Meridian's Trillhasse Prints a New Career Path

After a quarter of a century in the technology arena, Angela Trillhaase is leaving her position as executive vice president and venturing at Meridian Group (VARBusiness rank 198) into the world of publishing. Trillhaase was recently honored as one of ChannelWeb's Women In the Channel. As of March 3, Trillhaase will be the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Production Services Associates (PSA) of Lincolnshire, Ill. PSA is a $100 million, high-end print outsourcing company that specializes in direct-mail, card production and personalization. Trillhaase talked to ChannelWeb about her career move and her professional plans.

What appealed to you about the job at PSA?

At this point in my life I had, as I said in an email I sent out to my friends and colleagues, determined that I am at that point in my career where making a change would have to meet some pretty demanding criteria: It would have to be an equity position, as in a vice president of sales and marketing at a midsize business or a president position at a small company; more money -- who we kidding?! I wouldn't relocate; I'd have to "click" with the executive team and, finally, the firm must be growing.

I've been in technology for 25 years -- at IBM, Real, Comtech, ABS and Meridian. The best part was that it was constantly changing, you're constantly applying IT. It's a lot to stay on top of. For example, a week ago, I passed my HP Procurve certification test. You have to stay on top of your game when you are selling someone else's product.

Won't going into printing mean learning a lot of new things?

Yes. There are actually a lot of parallels. For example, there is a lot of partnering in printing like in technology. But the industry seems further behind in its infrastructure than IT. For instance, there are no CRM systems. So the first thing is to put in CRM systems. It's ironic because this company, in direct marketing does great for clients but not always for themselves. So I'll be taking care of marketing, and the Website is in need of updating.

As one of ChannelWeb's Women in the Channel, you were recognized for the impact you've had on the technology industry. And you're a cofounder in the Women In Channels group. Now that you're switching gears, what are your plans in terms of involvement in that network?

Of course, I still want to be connected. Why would I divorce myself from them? I still have a lot of experience to offer others, that won't ever go away.

It must be tough to leave something you know so well and for so long.

Again, like I said in my note, as clich as it sounds, leaving the job is easy, leaving the people is hard. The best part of my job is the people; you meet the most caring, smartest people. It's just been the highlight of my career, the people I've met. I was surprised by the number of people who told me they were applauding my career move, that they wanted to make a change themselves. I figure that you work more than you do anything else, and, if you don't like that, you've got to make change. I am passionate about solving problems. You have to do what you are passionate about. My advice is: Figure out what your passion is and do that.