For many, a job is simply a means to an end. For Glenn Sutton, an In-Home Services (IHS) Operations Manager and Army Reserves veteran at EchoStar, his 25-year career journey is a testament to the impact of aligning personal values with professional purpose. His story offers a compelling glimpse into our priorities of curiosity, pride, adventure and winning, offering a unique opportunity for individuals seeking a launchpad for their career.
Glenn served an eight-year stint in the Army Reserves from 2001 to 2009. He quickly climbed the ranks in consumer electronics following his military service, starting as a salesperson and eventually becoming a store director. He then broadened his experience as an operations manager, deepening his expertise in retail and customer service. What ultimately drew Glenn to EchoStar in 2017, after nearly two decades in retail, was a search for a workplace that genuinely shared his values. He recalls leaving a previous employer because the environment lacked the competitive drive and sense of pride he sought. Glenn, a self-described competitor, thrives in environments where goals are clear, hard work is recognized and there's a collective determination to achieve excellence.
Upon discovering EchoStar, he found a resonance with our core values: pride, winning, adventure and curiosity. He recounted an interview he had heard describing the opportunity as unpredictable and challenging, but ultimately rewarding through grit and determination. "That's the place I want to be," Glenn emphasized, recognizing a synergy with the teamwork and discipline he experienced in the military. In the Army Reserves, he learned the importance of working together for a common mission, a feeling he directly connects to the collaborative spirit at EchoStar. This alignment of values is what brought him to EchoStar and what continues to keep him here.
While our Veterans Resource Group provides a strong sense of camaraderie among military veterans, Glenn emphasizes that EchoStar's broader programs are also key to career growth. He himself serves as a LIFT mentor, a program designed to onboard and support new Operations Managers and Field Service Managers. LIFT involves a week of virtual training followed by a week of in-person shadowing with experienced OMs like Glenn, providing practical, on-the-job learning. This isn't a one-and-done training; it's an ongoing mentorship where trainers maintain relationships with their mentees to provide continuous support and guidance. Glenn, who didn't have such a program when he started seven years ago, is passionate about ensuring new leaders are "set up for success and feel engaged and supported throughout their careers.”
“Our LIFT program ensures new hires are set up for success and feel engaged and supported throughout their careers."
— Glenn Sutton, IHS Operations Manager
“The ongoing integration of Boost Mobile, EchoStar's cloud-native 5G network initiative, highlights our embrace of adventure and requires significant cross-functional collaboration,” Glenn explains. He acknowledges the newness of Boost Mobile operations for many IHS technicians, who are traditionally satellite installation experts. This has necessitated extensive partnerships with various teams, including training, Boost customer service and scheduling. "We get to work with a lot of different partners," Glenn added, emphasizing the need for humility and openness. The transition to phone activations, for instance, has required a shift in mindset and skills for many technicians. Glenn underlines that adapting to new challenges, asking for feedback and fostering a collaborative spirit are crucial for success in this evolving landscape.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Glenn's role as an Operations Manager is witnessing the transformative impact EchoStar has on its team members’ lives. He often encounters technicians for whom this is their "first career, seeking a stable development path and the ability to provide for their families.” He takes immense pride in seeing these individuals grow, acquire new skills, earn more and build their lives. Glenn shares his own story of utilizing our tuition reimbursement program to earn his master's degree, a testament to our investment in team member development. Seeing new hires progress from relying on public transportation to owning their own cars and investing in their families' futures, all while excelling in their roles, is "the most rewarding thing," according to Glenn.
For candidates and veterans considering EchoStar, Glenn offers direct and compelling advice: "You want to work somewhere where you're going to have a team around you that’s going to have your back and where you will be rewarded for performing well." He stresses the meritocracy of EchoStar, where hard work and talent are recognized and rewarded. He cites colleagues who started as technicians and are now in management, a trajectory he asserts is uncommon in other Fortune 200 companies he's experienced.
“In my experience as a veteran and a candidate, you want to work somewhere where you're going to be challenged and where every day is going to be a little different. You want to work somewhere where you're going to have a team around you that’s going to have your back and where you will be rewarded for performing well."
— Glenn Sutton, IHS Operations Manager
Glenn Sutton's journey is a powerful narrative of purpose-driven leadership and profound team member impact. It paints a picture of military values of teamwork and discipline seamlessly integrated with a culture of curiosity, pride, adventure and winning. EchoStar, is the place for those seeking a challenging, supportive and rewarding career where effort translates directly into opportunity and tangible life improvements.
