Each month, we sit down with a CallSource employee to get to know them and their role a bit more.
Name: Adam Kottler
Title: Strategic Partner Manager
When did you start working for CS?
I started working for CallSource in January of 2009. I’m coming up on a decade with the company, and I’ve enjoyed watching us grow and evolve over the years.
What position did you start in?
I started in client support. Working on the front lines with our clients really helped me understand how our solutions are integrated into the daily operations of our clients’ businesses.
What is your current position?
I am currently a Strategic Partner Manager specializing in the dental industry. My grandfather and uncle were dentists, so I’ve always been inspired by how much they change the lives of their patients. In fact, I’m so committed to the dental industry that I recently married the daughter of a dentist!
Hah! I didn’t know your wife was the daughter of a dentist. We’ll learn more about her in a bit. You’ve held quite a few positions in CallSource. Care to walk us through those?
After working in client support, I transitioned into an account management role and became one of the first account managers in our then-emerging healthcare vertical. I had the opportunity to actually help create a new role, Business Advisor, which allowed for even more engagement with our clients in helping them understand how to leverage our data to drive improvement in their business.
As our healthcare client portfolio grew, I had the opportunity to build out a team of advisors and serve as the Director of Advisory Services. After spending several years on the operations side and seeing the impact CallSource has on our clients’ businesses, I decided to transition to a client acquisition role to help bring these benefits to as many clients as possible.
In my current role as Strategic Partner Manager, I focus on establishing partnerships and developing new relationships in the dental industry, one of CallSource’s newest markets.
How have your priorities and responsibilities changed and shifted with each different position you’ve held with CS?
While my responsibilities have shifted as my role has evolved my top priority, and really CallSource’s top priority has always remained our clients. Hearing about the successes our clients have been able to achieve by partnering with us has always motivated me to seek out ways to better serve them, and that in turn has led to my career growth here at CallSource.
What is your favorite part of your workday?
I love the ability to connect with so many people on a daily basis, both internally and externally. CallSource has always fostered a collaborative and innovative environment, and I really enjoy the energy in the office. That energy is contagious, and I like being able to spread that energy to our potential clients and partners.
What would you say is your greatest accomplishment so far with your career at CallSource?
My greatest accomplishment has been my ability to fully embrace the spirit of innovation that CallSource embodies. Throughout my career here I’ve had the opportunity to create new solutions for our clients, new roles for my peers, and tackle new challenges as we adapt to changing technology and market trends. Although I’ve been with the company for almost a decade, every day still feels fresh and exciting.
You most recently debuted yourself as “Left Shark” at the Dentsply Sirona World show during the Katy Perry concert, and got invited to dance on stage with Katy. What was that like?
Far less humiliating than I expected it to be! I don’t have any formal dance training or really any experience dancing. I was thrilled to be able to represent our company up on stage, but I was even more thrilled that I didn’t fall off the stage!
No formal dance training?! You could’ve fooled me with that video 😉 And how did your wife feel about you dancing with Katy Perry?
Fortunately, my wife isn’t the jealous type. I think she also realized that between my “dance moves” and the general goofiness of my giant shark costume, the likelihood of a blossoming relationship between Katy and me was pretty slim.
You know what Adam, I’d have to agree. Now speaking of your wife, you got married and bought a house within the past few years. Congrats! What is home ownership in Southern California like?
Expensive! My wife and I were both born and raised here in Southern California. We’re both very close with our families and love having them close by. I don’t think either of us would ever consider living anywhere else…although we often look at listings in more affordable parts of the country as a form of pure masochism.
Although I’m not a homeowner, I like to do that as well. HGTV really helps me discover the cheapest places to live (Spoiler Alert: Anywhere other than California). Anyway, tell us about some of your favorite hobbies and things to do in your free time.
My wife and I love spending time with our doggies! We recently adopted a puppy, and I don’t think we were quite prepared for how much work it would be. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, but we’re hoping he’ll learn from his older brother and shape up soon. Until then, for the sake of our carpet and furniture, we spend most of our time at home which means a lot of TV, including a lot of guilty pleasure reality TV!
Well now I have two questions: What kind of puppy, and what kind of guilty pleasure reality TV?
We have 2 Chihuahua mixes. Our older dog is a 4 year old Chihuahua/terrier mix and the puppy is a Chihuahua/poodle mix. When it comes to guilty pleasure reality TV, we love 90 Day Fiancée on TLC and Real Housewives of Orange County along with a few other Bravo shows like Below Deck and Million Dollar Listing.
One thing I know you like doing is watching football – how is your fantasy team doing so far this year? Who are your favorite sports teams?
Of course, you had to ask about my fantasy team as I’m coming off a brutally close loss to one of my coworkers here at CallSource. It’s still early in the season, and I’m confident my team will rebound. I’m a big LA Kings hockey fan and I’ve also adopted the Cleveland Browns football team since my wife’s family is all originally from Cleveland. I’m confident that both the Browns and my fantasy team will buck the recent trend and put together a great season.
I would say I’m sorry to hear about the Browns fandom adaption, but after seeing what Baker Mayfield did in week 3, this may be good timing for you. On an ending note, what is your favorite part about working at CallSource?
Without question, my favorite part about working at CallSource is the people. While we’re not a small company, we have always felt like a family. I’ve gained so many amazing friendships over the years. In fact, I was introduced to my wife by a former CallSource employee! I really owe so much to this company both professionally and personally, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people over the years.
