What is your job title, and what does that position entail?
I am a Sales Engineer. I cover the western portion of the Portland metro area and all of southern Oregon. I work with our clients to create automation solutions that improve their manufacturing processes. I also ensure that our clients are up to date with the latest automation technology to maintain a competitive edge over their competition.
How long have you worked at Olympus, where did you come from? A little history of how you got involved with Olympus?
I have been with Olympus since January 2015. I was in my senior year at The University of Wisconsin – Madison when I interviewed with a company that hires for automation distributors. The Pacific Northwest was a place that I had always wanted to live and when I was introduced to Olympus, it was an easy decision to make the move out west!
What do you like best about working at Olympus?
I love that I get the opportunity to visit with many local businesses in a wide range of industries and understand the amount of effort it takes to ship a finished product. I am grateful that I get to have a role (albeit a small one) in the resurgence of manufacturing in the US.
Describe a little of your past history.
I was born just north of Chicago and moved to a suburb of Madison, Wisconsin when I was in 4th grade. After graduating high school, I went to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities for my freshman year of college. Once I realized that Minnesota was far too cold for anyone to survive, I transferred to UW-Madison where I finished my degree in mechanical engineering.
Describe some of your hobbies – what do you like to do outside of work?
After spending much of my life in the cornfield and cow pasture filled Midwest, I now spend much of my time exploring the incredible scenery the Northwest has to offer. I enjoy hiking and backpacking in the mountains while also working on my photography skills. Living in downtown Portland also gives me the perfect excuse to visit all of the restaurants and bars in the area.
What are some key lessons you have taken from your career thus far?
The biggest lesson I have learned is that you are never going to know all the answers, but the key is to have the determination and confidence that you will figure it out with the resources you have.
What is one thing you customers might find surprising about you?
My ancestors were some of the first land owners in Wisconsin after it became a state in 1848. The land is still in the family to this day and we even have pictures of the property from around 1900.
