ERNST & YOUNG LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 1998
Gerald W. Chamales
What is the likelihood of someone who is homeless and a
substance and alcohol abuser turning his life around and creating a dynamic
company that employs more than 250? Not likely unless you’re Jerry Chamales.
From a childhood bouncing from one foster home to another, minor brushes
with the law and a tailspin of substance abuse, Chamales pulled himself
together in his twenties and rebuilt his life.
In the early 1980s, he became a top salesman of
computer products and recognized several industry trends: the widespread
adoption of computer technology, the heightened awareness of recycling, and
the increasing demand for remanufactured computer consumables. In 1982, he
launched Omni Computer Products from his apartment and developed it into the
$28 million company it is today.
Omni Computer Products is a leading manufacturer and
supplier of recycled computer imaging supplies. They are sold nationwide to
a diverse client base, ranging from small retail end-users to Fortune 500
companies. As a pioneer of telemarketing, the company has built one of the
most successful direct marketing organizations in the industry through a
well-trained 120-person telemarketing staff.
One of the keys to the success of the operation has
been Chamales’ ability to create a responsive organization that could
quickly anticipate and meet the market’s needs. By 1986, Omni started its
own manufacturing capability and recently launched its first national
branded product, Rhinotek. A percentage of the proceeds is donated by the
company to the Save the Rhino Foundation and the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya.
In the works are plans to build a new call center with
up to 300 additional telemarketers. Chamales has set goals to recruit a
seasoned management team to transition Omni from a start-up mode to a
professionally managed company, acquire state-of- the-art information
systems to streamline operations and double the manufacturing capacity.
The foundation of the business, however, is to continue
providing opportunities for employees. Omni has a history of hiring
individuals who are down on their luck or are recovering from substance
abuse. These recruits are professionally trained and provided with the
opportunity to succeed - many members of the management team started at
entry-level positions. To retain employees and keep them motivated, Chamales
imbues his staff with a can-do attitude, the same attitude that turned an
idea into a thriving business and encourages people to become all they can
be.
Omni Computer Products
Role
President and Chief Executive Officer
Founded company in 1982
Company Description
Manufacturer and supplier of recycled computer imaging supplies
Location
Carson
Major Innovation
Telemarketing to the niche market of recycled computer consumables
Future Plans
Significantly increase revenue through internal and external growth,
streamline operations and redesign the manufacturing facility