Tracey Haslam built a 20-year career at Honeywell, where she rose to the position of general manager of the Americas market. She gained valuable skills and knowledge in corporate management and best practices, however she felt a calling to pursue her entrepreneurial vision.
Haslam led and then sold a satellite communications company, and she considered retiring early to spend time with her family. But she realized that she had more to give and recognized the need for female role models in STEM leadership, and she embarked on her next venture.
In 2018, Haslam purchased Westech Recyclers, a small recycling company in Phoenix, which she renamed Full Circle Electronics to reflect its purpose. Under Haslam’s leadership, Full Circle became a comprehensive electronics recycler, handling everything from discarded electronics in landfills to public electronics recycling and large-scale collections of end-of-life computers. Haslam reorganized the business and implemented best practices, resulting in its doubling in size over three years.
Full Circle Electronics attracted the interest of Tide Rock, which entered into a partnership with the company in 2022. With Tide Rock’s backing, Haslam expanded Full Circle’s operations to include locations in Colorado, Georgia, California and Florida, creating a national operation.
“Intelligent risk-taking has been a consistent focus for me throughout my career, regardless of my position,” Haslam said. “The most significant risk I took was transitioning from an ‘intrapreneur’ in corporate America to an entrepreneur running my own business. This new venture aligned more closely with my family’s values, but lacked the security of a steady salary.
“To feel comfortable with this risk, I developed a strategic plan that included scenario and sensitivity analyses. I clearly identified data gaps, and continuously updated and refined our model to keep us on the path to success. This clear planning and execution helped mitigate risks and kept everyone working toward the same goals.”
Under Haslam’s leadership, Full Circle Electronics has grown revenue from $4 million in 2018 to an expected $40 million this year. It has expanded its geographic presence and launched new products to support remote work during the pandemic.
Haslam volunteers to speak at educational events, school programs and high school sustainability clubs. She’s led Girl Scouts STEM events, including learning how to take apart a computer and understanding what each component does. Most recently, Haslam was invited to speak at the Arizona State Bar Association about entrepreneurship and business acquisitions. She also donates time to nonprofits, including volunteering on the board of Keep Phoenix Beautiful, whose great work includes sponsoring Community Garden Programs and recycling throughout the Phoenix area.
