Palm Desert Aquatic Center is my place of peace and serenity
I learned the importance of customer service at a young age. My family was in the men’s and women’s fine clothing business in Sacramento. I grew up on the sales floor beginning at the age of 14 and learned the importance of how to treat and befriend each client. I attended San Diego State and landed a job at Saks Fifth Avenue during my scholastic tenure. I quickly was promoted to sales manager of the men’s clothing department, but after five years, I was faced with a difficult decision: return home to run the family business or forgo it and stay in San Diego. My choice was to return home. Ultimately, it did not work out, which is a story for another time.
My parents had a home in Palm Desert and I would go there for weekends to escape. Meeting my wife, Elyssa, who had and still has a woman’s clothing store on El Paseo called BG’s El Paseo, changed my life, so, I left Sacramento not knowing what laid ahead professionally. My sales experience was how I ended up in the residential mortgage industry that I have occupied for the past 32 years. I so enjoy living in the desert and am so proud to be a full-time resident. This is a magical place and Elyssa and I have been married for 29 years. We both have been so fortunate to have been able to raise our boys here.
Customer service is of paramount importance in any endeavor. Upon entry to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, I am always greeted with a sincere smile and genuinely feel welcomed. Accolades to the City of Palm Desert, the YMCA and Paula Simonds, plus David Keyes, who manages the site. The pool is world-class and maintained to the highest standards. It is so refreshing to see a group of young women and men who take their job so passionately. From the greeters to the lifeguards and even the third-party swim instructors, everyone has the same goal – which is to make the guests’ experience rewarding, no matter what level of swimmer you are.
Taylor Pellum greets all who enter with a smile. As front office and concessions manager, she is wonderful and remembers everyone’s name. I appreciate all she does.
Time to honor a special person, lifeguard Ivan Esquibel: I am amazed that every day he carries himself with such a phenomenal attitude. He always – and I mean always, adorns an upbeat demeanor and makes me feel special. It is hard to put into words, but he just has that inherent quality that cannot be taught. Ivan has always used the “Mr. Weintraub” moniker and I have never corrected him to call me Richard. There is a tone of respect in the ways he calls it out that I have not experienced and I am addicted to it! Thank you, Ivan, for all you do and I look forward to seeing you every time I swim.
PDAC is my place of peace and serenity and I know I share the same sentiment with all my fellow swimmers. I have met the most genuine people there whom I have meaningful conversations with and who are so willing to share technical swimming advice. I learn something new daily that makes me a better swimmer.
Richard Weintraub has been a Palm Desert resident for 32 years. Married to Elyssa for 29 years and has two boys: Eliot, 26, who resides in Seattle and Izak, 23, who lives in San Diego. Email Richard at rweintraub@dc.rr.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Desert Aquatic Center is my place of peace and serenity
