MBN USA

March 29, 2023

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Telecom’s culture of service key to success

Telecom Electric Supply Co. is a leading trusted service provider with more than 30 years of proven experience in delivering supply-chain solutions that decrease downtime, create greater efficiencies, reduce risk and enhance business profitability. Fred B. Moses started working at Telecom at the age of 12. He is the son of Fred Moses, who is the founder, president and CEO of Telecom,

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background?

A: I was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, but raised in Plano, Texas. I attended Plano Senior High, where my favorite subject was music and was fortunate to serve as drum major for the marching band my senior year. After graduating, I received my bachelor’s in English with a writing emphasis from Sam Houston State University. Shortly after college, I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

My father [Fred Moses] started his business [Telecom Electric Supply Co. in 1985] when I was 10 years old. I started doing small tasks with TES when I was 12. He sat me down in front of the computer and let me type letters for him. I will always be grateful for being introduced to business technology at a young age. It helped build my appreciation for processes and efficiency.

Most of my career has been in service and nonprofit. I had the fortune of working for United Way of Central New Mexico. Being exposed to an environment that focused on the community and emphasized service has been key in my outlook on business.

Before returning to the Dallas area, I received my master’s in organizational leadership. After taking on the role of general manager with TES and being promoted to vice president of operations, I continued my education with the Advanced Management Education Program at the Kellogg School of Management, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and the Disney Institute.

Q: Is your father still involved in the company’s day-to-day operation?

A: My dad continues to be a valuable resource to me and the organization. His advice and guidance are always appreciated as we work to continue the legacy that he established.

Q:What year did you join the company and what were your early years like with the company? What was your first position with the company?

A: As previously mentioned, I first started working with the company when I was 12 years old, 1987. Honestly, I didn’t really understand the importance of what my dad was doing or my role in it at the time. As the company grew, my dad gave me the opportunity to see different aspects of the business; AR/AP [accounts receivables/accounts payables] inventory, order entry, etc. My summer breaks and some weekends involved learning some aspect of the business. I was introduced at a very early age to the importance of processes and the interdependence of different roles that played into the stability of an organization.

Q:How has your role with the company progressed over the years? what do you like most about your current position with the company?

A: The unique aspect of a family business is having the opportunity of being part of the organization from close to the beginning. I’ve been fortunate to have seen so many things and played a role in the company’s history. I can say that I started ‘hunt and pecking’ letters as a kid, and now am responsible for the daily operation of the organization.

What I like most about my current position is leading and working with good people to be a solution to those in need. The benefit of working in the charitable realm is knowing that someone or a group of someone’s depending on you for help in some aspect. What we do as a supply-chain/materials management organization isn’t much different. It’s rewarding to know that we are being entrusted to partner with organizations and support them as they push toward and achieve success. 

Q:Can you tell us a bit about the company and its core capabilities.

A: TES is a supply-chain service organization that is known for taking the hassle out of materials management. Specializing in maintenance, repair and operations supplies and vendor-managed inventory, TES provides solutions that are based on client needs. We stock material in our warehouse that allows us to provide services such as staging material for projects and just-in-time deliveries.

Through proven sourcing, procurement and inventory processes, TES acts and advocates on behalf of clients to meet or exceed their requirements. With almost 40 years in business and the relationships we’ve been blessed with, we’re known to some of our clients as ‘The Everything Supplier.’

Telecom Electric is a very successful business. What would you say are the key attributes for the company’s success?

One of the key attributes for TES’ success and longevity is having a culture of service. Our organization has a great appreciation for earning the opportunity to be trusted to do something for someone else; to have the capacity to be selfless.

The other key attribute is having the right people. There can’t be a culture of any kind without people to perpetuate it. There is no substitute for people that are eager to be ambassadors for the ideals and values of your organization. We’ve been blessed with good people who are more than willing to go to bat for our organization, clients and each other.

Q:What advice would you give to an up-and-coming business that would like to emulate Telecom Electric’s success?

A: There is a Greek proverb that says, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” The same can be said of starting a business. Generally, a business is started because a need is recognized, and there is a belief that this business can address that need.

Starting a business can be hard. It takes special people willing to take that risk. The hope is to put something in motion that will surpass an individual and become something more, but there are so many things that have to happen for that to take place. No road is the same, though some may be similar. The advice is to have faith, be persistent and know that anything worthwhile takes time and sacrifice. Stay steadfast and be open to different approaches and perspectives that enable you and your organization to serve. It’s not about being everything to everyone, but more finding the best capacity in which your organization can be of benefit. 

Q:Telecom Electric has been the recipient of many awards in the business and civic community. How important is that recognition to a growing minority-owned business?

A: It’s not really the awards themselves. The awards and recognitions represent beacons that can mean so many different things. They can serve as a signal that we, as a minority-owned business, are doing something that someone believes is worthy of attention; a thank you for well-placed faith. It lets the recognized organization know that they are on the right track; a benchmark of achievement to inspire continued efforts to serve and be of use.  It also lets other organizations that don’t have much minority-business involvement know that we have something to bring to the table and can be a partner with them for achieving their targets and future goals.

Last, but not least, this beacon can also serve as a light to other minority businesses and potential entrepreneurs that all the hard work and effort can pay off. An obligation that comes with the beacon is a willingness to share and provide guidance to those that are interested. Just like the DFW MSDC helps support minority businesses, successful minority businesses need to be willing to help and support other minority businesses as well.

To learn more about Telecom Electric Supply Co., visit tes85.com.