For half a century, Optelec has been at the forefront of innovation in assistive technology, empowering individuals with visual impairments and transforming lives around the world. This month in our employee spotlight takes us to the Netherlands as we get to know Jim Pors, International Sales Manager.
For more than forty years, Jim Pors has been dedicated to making a difference and bringing attention to the need for accessibility. This dedication brought him to Tieman, now known as Optelec, in January 1989.
We chatted with Jim to learn how he got started, what work accomplishment he is most proud of, and how he spends his time away from the office.
Q&A with Jim
How long have you been with Vispero (Optelec/Tieman)?
Jim: I started in January 1989, after 3 years in a Braille printer company (RESUS). From 2000 until October 2004, I worked for Dolphin and ALVA (both 2.4 years). So, in total 32 years.
What was your title/role when you started and what is it now?
J: I started as a Technical Commercial Engineer. Now I am an International Sales Manager.
What initially drew you to your field, and how has that passion evolved over time?
J: I have always been intrigued by Braille. I applied for an internship at a bank, back in 1984, to start the automation of Braille bank statements. Unfortunately, the bank was not ready at that time. Then for the final project of my studies I ended up in a Braille printer company rewriting the firmware of their small Braille printer and I never left the industry.
Looking back at your career so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
J: When I started at Tieman, we only had distributors in Belgium and Germany. Together with Ronald Roeten we increased the distributor network to what it is now. Most of the distributors I have worked with now for over 30 years.
What’s your strategy for staying motivated during challenging times?
J: Connecting with people in all these countries, understanding their cultures, and knowing that we make a difference for Blind and vision impaired people. Knowing that there are still many Blind and VI people that have no access to our products keeps me motivated to open ways for them to get our products.
What are you most passionate about outside of work?
J: My wife, our dogs, music, football (what you call Soccer) and Egyptian history. Unfortunately, our last dog passed away last December. He was our last dog after 27 years with dogs (Bernese and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs). As for Music progressive rock is my favorite genre and besides that my favorite band is the Rolling Stones. Regarding football, Feyenoord and the Dutch national teams are my teams. As for Egypt, our honeymoon was there in 1988, and I have been back in 1992 and this year.
Do you have any hidden talents or unique hobbies? Share them with us!
J: People often tell me that I have a very good memory, but when you age this is getting less good.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
J: As international sales manager I have been in so many countries and fell in love with many of them. Hard to choose. I guess it would be Australia as I have many relatives living there that I want to spend more time with.
What’s your favorite aspect of our company culture?
J: The fact that we are a company helping people all over the world.
What advice would you give to someone new starting at our company?
J: Be human! Respect people, their cultures and the fact that each country has different ways of living and working.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
J: Listen to what people have to say.
What historical event or invention fascinates you the most?
J: There are so many inventions that have brought us where we are now. Current events in the world fascinate me and make me worry.
You have a time machine! Would you travel to the past or the future, and why?
J: To the past, 2000 BC in Egypt. That culture was so advanced compared to many nowadays.