Visionary leadership is the cornerstone of success, and Alexander Melgar and Carlos Telles exemplify this quality at Ambassador Services. Alexander, the CEO, is an accomplished executive with a remarkable history of leading high-performing organizations to unprecedented growth. With his extensive experience in the maintenance services industry, he joined Ambassador Services in 2012 as the Chief Operating Officer, swiftly ascending the ranks. Alexander’s strategic prowess enabled him to merge three companies, streamlining operations and reducing costs while enhancing customer satisfaction. Under his guidance, the organization achieved an impressive revenue growth of 157% over the past five years, all while maintaining an exceptional 92% customer retention rate.
Carlos Telles, the Managing Director, brings his operational expertise to the forefront. With 20 years of industry experience, Carlos leads the overall operations at Ambassador Services with an unwavering focus on fostering innovation. He is renowned for his dedication to the training and development of service personnel, readily immersing himself in the trenches to guide the team. Carlos’s consistent track record of delivering exponential business growth has earned him widespread respect and admiration within the organization. He is passionate and decisive, prioritizing customer needs while steadfastly supporting the associates day in and day out. Together, Alexander and Carlos embody visionary leadership, propelling Ambassador Services to new heights of success.
Ambassador Services
Ambassador Services, established in 2007, is a renowned company specializing in commercial maintenance services. With a successful track record of 16 years in the industry, it has firmly established itself as a reliable and experienced provider. Its headquarters are located in Houston, TX, strategically positioning them to serve a wide range of clients.
At Ambassador Services, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including janitorial services, grounds maintenance, HVAC services, and general labor solutions. Its dedicated team is equipped to handle diverse maintenance needs, ensuring that its commercial spaces are clean, well-maintained, and conducive to productivity.
While Ambassador Services’ primary operations are focused within the state of Texas, it extends its services beyond its borders. The company has expanded its reach and now cater to clients across the nation, enabling it to proudly claim a national footprint.
From Entrepreneurial Upbringing to Building a Legacy
Alex’s and Carlos’s journey in the business world began at a very young age when they were still children. Their father owned small businesses in the service and distribution industry, specifically in restaurants. Growing up in an entrepreneurial household, Alex and Carlos had the opportunity to assist their father from an early age. Their responsibilities included tasks like moving boxes around, which may have seemed simple at the time but provided valuable lessons and experiences that would shape their future.
As Alex and Carlos entered their teenage years, their father encouraged them to contribute to the family business by making decisions and sharing their opinions. This level of involvement allowed them to gain firsthand experience and develop their entrepreneurial skills. As teenagers, Alex and Carlos ventured into the business of clubs and dance floors, starting their own small venture. Alex was around 16 years old at the time, while Carlos was even younger. These early ventures laid the foundation for their entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
In 2002, Alex and Carlos made the decision to migrate to the United States, seeking new opportunities. They joined a national company in the maintenance industry, working with them and gaining valuable knowledge. Their work required them to travel across multiple states, further expanding their experience and expertise. Continuing to develop their careers, they later transitioned to another national maintenance company.
In 2005, with a growing desire for independence, Alex and Carlos made the bold choice to start their own business. They named it after themselves but initially lacked knowledge on how to market it or fully comprehend the responsibilities of being business owners in the United States. Language became a significant hurdle for them, as their native language wasn’t commonly spoken. They tackled this challenge by using dictionaries, videos, and pocket-sized language learning tools to teach themselves English.
Despite the obstacles they faced, Alex and Carlos persevered and dedicated themselves to learning and adapting to their new environment. Their journey from their early involvement in their father’s businesses to their experiences in El Salvador and the United States equipped them with a diverse skill set and a tenacious spirit that would prove essential in their future endeavors.
A Journey of Excellence in the Maintenance Industry
Alex and Carlos embarked on their journey in the United States, with their story commencing in Tennessee. It was there that they began their exploration of the American job market, working for a company. However, it is important to note that their work experiences trace back to their time in El Salvador, where they actively engaged in various pursuits from a young age.
Following their time in Tennessee, Alex and Carlos decided to relocate to Houston, TX, where they continued their careers in the maintenance industry by joining another company. In this new environment, they sharpened their skills and acquired valuable expertise in providing top-notch maintenance services. It was during this period that Alex took a leap of faith and established Cleaning Services of America as his own venture. Within a year, the business thrived, successfully catering to the needs of their clients.
As fate would have it, their paths eventually converged, leading them to join forces at Ambassador Services. For the past sixteen years, they have been devoted team members of this esteemed organization. Their diverse experiences culminated in a strong background in the maintenance sector, enabling them to deliver exceptional services to their valued clients.
Fostering Growth and Overcoming Leadership Challenges
Alex believes that there are certain qualities lacking among today’s emerging leaders. He emphasize the importance of personal growth as a leader and also share your opinion on what other leaders commonly lack as a result of their leadership styles.
Carlos adds that one of the significant shortcomings of many leaders is their lack of attention to their team and people. A leader can only be effective if they have good followers who support the team and its ideas. It’s essential for leaders to listen to their team members and consider their thoughts and opinions. Carlos highlights that sometimes the best ideas come from those who are directly involved in the work.
According to Alex, continuous education and a commitment to learning are essential for growing as leaders. He emphasize the importance of self-evolution and personal development in order to effectively lead others. Alex refers to the concept of “ROSE,” which stands for the rate of self-evolution. This concept suggests that the growth of an organization depends on the leader’s ability to evolve and prepare themselves for leadership.
Alex describes three stages in the life of an entrepreneur or business owner: the “I,” the “we,” and the “they.” The “I” stage represents a time when the leader operates independently, making decisions and directing the business on their own. This stage reflects the highest level of responsibility and control for the leader. The “we” stage, on the other hand, signifies a transition towards working with a team of individuals. It acknowledges the importance of collaboration and delegating responsibilities to others. The “they” stage is for the ability to become a push-up Organization, delegate responsibilities to each department and then monitor results at a higher level.
Carlos emphasizes the importance of being a good listener as a leader. Actively listening to the team members and creating an open and supportive atmosphere encourages effective communication and collaboration. Additionally, he highlights the need for flexibility in leadership. Being adaptable and open to different perspectives and ideas allows for innovation and growth within the team.
Carlos believes in providing constructive feedback to the team, even in situations where they may have failed. Learning from failures is a crucial aspect of leadership and personal development. Leaders should encourage their team members to embrace failures as learning opportunities and to constantly seek improvement.
Driving Positive Change
To drive improvement in society, organizations, and people’s lives, Alex believes that providing accurate and truthful information is crucial, especially in the realm of education. He emphasizes the need to counteract misleading information by offering genuine and reliable knowledge to society. This improvement in social information can contribute to better decision-making and progress.
Within their own organization, Alex sees room for continuous improvement. One aspect he aims to enhance is work-life balance. In today’s fast-paced world, where professional demands often take precedence, he recognizes the importance of creating a culture that promotes a healthy balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing this balance, he envisions positively impacting the lives of the people within the organization.
Regarding opportunities, Alex identifies equality as an important focus area. Promoting equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their background or circumstances is vital to foster a fair and inclusive environment. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of continued education, highlighting the value of ongoing learning and development for personal and professional growth.
