We’re excited to welcome Derek Arrington to the Induron team as our Sales and Service Management representative for the Florida area. Derek recently graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics and Information Systems. Derek’s early professional experience revolved around sales working for large corporations.
To learn a little more about Derek and the asset he will be to our team, check out this Q&A.
Q: Tell us about your background, experience in the paint/coatings industry and how you came to work for Induron.
A: My early professional experience revolved around sales, primarily in the fast food and retail industries. However, these environments offered limited opportunities for cultivating relationships and building lasting connections. Working for large corporations like Culver’s and Walmart, there was an emphasis on transactional efficiency, focusing solely on maximizing customer turnover. While I thrived in sales, I found myself wanting for a role that allowed me to leverage my entrepreneurial side.
Upon transferring from Pasco Hernando State College to the University of South Florida to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I recognized the pivotal role of my chosen major, Business Analytics and Information Systems, in shaping my future career path. Beyond business strategies and technical competencies, I honed my ability to communicate effectively and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships, which was a leading factor in my graduation with summa cum laude honors in May 2024.
During my research for USF’s final career fair, I discovered Induron and immediately learned two compelling aspects that made me so eager for this role. Firstly, despite my lack of prior experience in the coatings industry, the job description and company website highlighted a commitment to comprehensive employee training and strong technical expertise—areas where I excel. Secondly, Induron demonstrated a reputation for exemplary customer and employee care. These factors confirmed that this position resonated with my career aspirations and aligned perfectly with what I had been looking for.
Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the coatings industry?
A: There seems to have been a large push recently for water-based epoxies due to regulatory changes meant to protect the environment. Certain companies have even pushed for these changes in an attempt to build sales in their well-established water-based product lines while forcing their competition to quickly adjust to these changes and create new products on the fly. However, Induron’s non-water-based epoxies are still usable even under the new guidelines, which has helped boost sales and increase market share while other companies work to regain their foothold in the industry.
Q: What are your responsibilities in your new role?
A: My primary responsibility is to generate outside sales and seek new markets in Florida and adjacent territories. I will do this by generating specification positions for Induron in water, wastewater, power, and other strategic markets. In addition to this primary responsibility, I will also be providing technical customer service to ensure improved and stable business relationships, provide input on marketing strategies and product development, and participate in the planning and execution of trade shows.
Q: Why Induron? What’s your favorite thing about working for Induron so far?
A: Put simply, the values that I hold and Induron holds align perfectly. Induron believes in relationship selling to the point that they will even suggest a cheaper alternative if that is all that is needed. They don’t believe in subversion or “used car salesman” tactics but strive to provide the very best quality and service for their customers, and I learned two things from this. Firstly, that if they had this much care for their customers, they would also have this much care for their employees. Secondly, that I would be selling a product I actually believe in, with assistance from fellow coworkers that I could trust.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
A: I see two particular aspects of this job as being a potential challenge as I begin my work. On a superficial level, climbing very tall, elevated water tanks does not seem like it will be my favorite activity in the world, but I am always game for a new adventure in life. But, more importantly, I think that generating outside sales and gaining specification position in a new territory that is dominated by larger competitors could be a challenge. However, I firmly believe in what Induron is selling, and it will be the formation of trusting relationships and the creation of high-quality products that will lead to great success in Florida and surrounding areas.
Q: Tell us about a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of.
A: In my final semester at the University of South Florida, I had the opportunity to be the acting Scrum Master of a 7-person team that completed two agile projects throughout the term. Though the projects themselves were hypothetical and not as in-depth as a real project would be, it was the coordination of a whole team to achieve our goals on time that proved to be the most fulfilling part of the experience. Despite all our meetings and work being conducted remotely, we were able to form lasting relationships that remain to this day, and it was that team mentality that allowed us to be successful, getting full marks on both projects. It is this team building that I am so proud of, and another reason why Induron stood out to me when searching for a job. They act as if they were a family, and I knew that I would be able to fit in well.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: “Follow your dreams, but don’t ignore opportunity” -Mike Rowe. This simple quote has reflected my mentality in life for years. Though I would have liked to be an NBA player, the simple fact is that is not exactly an easy dream to achieve. In addition, I had a fully paid scholarship that would allow me to get a bachelor’s degree for free and move into a fulfilling job in the near future, so I decided to focus on the opportunity set before me.
Q: If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: I would love to have dinner with my grandfather on my mother’s side. Unfortunately, he died shortly before I was born, and I never had the chance to meet him. However, the stories I’ve heard about him are nothing short of fantastic and he seemed like a very kind and funny man. Though I am very grateful for the family I have now, I think that it would be a fun opportunity to learn more about him.
Q: What person has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
A: I would have to say my dad. It is with no exaggeration that I say that he is who formed me into the man I am today. I would not be this dedicated to working hard, doing what I am supposed to, and working to improve every day without him. He taught me to be strong, even when I am weak. There were many things he had me do when I was young, but I now thank him for constantly. For instance, I used to be a very introverted boy who was not the easiest to hold a conversation with. It was my dad who made me go to a youth group and begin socializing, and it is this practice I got every Wednesday that now allows me to talk with anyone about anything. I truly would not be here today without him.
Q: Tell us a little about your family, pets and/or hobbies.
A: Though I have step siblings, they are quite a bit older than me, so I was essentially raised as an only child by my mother and father. I have plenty of aunts and uncles in the state, and we all get together every Thanksgiving for a family reunion. I have one cat and two dogs who all get together very well, though I think the cat often wishes for some alone time. I enjoy lifting weights, going out with friends, reading, and learning new skills. The main skill that I have dedicated myself to learning recently is learning Spanish, and I hope that will assist me in performing my job.