Business

Getting to Know: Jerome Erickson, Orbitel Communications

Aug 2, 2007

342

inmaricopa.com continues a new feature with interviewing people around town who have an impact on the daily lives of Maricopa residents. Today we catch up with Jerome Erickson, the new Vice President, Engineering & Technical Services, for Orbitel Communications. If you have a person in town you would like to see interviewed, email us at [email protected].

inmaricopa.com: So what does the VP of Engineering and Technical Services do? What’s a typical day for you?

Jerome: I handle everything that’s technically related for Orbitel Communications. I’ll come in the morning and see if any issues came in over night to be addressed immediately – get our guys out to handle issues and installs. I’m meeting with city officials and developers so we can offer our service when new residents move in, so they don’t have to wait.

inmaricopa.com: Where are you from?

Jerome: I’m from Boston. I moved here from Casa Grande. Orbitel’s committed to having local assets; they wanted me to move to Maricopa. (He lives in Rancho El Dorado.)

inmaricopa.com: How do you find Maricopa?

Jerome: I love it. I’ll be happy when the Wal-Mart opens (laughs). Maricopa has more choices in eating establishments than Casa Grande. Everyone’s been really friendly and helpful. Being a new person in town, I have to ask, ‘Where can I find this or that?’ and people are very giving of their time.

inmaricopa.com: What have you been working on with Orbitel?

Jerome: Since I’ve been here, we’ve increased our internet backbone by 50 percent, and we’re working on another increase right now so we stay ahead of the needs. The company is a very progressive thinker in the industry.

inmaricopa.com: Backbone? Does that mean pipeline?

Jerome: Yes. When I got there, the pipeline was maxed. At certain times of the day, it was peaking out. Now we don’t max out at all. We have three circuits, and we balance the load over those three circuits. We’re not waiting to hit the ceiling; we’re watching usage, and when we start to utilize 80 percent or more, we look to increase.

inmaricopa.com: How long have you been in the industry and with Orbitel?

Jerome: This is my 22^nd year in the industry. I started in the cable industry very young. I’ve watched it from grow from a plain, analog, video-only service to a true two-way telecommunications system. I’m going on my sixth week (at Orbitel).

inmaricopa.com: What’s new coming up?

Jerome: I’ve been directed to add up to 10 additional HD channels.

inmaricopa.com: What else do you do besides work?

Jerome: I’m a lifelong student, so if I find a class that intrigues me — right now I’d like to take a photography class — I’ll continue to take classes. You’re never too old to learn. I also teach part time at South Mountain Community College, a broadband telecommunications course.