In her own words: Telepacific Communications' Elisa Wood

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company.

Elisa Wood: TelePacific Communications is a competitive voice and data carrier serving business customers throughout Nevada and California. Headquartered in Los Angles, our customer care centers are located in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Stockton. In business since 1998, we have been providing small and medium-sized businesses with the level of service usually reserved for only the largest customers. Presently, we are 1,100 employees strong, and recently welcomed new members to our corporate family via the acquisition of Sacramento-based 01 Communications.

NNBW: What role do you play in the company?

Wood: Direct sales in the Reno office, although I can sell anywhere in our footprint.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Wood: I really came to Telepacific because of my interviews with my general manager, Kim Salinas. Smart, upbeat lady that loves her job. Makes it great for me.

NNBW: What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?

Wood: In order to succeed in this position, I need the ability to listen and provide a solid solution to my customers. I need to ask the right questions and truly understand the needs of the business I am meeting with. I also need a great deal of persistence and tenacity.

NNBW: If you could have had any other profession what would it have been?

Wood: Performance - singing/theater.

NNBW: Why wasn't it your first choice?

Wood: It was, and I did make it my first choice. But family and marriage came up and that was more important. It's hard to be a working artist and have a full family life. So, I indulge myself on a part-time basis now.

NNBW: What do you like to do when you're not working?

Wood: Hang out with the kids and grandkids. Family is still really important. Don and I make music together, I read a lot and my new passion is researching my family tree.

NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?

Wood: Never forget a "no" is not personal. And make sure you go back and see what you could have done differently to learn for the future ... then move on.

NNBW: What person, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with, and why?

Wood: Frank Sinatra. The man was a fabulous performer and lived a pretty crazy life. Knew a lot of different people. I think the conversation would be amazing.

NNBW: Would you rather be younger, thinner, richer or smarter? Why?

Wood: Smarter. It takes care of all the rest.

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Wood: Don't have regrets. It will eat you up. Learn from mistakes and get on with life.

NNBW: What do you like most about your job?

Wood: The people I get to meet and work with, both clients and co-workers.

NNBW: What do you like least?

Wood: Probably the same, some days.

NNBW: : What are five things you can't live without?

Wood: My family, my pets and books, oh, and ice tea. The rest isn't important.

NNBW: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why would you want it?

Wood: Magical powers so I could do more to help others. Just make it happen.

The basics:

Name: Elisa Wood, senior account executive, Telepacific Communications.

How long have you been in this job? Two years.

How long in sales? Over 20 years.

Education: Theater arts, University of New Mexico.

Best book you've read? Anything Ayn Rand.

What's on your iPod? Depends upon the day.. Hendrix, Eagles, Katy Perry, Melissa Ethridge, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble', Everclear, Santana...too many to begin to name, really.

The best movie ever? Wow, hard question. I'm kind of a dork. I love all the Harry Potter movies.

Spouse, kids or pets? Significant other - Don Carpenter, great guy. Grown kids, two girls, two boys, and three cats and a dog. Plus two grandchildren - love 'em!