Employees

Regional Disposal Manager, Asset Investment Recovery

Employee Name:

Leslie Walden

Title:

Regional Disposal Manager, Asset Investment Recovery

Ministry:

Ministry of Citizens' Services

Background:

Education: Post-secondary classes in business management, technology applications, enhanced human relations in the workplace and leadership training
A member of the BC Public Service since: 1990

My Role: Our branch provides disposal services for assets no longer required by the provincial government, federal government and broader public agencies such as municipalities, school district and health authorities. Types of assets include vehicles, boats, industrial equipment and office furniture. I am responsible to oversee a number of staff and processes that ensure the highest financial return from sales with the least liability to government, and ensuring minimal impact on the environment from those assets not able to be sold or processes used to manage and prepare items for sales. I also represent the interests of the public and businesses whose tax dollars paid for the assets originally — they should be provided fair and open access for them. The fun responsibility is marketing our services and the ability to be creative in how I approach the daily job.

Career Path:

I started out as a receptionist at a car dealership and through that job, I was offered contract work doing business application and systems support work. When my contract ended, I was offered a job working for the government's Business Machine Help Desk (INFO Centre) supporting user needs throughout the province, and I also managed the facsimile lease program. I then applied took a position with Asset Investment Recovery (Crown Asset Disposal back then) as a sales associate, which eventually took me further into the surplus assets sales activity. I was successful at applying for and receiving two progressively more responsible positions in the branch, working with people and customers that are the very best.

What I Like Best:

I love my job — that's the bottom line. From management giving us the freedom to do our job and entrusting us to do it the best we can, to my peers who make a great team environment - it's like a big family. The diversity of surplus assets that come in make no day like another. It's like Christmas — you just don't know what's in the box. It may be a quarter horse (yes, it's true) or it may be a Lamborghini (that in fact, we sold twice). We may sell it in a cash-and-carry sale or we list it on our own Government of B.C. auction site.

Ideas At Work:

My team and I provide a sales environment of equal and equitable access to the sale of government surplus assets using various types of sales methods. We are committed to our principles of reuse (for a cost savings to all ministries and at a cost avoidance to the purchase of new assets), resell (using methods of sale that ensure maximum net return is received) and recycle (commitment to environmentally and socially responsible disposal practices).

Advice:

It helps to be creative with a flair for marketing and sales, be open minded to change and be customer service oriented with an understanding of legal obligations and common and contract law as it applies to sales activity. An outgoing personality and natural inquisitive attitude also helps a great deal. You need to be someone that works outside the box, is a team player, and is willing to ask "why" rather than look for a book answer.