For Laura Kujubu, working at Avantpage has been rewarding, challenging and exciting in more ways than she can count. "There's always something new to work on, discover or learn about in this business." A born "people person," Laura's friendly, outgoing personality quickly puts clients and co-workers alike at ease. When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Laura says that "getting to know the customers, building long-term relationships with them, and solving their problems has been most rewarding for me."

A graduate of UC Berkley with a degree in Mass Communications, Laura spent time as an editor and writer before joining the Avantpage team. From project management to customer relations to sales and marketing, Laura has worn quite a few "hats" at Avantpage. Her current position as VP of Operations and Customer Relations has her working closely with Avantpage's various departments as a liaison, trouble-shooter, and all-around go-to person known for figuring out solutions to critical issues in a flash. Laura ensures that processes and procedures run smoothly and efficiently, and that all projects meet or exceed the company's high-quality service standards.

When asked where she feels the translation industry is headed in the future, Laura said, "What first started as a luxury for some organizations has now become a business necessity. Regulatory compliance in the health care and education industries is only one aspect of translation. As more and more non-English speakers become a part of the fabric of this country, shrewd businesses are realizing that if they aren't communicating in other languages, they are going to lose out on market share."

A Sacramento native, Laura is third-generation Japanese, and a trip to Japan two years ago was an exciting, eye-opening experience for the whole family. Immersed in Japanese culture, language and art, Laura discovered "parts of me that are really Japanese" and also realized that every generation of Japanese Americans sadly gets further and further from their Japanese roots.

Laura's two elementary school-age daughters keep her on the go - from soccer games to play dates to school events. Hiking, running ("not nearly as much as I would like to") and just hanging out with her family and friends are what keeps Laura grounded and happy.

To reach Laura with questions or to ask how Avantpage's translation services can help your business, contact her by email or at 530-750-2040, x3.