In her own words: Emily Andrews of Utility Telephone

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of your position.

Emily Andrews: Utility Telephone provides business telephone and Internet services with a focus on 100Mbps symmetrical Internet solutions. I'm an account executive and manage customer accounts in northern Nevada and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

NNBW: How did you get into this profession?

Andrews: It is all about networking! I met my former manager at a BBQ and was asked if I wanted to work in the business.

NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?

Andrews: Staying focused and don't promise something you can't deliver.

NNBW: How does your company compete with larger telephone service providers?

Andrews: Our company's biggest focus is local customer care and engineering your needs.

NNBW: What was your first job?

Andrews: Teaching tennis at San Ramon High School in Danville, Calif.

NNBW: Tell us about your dream job. Why aren't you working it?

Andrews: Helicopter ski guide and taking guests powder skiing. But I would have to move and make little money.

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

Andrews: Be prepared to work many hours overtime and to listen to your client's needs.

NNBW: What's the most fun you have had on the job?

Andrews: Laughing with clients who have funny stories to share.

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

Andrews: Know when to listen and know how to answer your customer questions.

NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?

Andrews: Masters alpine ski racing, powder skiing, mountain and road biking.

NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?

Andrews: Go back to school and get a degree in telecommunications.

NNBW: What has been your biggest professional accomplishment?

Andrews: I was awarded Volunteer of the Year by The Chamber in 2005.

NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

Andrews: The No. 1 in the world playing professional tennis.

NNBW: What can you do that someone else can't?

Andrews: Lots of people are not willing to work overtime to make a big difference in a customer's business. I will!

NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?

Andrews: Yes, I would ski race full time and travel all over the world.

NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?

Andrews: I went with my father to see the U.S. Tennis Open and the Reno Aces with friends.

NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?

Andrews: I love to mountain bike with friends in Moab, Utah.

NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?

Andrews: I have lived in Reno since 1987. I was born in Berkeley, Calif. and grew up in Danville. I love to ski and ride bikes in the Sierras. Northern Nevada is one of the best business climates you can find in the U.S.A. I like working in a growing economy and being so close to the mountains.

The basics:

Name: Emily Andrews, account executive for Utility Telephone

Number of years in this job? Over one year

Years in this profession? Over five years in the telecom business. Over 33 years in corporate sales and the safety industry

Education: Forestry sciences and park administration

Last book read? "Pressure Is A Privilege" by Billie Jean King is one of my favorite books

Favorite flick? "Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid." I had an opportunity to mountain bike near their hideouts in southern Utah.

What's on your iPod? I have a iPad not a iPod.

Spouse, kids or pets? One eight-month-old kitten who is named Mr. Pumpkin. I adopted him from the SPCA.

Know someone whose perspective you want to share with NNBW readers? Send contact information to: rsabo@nnbw.biz.