1. What is your role at TPAI?
I’m a part of the Technical Team here at Pallet Alliance, where we look for creative designs, sourcing setups, manufacturing efficiencies, and material advantages to produce a low-cost pallet that effectively carries our customer’s product.
2. What do you love about your job?
I love the variety of projects and people in this industry. Given a big part of the pallet industry is custom sizes, few projects are alike. This means I get to think creatively and solve problems with different approaches from one day to the next. Another thing I love about my job is interacting with our suppliers/partners in the industry. These folks range from businesses with very few employees up to companies with multiple locations and hundreds of workers. Interacting and having relationships with both kinds and everyone in between is neat. The beautiful thing about our industry is that many companies can succeed and bring value to customers regardless of size. There is a niche for almost everyone.
3. What is your professional development journey and what lessons have you learned along the way?
- There is value in everyone’s perspective.
- Ask plenty of questions.
- Jump at opportunities.
- Balancing trying to always say “yes”… but understanding the power of “no”
4. Important skills for success:
- Understand timing.
- Making connections and building relationships.
- Research.
- Confidence in presenting solutions.
5. Favorite sport and sports team?
Hoops, Virginia Tech MBB
6. Something surprising that not many people know about you:
I’m a foodie. I enjoy all types of preparation and enjoy trying new international foods.
7. Tell us a bit about your family:
My wife and I have been together for 11 years and married for almost four. We welcomed a baby girl last year to go along with our two hounds and 4 chickens.
