipment. It’s a job that puts me pretty much in the center of everything. I work with the people who design our solutions and the teams that integrate them, and I’m intimately involved in service and support. When you do complex, high-end work like we do, there are a lot of moving parts, which means communication and follow-through are essential. I might be successful in juggling a thousand details, but what happens if I forget, say, to order a key peripheral that we spec’d for a solution? That can reverberate in ways that add days a project and can, in turn, impact other projects. Fortunately, I’m a person who checks and double-checks. I know how important the little things can be and it’s kind of a point of pride for me to get them right.

Another hat I wear is Service Coordinator, which means I’m a first responder for any service requests that come in from clients. I ask what the issue is, then go ahead and coordinate our service techs to diagnose and fix the problem. This involves creating service tickets and making sure all the work is recorded. Then I have to schedule out the service techs for all the jobs. Plus, I quote the service projects and make sure we get paid.

Third, I’m a Project Coordinator. In that role, I handle project ordering, project creation, and procurement, plus a number of post-completion tasks. For example, I receive gear that we end up not using on a job. It’s on me to return it to inventory and ensure it never gets lost, because we may need that precise piece of equipment in the future.

You mentioned being dedicated and responsible. Do you think those qualities come naturally to you?

I do. I come from a family that has a powerful work ethic. I grew up in an environment where everywhere I looked, I saw people working hard. But I think dedication and a willingness to take responsibility are also things that an organization brings out in people.

Would you say that ClearTech has done that for you?

Very much so. Doing the right thing, helping your coworkers, going the extra mile for clients even when it adds time or complexity to a project…those actions are valued and rewarded here. They’re part of our culture.

Tell us more about the ClearTech culture.

I think a core feature of it is that we treat everyone like family. We don’t know each other only as coworkers. We know people’s parents and brothers, sisters, and kids. For example, we have quarterly barbeques where everyone is welcome to invite their family members. By the way, we also extend an open invitation to clients and vendors.

If you looked at my phone, you’d see that I not only have the numbers of most of the people at ClearTech, but also a lot of our clients. We’re one of the few companies where a customer is welcome to call any of us directly when they have an issue. You don’t have to go through a phone tree on an 800 number. When it comes to helping clients we all take responsibility. And that’s because we all genuinely care about them. We also have a strong problem-solving mentality. If a client calls me with a problem I don’t know how to solve, lots of times I’m going to just figure it out, learn it and attack it. The attitude is: We get it done.

And if a coworker needs help, the same attitude prevails. After all, everything we do ultimately is about serving the clients, and the better we are at that, the stronger and more successful an organization we’ll be.

Any other ways that ClearTech’s culture impacts the way you do your job?

It’s amazing the way we’ve embraced sustainability. And once you start, you can’t stop. Even with scraps of cable that, back in the past, I would have thrown out, now it goes into a specific receptacle. We don’t even throw screws in the trash.

Oh, there’s another aspect of our culture that’s important, which is that ClearTech cares about us as people, not just employees. Here’s a good example: My dad had a catering business that I’ve since taken over. At a lot of organizations, this would be seen as an imposition – something that could distract me from my full-time job. At ClearTech, I’ve become the resident caterer! I love the catering, and it’s such a pleasure to be able to cook for my coworkers and clients.

I think when you feel valued like that, you just work harder. You care more. We have a tight-knit group at ClearTech, and that extends to our client relationships. There’s a feeling that we’re all in this together, and that we’re where we’re supposed to be.

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