Chad Riddle has been with Lunarpages since the beginning.  He knows the company, our clients and the team that work with him intimately.  We sat down with Chad to learn more about him and how he came to work at Lunarpages.

What is your official job title here at LP?

Chad: Operations Manager

How long have you been the Operations Manager at Lunarpages Chad?

Chad: I’ve been with Lunarpages since the year 2000. I spent the first half of my time here as the Customer Service Manager and since 2006 I have been focusing on operations throughout the organization.

I know you’re always incredibly busy, but fill us in on your day to day tasks.

Chad: My work days can vary greatly in terms of tasks. In general though I do like most anyone and start my morning on outlook to see what has come up throughout the night and early morning. I get updates from the various department managers and may end up spending some time on topics with them.

Since I deal with all interaction between LP and our legal team I end up spending a good amount of time working through legal topics (i.e. contract reviews, subpoenas, search warrants, TOS and AUP revisions etc). Also throughout the week I hold scheduled meetings with the department managers to ensure clear and concise communication is occurring within the LP team. As well as standard weekly meetings with various partners for things like merchant services, SEM and design services. Beyond this you will also find me visiting our data center locations and remote offices for general “checkups” on the organization.

Of course I can’t leave out the fun stuff like the workout in the on-site gym here in Anaheim. You’ll find me in there 3 days a week from 12:00-1:00

Have you worked in any other departments at Lunarpages?

Chad: I have only ever really had two official titles here; Customer Service Manager and Operations Manager. However I have been lucky enough to work in all departments over the years to help me gather a larger understanding of the organizations functionality. I spent time working out of our old L.A. office doing administration work from physical cabling and hardware changes in the cage to server monitoring for our shared server environment. I was able to focus on sales for a period of time while we built out the sales team and their procedures as well.

What did you do before Lunarpages? What made you decide to join our Family?

Chad: Before coming to LP I was working as the warehouse manager (shipping and receiving) for a local drug store. I was fresh out of high school and attending a private course to obtain my A+ and MCSE certifications looking forward to a career in technology. As I was nearing the end of my courses I was approached by Ron Riddle (my father) to help him and his business partner at the time to simply answer some phones for them. It didn’t take long for me to make a decision and start working for Lunarpages. The company had only just been created and already it was growing at astonishing rates. It was great being able to learn and grow with the company and I wouldn’t have considered passing up the opportunity to contribute to its success.

Who do you consider to be your right hand and why?

Chad: Greg Keil would have to be my choice of “right hand man”. I always rely on him to keep the office on track when I am out. I never have to ask for things twice and we generally share the same point of view on the various issues that can arise in an office environment. This helps me feel comfortable in trusting his judgment.

What makes Lunarpages special?

Chad: Lunarpages is very special to me because it brings my entire family together on a daily basis. I get to work with people I care about and together we provide security for ours and our customer’s futures. I have yet to meet with any other company over the years that have such strong values and that stands out for me.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Chad: People – Dealing with people is always challenging in both employees and customers. The fact is everyone has their own personalities and they need to be addressed uniquely. Trying to keep everyone happy at the same time can be quite the juggling act at times.

If you weren’t working here, where do you think you’d be?

Chad: Hrm good question. Maybe I would have started Facebook? Haha

It’s really hard for me to picture life without LP since I have been here so long. I assume it would be some type of management in the IT industry. Exactly what I wouldn’t know and hope never to have to find out J

What do you like to do in any other spare time you find?

Chad: I really enjoy golfing on the weekends with my brothers and friends. I’m also a big movie guy. So my fiancé and I go to the theater a lot and pick out favorites out of our moderate home collection of DVDs.

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Chad: I’ve made promises that I will have a 6 pack for my wedding in May. So yeah, a bit cliché but….HIT THE GYM!

What is the best work related event you have attended and why?

Chad: The Christmas parties. They are always so much fun. It’s a good time to relax with all the other employees and just hang out. In 2010 we went to one of those ultra modern bowling alleys. We had a private room with its own lanes, bar and appetizers galore. Nothing but good times.

And now for some usual LP Fun, what (or who) is your favorite and why…

American or Australian Beer?

Chad: I know this is a trick question since I always rave so much about Carlton beer in oz. Sneaky Amy. If it came down to only having one for the rest of my life it would have to be American. (Sorry Jay and Amy)

Place to live?

Chad: I’ve only ever lived in Southern California. Isn’t this where everyone always wants to live? I didn’t realize there were other options haha.

Place to vacation?

Chad: For a quick weekend away it would be Lake Havasu. Only a few hours’ drive for some fun on the boat.

For a proper vacation my favorite spot so far has been Australia. I’ve been there twice and it’s still not marked off of my to-do-list. So I’ll be back.

Phone App?

Chad: Well by App I’m assuming you mean game lol. It was Angry birds until I beat them all and they haven’t come out with new ones *still waiting*. Now it’s a simple version of Texas Hold’em to keep me busy when I’m indisposed.

Song?

Chad: I’m not going to lie, music isn’t a huge part of my life but I’ve been on a “Bargain Music” kick lately when I actually have any music on. Particularly a song called “Black Eye”. No particular reason with lyrics I just like the way it sounds I guess.

Cartoon character?

Chad: Peter Griffin with Stewie coming in a close 2^nd.

Movie?

Chad: Conan the Barbarian – anyone who just had the theme music pop in their head knows what I’m talking about. I grew up with Conan and still watch both of them at least once a year. I know I know, cheesy.

Thanks Chad!

Is there a member of the Lunarpages Team that you would like to know more about?  Comment below if there is and we will do our best to interview them in an upcoming issue of Lunarpages News!