quality and commitment to the fencing business—no matter what the project entails. Once a customer explains his or her fencing needs, Viking Fence manufactures everything according to the customer’s exact specifications, then builds and installs the product. The company even has a machine equipped with CNC (computer numeric control) technology to help customize and complete iron projects in its Custom Iron and Gate Division, run by Tom Burns as Custom Iron Manager.
“The business that we are in is a referral business. You have to make sure you do a good job with every client so they will refer you to someone else. But above all, our focus is on quality,” says Chavarria. “Our estimators, installers, quality control division, counter personnel, service crews and staff are excellent at what they do.”
Throughout his life, this ambitious and forward-thinking man has found ways to improve not just himself, but also the lives of those around him.
A JOURNEY OF AMBITION
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Chavarria grew up always working toward a bigger goal. “I ran a paper route when I was 12. I used a bike to run my route at 5 a.m. every morning, and then I saved up enough money to buy a go-kart to run two routes,” says Chavarria. Years later, his hardworking nature led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in English literature from the University of Texas at Austin. After completing an internship with Dell Technologies Inc., he worked full-time in the computer company’s finance depart- ment for 16 years, and even did an 18-month stint overseas at one of Dell’s European divisions.
“Dell turned out to be one of the fastest-growing integrated IT businesses of all time, starting as a dorm-room start-up in 1984 to becoming the world’s largest PC maker by 2005,” says Chavarria. “I learned a tremendous amount about the financing structure of a business during my time there.”
Then, eager to step out of his comfort zone and try some- thing different, he made the jump into becoming a business owner with his purchase of Viking Fence in 2006. When he took over operations there were just 25 employees; now, Chavarria has around 100 employees.
“About 80 percent of those who worked with me 10 years
Roderick Craney (left), Senior Production Manager at Viking Fence Co., and Sal Chavarria inspect the two-by-four lumber and downfall line, which the company uses to produce various grades and products of Western Red Cedar.
ago are still here today because they did good work and took pride in doing the right thing for the company and our customers,” he says.
Chavarria likes to maintain a relaxed, but productive, at- mosphere at his company. He proudly states that his team takes quality workmanship to an elevated level, often going above-and-beyond to ensure that every customer is satis- fied with every job, from start to finish.
“Seeing all of the finished work around the city, and hearing that customers are satisfied with how we conduct our- selves, are two of the greatest rewards in this line of work,” says Chavarria.
But one thing the company owner values most isn’t noted on a customer’s testimonial or in the company’s ledger, and that’s helping others maximize their potential in life.
POWERED BY THE BLUE BOOK NETWORK - SAN ANTONIO - AUSTIN / FALL 2016
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