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| Linda Reyes Stone, Founder and CEO of APR Consulting |
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Sky's Her Limit.
A few weeks ago, Linda Stone went up the stage to receive the Diversity Supplier Award from Southern California Edison.
The successful and charming Filipina was so full of confidence as she received her award before 500 people. You would find it hard to believe that many years ago, Linda was petrified to stand and speak before people. But then, practice makes perfect. You see, Linda’s company, APR Consulting, has been receiving awards from various companies and organizations yearly for over a decade. As founder, president and CEO of APR Consulting, Linda has single-handedly established her company to become an outstanding service provider to large aerospace and utility companies nationwide. The once shy and unassuming former grade school teacher from Pampanga has come a long way indeed!In an exclusive interview with Asian Journal, Linda was asked how she managed to break the proverbial glass ceiling, as an Asian woman and an doing business in mainstream America. " I do not know of a ‘proverbial glass ceiling,’ [but] I believe [that] the sky is the limit. I really believe anyone can be successful and can attain whatever they set their hearts to do," Linda said.
Born Erlinda Yambao Reyes, Linda was born and raised in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Philippine Normal College in 1966. After college, Linda taught grade school students from July 1966 to August 1968.
In September 1968, Linda came to the United States with a plan to teach in Cleveland, Ohio and to finish her Masters Degree in Education. However, her planned trip to Cleveland didn’t push through. Instead, she decided to stay in California to work for a company in downtown Los Angeles as an accounts receivable clerk.After six months, she looked for a more challenging job and was hired as a computer operator trainee by a large phone company. This job opened the door for her to redirect her career from teaching to information technology.
"Instead of pursuing my Masters Degree in Education, I went to school to take courses and certification in computer programming and systems analysis. I also attended various computer classes from IBM Corporation. This started my career in information technology and I worked my way up from a computer operator to an information technology manager working for corporate America. I also continued my education and took courses towards a Masters Degree in MIS at Claremont Graduate School, various management courses, workshops and seminars at UCLA and Tuck School of Business," shared Linda.
In 1976, Linda decided to become an independent contractor providing IT consulting services. "I realized I can make more money as an independent contractor and did not have to work 12 months in a year. Each time my contract ended, I took [time] off for 2 - 4 months. This worked well for me because I was busy raising a family and going to school," Linda recalled. In 1980, the consulting company was renamed APR Consulting, Inc. APR stands for A- Accuracy; P- Performance; R- Reliability . Seven years later, in 1987, APR decided to expand and opened an office in Tustin.
Linda hired a director of marketing, and launched an aggressive marketing campaign to promote APR to large clients in Southern California. APR also responded to requests for proposals and solicitations from large companies. Its management team attended networking events to introduce APR to various business organizations’ general and corporate members in Los Angeles and Orange County. The effort became successful.
IBM Corporation, Internal Revenue Services, Jaycor Engineering, American Honda, Hughes Aircraft and Northrop Grumman were among the first of many large clients APR was able to sign contracts with. Using APR’s excellent track record in delivering what they promised to deliver on time and within budget, they were able to expand service offerings to their clients, and competed for supplemental staffing service contracts.| < Prev | Next > |
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