Tito Pabon: A High-Definition Career
By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter
PETALUMA — When asked what led to his career in the home theater and automation field, Eliseo “Tito” Pabon says it all stemmed from a childhood fascination with technology. “When I was a kid, I had a set of walkie-talkies, and I wanted to know what was in there and how it worked. In high school, I took up radio and TV repair, and after graduating, I joined the Coast Guard, where I continued working with electronics, telephony and computers. Twenty-five years later, I got out of the Coast Guard and wanted to continue in the electronics field. In 2006, I got connected with Jim Hage, then-owner of High Definition Designs, and went to work for him. Eight years later, my wife, Lauralee, and I assumed ownership of the company.”
Today, as owner of High Definition Designs, Tito says he enjoys both the technical and customer service aspects of his job. “I really enjoy setting up a new home theater or automation system and seeing it come to life. However, I think my favorite part is seeing the client’s reaction and getting that ‘wow’ factor.”
A resident of Petaluma, Tito expresses his appreciation for the North Bay climate and the active lifestyle it promotes. “I’m an avid cycler and I love the outdoors, so the weather is perfect for me,” he affirms. “I also enjoy playing tennis, going on walks with our dogs and doing landscaping projects around my house.” Besides enjoying the local lifestyle, Tito takes regular trips to the East Coast to visit his son, Joshua, who is a postal carrier in New York City, and his daughter, Jocelyn, who runs a small business in Baltimore.
In his life and career, Tito espouses the importance of integrity. “I strive to be a man of my word and always do what’s in the client’s best interest,” he affirms. “There have been times when I’ve had to tell a client, ‘I can’t help you,’ and referred them to someone else. In some cases, the client will call me later for a different job, simply because they appreciated my forthrightness, so it’s often a win-win.”
When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Tito says he’d see the world. “I would definitely travel more, especially overseas. I used to travel a lot when I was in the Coast Guard, but since becoming a business owner, I haven’t had the time. I’ve never been to Europe, so that’s probably the first place I’d go.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: The New York Yankees and the New York Giants.
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: It’s a toss-up between Sugo Trattoria and LUMA, both of which are in Petaluma.
Q: Would you rather live in the city or the country?
A: The country.
Q: Do you collect anything?
A: CDs, records and digital music.
Q: If you could immediately master any musical instrument, what would you choose?
A: Either the guitar or the saxophone.
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