Surf Internet Honors Ralph Diaz by Naming La Porte Contact Center in His Memory

When customers called Surf Internet with a particularly difficult problem, there was one person CEO Gene Crusie knew he could count on.

Ralph Diaz.

“He was our secret weapon. He was my secret weapon,” Crusie recalled. “When we were working through an especially challenging customer issue, we turned to Ralph.”

Diaz, a member of Surf Internet’s customer care team since 2019, passed away unexpectedly in February at age 65. On Tuesday, September 22, his family, former coworkers and community leaders gathered at Surf’s La Porte office to ensure his influence on the company would remain visible for years to come.

Surf officially dedicated the Rafael Diaz Contact Center in his honor.

The location was especially fitting. Diaz didn’t simply work in the contact center. He helped define what Surf wanted it to be.

Customer care can be one of the toughest jobs in the company, Crusie told those gathered for the dedication. Employees often answer the phone when something has gone wrong and a customer needs help. Diaz had a particular ability to bring patience and humanity to those conversations.

“What Ralph did is bring heart to that job,” Crusie said.

That same spirit carried into his relationships with coworkers. During the ceremony, Surf shared words employees had used to describe Diaz and remembered the man many affectionately considered their “work dad.” A U.S. Air Force veteran, Diaz was known for listening, sharing what he knew, lending a hand and helping others grow. Outside of work, his love of woodworking and tackling projects with his hands earned him another nickname: “Mr. DIY.”

“Ralph didn’t just lead the contact center here. He showed us what it means to truly embody Surf,” said Joel Richardson, Director of Customer Care. “He led with integrity. He earned trust through his actions, and he always put people first.”

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody attended the dedication and recalled contacting Surf from his own business over the years. He told the Surf team that Diaz’s example reflected the kind of impact they collectively have on the community.

“What we want as a community is someone who makes a difference in people’s lives, because that’s all that matters when we look back on our life,” Dermody said. “Thank you for making a difference here in our community.”

Several members of Diaz’s family joined Surf employees for the ceremony, including his mother, wife, children and siblings. His sister, Maria Johnson, who traveled from Alabama for the dedication, told the group that the affection was mutual: Ralph talked about his Surf coworkers at home, too.

“He really appreciated all his employees and everyone who worked with him,” Maria said. “I want to thank you for loving him the way you guys loved him and remembering him. This is really special.”

Now, the place where Diaz spent his days helping customers and supporting coworkers carries his name.

For Surf, the Ralph Diaz Contact Center is more than a tribute to a beloved colleague. It’s a reminder of the standard he left behind: listen, help, care about people and make a difference wherever you can.