Employee Spotlight: Meet Daniel Escobar

Daniel Escobar  |  Customer Service Supervisor  |  Alameda, CA

Q. What is your current role at Penumbra?

I was recently promoted to Customer Service Supervisor and serve as a resource for the neuro and vascular reps in certain US regions.

My day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to, travel stock inventory replenishment for our sales team, bill-only purchase order processing, analyzing consignment agreements for shipment, and processing unique orders.

I also generate Returned Material Authorizations for devices that need to be returned or exchanged. I field order-related inquiries from our Sales team and have begun updating and generating work aids for our more complicated customer service support scenarios.

Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?

I enjoy working with a reliable team that has your back. When I joined Penumbra, I felt shy because I thought I would have a difficult time making connections with my team from behind a screen. Eventually, I found my voice and a team willing to listen and collaborate with me as I progressed through my training and learned more about our procedures from them. I am grateful for the time we spent getting to know each other online and look forward to days onsite where we can help each other in person over a cup of coffee.

Q. Describe yourself at age 10. What career aspirations did you have at that age?

When I was 10, I wanted to be a detective – specifically a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I enjoyed playing deductive reasoning games (playing Sudoku on long, rainy bus rides to school was my jam). I just felt a sense of accomplishment when I solved a mystery, and I found that followed me into adulthood. Sometimes, I find that I get to put on my detective hat to resolve a discrepancy with a customer’s order or provide support to our reconciliation team when a question arises, which I find quite satisfying.

Q. Describe a travel adventure that you’ll never forget.

A few years back, my wife’s family surprised her with an Icelandic excursion. I was shocked to find that I was invited, too (we were only dating at the time). I never in my wildest dreams thought I would visit Reykjavik. Standing between two mountains in pitch black, watching the aurora borealis was mesmerizing. Dining on the freshest seafood and dipping into thermal pools was heaven. The Icelandic people have a saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” I feel this saying applies to the Bay Area and life itself.

Q. What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?

• Tackle the most difficult task at the start of your day because you never know what is around the corner.

• Be willing to say yes to opportunity when it comes knocking even if you are scared. It means people trust you and want to hear your voice.

• Take the time to foster relationships with your team for growth and healthy longevity.

Q. What is your personal philosophy?

Strive for excellence, not perfectionism. Mistakes are bound to happen, and it is important to recognize that we all have faults. All we can do is brush ourselves off, learn from our mistakes and actively work on being better the next time.