employeespotlightalanarce

Employee Spotlight: Alan Arce

 

Have you ever wondered who takes all the photos of our furniture and creates those gorgeous images in our catalogs? Well, meet Alan Arce. He’s been with Weir’s Furniture for over a quarter of a century. After immigrating to the U.S. from the Philippines, he found a place in the Weir’s family. It’s safe to say, Weir’s wouldn’t be what it is today without him. 

 

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Name: Alan Arce

 

Title: Photographer/Graphic Designer

 

 

How long have you worked at Weir’s?

Since November 17, 1993. So it’s been 26 years. 

 

 

How did you end up working at Weir’s?

I needed to work on my resume after finishing college. I didn’t have a computer so my sister Cathi, who happened to be working at Weir’s back then, asked the advertising manager, Brad Weir, if I could use the Weir’s computer. The manager asked if I could leave my resume on his desk. The rest is history.

 

 

What was your biggest culture shock when moving to America from the Philippines?

Everything is bigger! The food servings, I thought one meal could feed a Filipino family of three.

 

Alan-Arce-1999-blog.jpgAlan Arce in 1999, working at Weir’s.

 

How would you describe the people that work at Weir’s?

Gracious. Generous. Accepting. Kind. The whole fruit of the Spirit.

 

 

What’s your favorite aspect of your job?

I love the creative process. Also, working with the rest of the marketing team and seeing the results of our work is really fulfilling.

 

 

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

Finding the balance between creativity and accuracy. 

 

 

What’s your favorite memory from the time you’ve worked here?

There are so many to choose from. The Fall Festival and Christmas program are great memories. But my favorite memory was of my first weekend working at Weir’s. Mike Clubb, on the merchandising team, picked me up at my apartment to play flag football with a bunch of other employees. I had no clue what flag football was. 

It’s not so much about the game. It’s the feeling of being accepted by Weir’s and becoming part of the group that I love most about that memory. 

 

 

Now it’s time for some fun questions! If you were stranded on a deserted island – what three items would you bring? 

A Fender Accoustasonic Telecaster Guitar, an SLR Nikon D5 camera and a Cessna Citation CJ3 Jet so I can fly back to my family and tell them how pretty the deserted island was.

 

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If you could live any other person’s life for one day, who would you choose and why?

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. I would love to be the first to do something that nobody has ever done. Something beyond my ability, scary, monumental, grand. Imagine getting it done unscathed and living to tell about it! 

 

 

What would you say is your life motto? 

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

 

What do you like to do on your days off?

I’m very involved with the worship team at my church. We love music in our family. I play bass and guitar. Also, just jamming with my two kids – because they’re both musicians and play instruments.

 

 

What’s your favorite thing about being a dad?

To see my kids use their gifts and talents. I love seeing their gifts progress from when they were little until now. But now I can’t teach them anymore because they’re better than me. The students have outgrown their teacher.

 

 

What advice do you have for people who want to learn photography?

It would help to get some formal training to understand the technical aspects of the camera like lighting, exposure and composition. A lot of community colleges offer classes. But really, the best way to learn photography is by doing it. Practice is the greatest teacher!

 

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