Faces of Electrocube
Meet the team
At the heart of Electrocube’s success is our dedicated team of executives, design engineers, sales and support staff, quality assurance and manufacturing experts. Many have careers with Electrocube that span decades.
The Electrocube family is the most important part of what we do for the family of customers, suppliers and associates we serve. Take a moment to get to know some of the faces behind the Electrocube company.
Team Bios
Clay Parrill, President
The engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company is literally in Clay Parrill's genes, as a member of one of Electrocube's founding families. A management veteran of the automotive processing industry, Clay was eager to leverage his experience, knowledge and interests by owning his own company. The opportunity to lead Electrocube evolved from a conversation with his father in the late 1990s. Since then, Clay's not only found what he was looking for, he remains engaged in the dynamic landscape of the industry.
"Our work is flexible, agile and challenging," says Clay. "On any given day, I wear a bunch of hats – sales, engineering, finance and human resources. I don't have a `typical’ day here. I love that unexpected diversity."
A self-professed computer nerd, Clay brings his interests of computers, technology and aviation to his work. "In sixth grade, I wanted to be an astronaut. In college, I was active in aviation, even getting my commercial pilot's license. Electrocube is the blending of those interests."
Personality is the signature difference in the services and products that Electrocube provides. "We balance hard work and fun, where quality is our benchmark. Yes, we're corporate and serious, but we also add our personalities to what we do. I think that's the real difference for our clients — outstanding services and products provided by reliable, real people."
Honesty and integrity – qualities woven into their business from employees to clients – are key components of that personality and cornerstones of Clay's and business partner Don Duquette's shared philosophy. "We believe in core values, not quick deals. Dedication is a great descriptor for our company – to each other and our clients. A strong, family atmosphere under one roof is my favorite part of Electrocube."
A devoted husband and father of three, Clay's external interests spurn the same connectivity and challenge as his work. Being a dedicated church volunteer, an avid outdoorsman and world traveler provide a balanced outlet to his professional life. "I was born in the city, but have country in my blood. That kind of balance with honesty and integrity to everything in my life is a continuous goal, not an end result."
Don Duquette, Program Manager
As a member of an Electrocube founding family, Don Duquette is a part of the engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company’s legacy and future. A manufacturing engineer in military electronics, Don’s previous employment – including that at a contract assembly house – made him particularly well-suited to co-helm Electrocube in 2000.
“In my past work experience, it was commonplace to have people in a company for 30 years. People matter,” says Don. “At Electrocube, that tradition of loyalty stands strong – working hard for our customers and one another – while continuously moving the company forward.“
Task- and project-oriented, Don focuses on leveraging each person’s strengths and managing the details – a strategy designed to keep Electrocube positioned to thrive well into the future.
“We’re all a part of Electrocube’s success by doing what we each do best. For instance, my specialty is tactical work – numbers, writing work instructions, cost estimates and product pricing,” says Don. “Clay’s strength is strategy and employee, client and government relations. We complement each other – doing our part and doing it well.”
Don’s business craftsmanship is reinforced by his hobbies. “Church activities, wood and machine-working – I learned a lot from my Dad. In fact, his hand-crafted manufacturing equipment still sits in our shop as a reminder to ingenuity born out of necessity and equipment built right and built to last,” says Don.
But, it’s his love of motorcycling, backpacking and hiking and that truly round out Don’s strengths. On weekends, he can be found on an antique motorcycle or hiking in the High Sierras, a trek he and business partner, Clay Parrill, make yearly. “What’s not to like – clean air, fantastic vistas? It’s important to maintain perspective. We don’t talk business out there, but we bring that sense of focus and purpose back with us. It’s in everything we do at Electrocube.”
Purpose. People. Personality. These are hallmarks of Don’s work at Electrocube. “I like to say we’re all bozos on this bus,” adds Don. “A company is made of people – each one is a unique personality with specific strengths – all of whom make our work enjoyable. We [Clay and I] continue to encourage those unique personalities to deliver quality products and solutions to our customers.”
Tom Colella, Engineering Manager
Since 1984, Tom Colella’s dedication to perspective is a unique and valuable trait he brings to Electrocube – an engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company.
“I like to approach and look at things with different facets to see and think in new ways,” he says. As the engineering manager, Tom oversees product design and production, develops process specifications and ensures that client requests for technical assistance are handled well.
“I have always enjoyed the technical aspect of living. There’s nothing like developing a product from design to reality. It’s an exciting and satisfying challenge.”
An industry veteran since 1972, Tom’s products can be seen on Mars, under the sea and up in the air – a diverse grouping of products for a diverse group of clients. “I like interfacing with clients, seeing through their eyes and developing what they each need.”
Like his approaches to complex design solutions, Tom came to Electrocube via an unconventional route. Working as a rock band guitarist aboard a Mississippi riverboat to pay for college, Tom developed his then-hobby for electronics. In the midst of his pre-med schooling, he chose to pursue electronics, earning an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from West Coast University. He never looked back.
“I always told my two sons, `If you really like something and can make it your life’s work, you never really work a day in your life.’”
Tom’s personal pursuits enhance his continuing efforts to imagine what it’s like to be in a different place and time. A fan of classic black-and-white movies, he seeks flicks that realistically capture the true feeling and emotions of the film’s era. A devoted newlywed since 1971 and an amateur geologist and historian, Tom and his wife search and explore towns and mines in the Southwest. “We like to get out, get away and really try to feel what it was like to be there.”
Wendy Navarrete, Sales Manager
Wendy Navarrete is the voice and heart of Electrocube, an engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company. Partnering directly with clients, reps, OEMs and distributors, Wendy's work ethic includes persistence, accommodation, accountability and extreme care to maintain the highest level of service.
And, she's provided that service excellence since 2000 — a rookie by Electrocube standards — to a bevy of diverse clients. "We're all family here, inside and out. Everyone who calls is a friend – so I give it my all." It’s a philosophy that flows through Electrocube. "It's fun and different every time. We all share a deep sense of pride in ensuring our clients' expectations are exceeded."
A working mom whose past experience includes managing an apartment building, a retail clothing store department, a family of three children and putting herself through computer school, Wendy has represented the hallmark of service throughout her career.
"Customer service is about constantly stretching and striving. Making things happen. Exceeding expectations. We're dedicated to that. But, everybody needs a reliable go-to person who they can call and know they will get a solution. I'm thrilled to be that person."
Her interest in real people and relationships extends to her personal interests, including non-fiction stories of ordinary people overcoming extraordinary odds. "Like the books I read, every person I speak with is real and has a unique story. At home and at work, I always remember that."
Mike Makardish, Quality Assurance Manager
Since 1998, Mike Makardish has brought years of meticulous detail-orientation and precision, a fierce dedication to safety and uncompromising quality to Electrocube – an engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company.
“I like things done right – as close to perfect as possible. Electrocube provides quality products to our customers that are correct according to their specifications and compliant to industry standards. Quality contributes to safety – one of our top priorities,” says Mike.
What was a fortuitous, albeit accidental employment path for Mike was a perfect fit for his skill set and interests. “I really fell into quality. I was a conscientious A & P aircraft mechanic – maintaining meticulous documentation – which led to an inspection position, and then to quality management including FAA DMIR licensing. As a result, I’ve had the chance to bring my love of detail and doing things right to larger processes.
A veteran of the aerospace industry since 1982 – knowing products from the inside out – ensures quality through all stages of manufacturing, according to Mike. “I make sure I understand each component, using sound judgment and information. The more we understand a product, the better Electrocube can work through and troubleshoot design or specification challenges.”
As manager of Electrocube’s Quality Department, Mike is also used to standing firm, holding a unique position within the company – as a liaison between Electrocube and the FAA.
“As a company, we’re dedicated to providing our customers precision quality products. As quality assurance manager, satisfying FAA requirements ensures product approval. That means I’m devoted to quality while balancing the interests of our company, the FAA and our customers.”
In fact, Electrocube’s customer specifications and ISO9000 & AS9100 (standards) policies and procedures are written around just that – extremely high standards of quality assurance for top-level compliance. “Our processes ensure that we take the time we need to get the job done right for everyone involved.”
Mike’s desire to provide quality isn’t limited to his work. A black belt in Karate and a dedicated member of his church, Mike has also played drums for jailed juveniles at a monthly mass for since 1992. “To use your talent for something good, to bring genuine smiles to these kids’ faces, you just can’t buy that feeling.” For a man whose work is to make processes better, he continues to assure it.
Margie Arias, Controller
Service with a smile. Personality. Adventurer. These are the distinctive traits of Margie Arias, Electrocube controller – an engineering design, manufacturing and sources servicing company of passive electronic components. Since arriving in 2008, Margie has become an integral member of the Electrocube family – managing the company’s finances and daily accounting functions.
“I love my job and this company. At Electrocube, everyone gets along. There’s a really good atmosphere here. It all comes from the heart – for one another and our customers,” says Margie.
Working with Electrocube managers and customers on all things financial, Margie’s ease and sincere nature make for pleasant, solid transactions in the world of customer relations and finance – a hallmark of Electrocube’s devotion to its clients.
“At Electrocube, we have an amazing rapport with our [internal and external] customers. As an individual, I genuinely enjoy talking with them. I see my interaction with customers as an extension of that devotion to provide the best service with our many part offerings while continuously managing the financial health of our company,” notes Margie.
Controller by day, adventurer by weekend. An avid skier, SCUBA diver and camper, Margie is a seasoned world traveler – having frequented Belize, Honduras, most of Europe and anywhere she and her husband choose next.
“I love to travel. The beautiful places to go, the gorgeous scenery and exotic animals to see, the exciting things to do and the wonderful people to meet – it brings everything to life and provides wonderful perspective to everything I do, including my work.”
As proud wife, mother of one daughter and grandmother of two grandchildren, Margie shows no signs of slowing down at home or at work. “Electrocube is a great company with a wonderful tradition. I’m both honored and excited to be a part of its tradition to keep it thriving for a long time to come.”