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| photography by Elizabeth Lavin |
Based in Irving, EFJ, Inc. is a leader in secure digital wireless telecommunications. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill walkie-talkies. EFJ’s advanced wireless voice and data solutions are developed to support homeland security, defense, and public service industries to help prevent communications breakdowns similar to what first responders to the World Trade Center experienced on 9/11, and to protect the privacy of sensitive communications. This year, EJF was named the sixth-fastest-growing small public company by Fortune Small Business and ranked no. 22 on BusinessWeek’s Hot Growth Companies list. Despite a three-year increase in profits of 152 percent, the company Michael Jalbert has run since 1999 has even more room to grow as demand continues to climb.
Age: 61
Title/Company: Chairman, president & CEO/EFJ, Inc.
Tenure: 7 years
What was your first job?
Park monitor at 14 for the Parks and Playground program in my hometown.
What was your worst job?
I have never had a bad job.
If you couldn’t say “the people I work with,” what would you say is the best part of your job?
Helping to protect lives.
What’s the worst part?
Trying to outpace technology.
On weekends, where would people find you?
Playing golf, out to dinner, or with my grandchild.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
The Lexus and the Olive Tree, The World is Flat, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.
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| photography: cards and pizza by Istock; Godfather by Newscom |
What’s your favorite TV show?
Jeopardy.
What three Web sites do you visit most frequently?
www.jewelsintime.com, www.feelgoodwatches.com, www.edmunds.com.
What’s your most recent major purchase? BMW M5.
What’s your biggest regret?
Not spending more time with my children when they were growing up.
What do you consider to be your biggest weakness?
Never being satisfied.
What’s the best advice anyone ever told you?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
