In our November Women In PHCP spotlight, we invite you to meet Magda Elizondo, Hero Helps Coordinator for Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air! 

PHCPPros: What is your role in the PHCP industry? 

Elizondo: I started at Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air as a customer service representative and quickly moved up to CSR lead. I now coordinate our corporate social responsibility program, Hero Helps, to identify where we can give back to the community. Rooter Hero is a plumbing and HVAC company serving residential and commercial locations in California and Arizona.

PHCPPros: How and why did you decide to enter a career in the PHCP industry? 

Elizondo: I had worked as a customer service representative before coming to Rooter Hero. I had not thought about a career in the industry until a friend introduced me to Rooter Hero when a customer service position became available about four years ago. That is how I began working in the industry.

PHCPPros: What have been some of your career highlights?

Elizondo: After working as a customer service rep for some time, I was promoted to CSR lead. While doing that position, I began thinking about Rooter Hero’s role in the community. We are such a large organization with locations in so many various cities, and I felt it was time to give back to those communities. I mentioned this idea to co-founder and CEO John Akhoian and to our contact center manager, David Powers, and they were very enthusiastic. That’s how Hero Helps was born. 

Since its inception, Hero Helps has now become its own division of Rooter Hero. I reach out to charities to make the initial introduction and then our team works to provide meals to Ronald McDonald House or install home service equipment to the Good Shepherd Center for Women and Children. We have also volunteered at the Santa Monica Mountain Funds’ California Native Plant Nursery to help support plant conservation and cleaned beaches to honor Earth Day.

PHCPPros: What are your thoughts on mentorship for women? 

Elizondo: My sister, Lucy Martinez, has always been my biggest cheerleader. When I started at Rooter Hero, she would always encourage me to do better. Then, when I was managing seven CSRs as the lead and also working on Hero Helps, she taught me to multi-task and told me never to hesitate — to go out and get what I wanted. I took her advice and have grown my role in Hero Helps into a full-time position.

When I was the CSR lead, I managed a young woman in my department. I trained and encouraged her to push herself. Now that I have moved to Hero Helps coordinator, she has replaced me as the CSR lead. 

PHCPPros: What do you think the PHCP industry can do to better recruit and retain women?

Elizondo: I think industry advertisements geared toward recruiting new people should target women better. They always show a male in the role of plumber or HVAC technician. They should use more women’s faces when producing recruiting material. This would show that women are welcome in the industry and can make successful careers in the PHCP world.

Another avenue the industry should consider is focusing on benefits. Things like health insurance and training are presented — but not in a way that better targets women. Women are more likely to consider insurance and education when selecting a career.

PHCPPros: Is there anything from your personal life you would like to highlight?

Elizondo: My 8-year-old son, Alejandro, is extremely proud of my work. Whenever he sees a Rooter Hero truck, he always remarks that it’s Mom’s company. He is also proud of the work we do at Hero Helps. He enjoys seeing my progress and touts my role as Hero Helps coordinator.

Do you know someone you would like to nominate for our Women In PHCP newsletter series? Email PHCPPros Digital Strategy Manager Nicole Meyer at [email protected]!