TIME DIGITAL - September 7, 1998
EMPOWERING HIS PEOPLE
Twenty years ago, all Jerry Chamales needed to feel good was a bottle of Scotch and a
thin line of cocaine. When he finally got clean, his friends were there
to help. Now that he's president of the $30 million Omni Computer
Products in Carson, Calif., which sells computer supplies and recycled
printer cartridges, the 46-year-old CEO is a friend to the one-third of
his workers who, like him, were formerly homeless, drug addicted or
alcoholic. "I believe that work is the best therapy," says Chamales, who
has placed many of these people in his telemarketing center. "If you can
focus their energy, they're persistent people." With such an inspiring
leader, it's no surprise that Chamales' staff is so motivated.