For Josh, success isn’t just about closing a sale; it’s about solving the complex puzzles that keep his community’s infrastructure running smoothly.
As an Outside Sales Representative, he navigates a landscape where no two days, or two projects, are ever the same. Whether he is managing intricate pipe fabrication through the shop or working alongside his Inside Sales team to provide top-tier service, Josh thrives on being the reliable "go-to" person for his customers
Josh's Origin Story with FCX Performance
What is your current role and what does a typical day look like for you?
I am an Outside Sales Representative. A typical day consists of visiting with customers regarding current, future, and past opportunities, preparing bid packages, managing pipe fabrication projects through our pipe shop, working with manufacturers to come up with unbeatable solutions for our customers, and working with my Inside Sales team to provide our customers with the best customer service possible.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that every day is different and no two projects are the same. I enjoy getting to know the folks who work and live in my community and being a go-to person that they can rely on to solve problems they are facing.
What’s “oddly satisfying" about what you do?
Isometric takeoffs. Piping isometric drawings are like a puzzle and working through them to determine a bill of materials is oddly satisfying, especially when I discover errors detailed within.
What was your first professional job? Do you think it has impacted your career?
My first professional job was with Fastenal as an Outside Sales Representative. I called on oil and gas service and drilling companies. It has definitely impacted my career as I learned technical skills and made contacts in that position that has carried over into my roll with EADS EPSCO.
Expert's Desk
What project or accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?
I did a large diameter lined pipe replacement project ten years ago in Ingleside, Texas. The customer was about to spend $1.3 million on various pieces of paste extruded PTFE lined carbon steel piping that typically only saw 4-7 years of life, due to the nature of the process, before the liner would start to fail and require replacement. I proposed an alternative liner material, ETFE, that offered a longer service life and with a price tag that was $500K less expensive. That pipe is still in service today and resulted in the customer updating their pipe spec for that process. It also put me on the map at the site as the go-to for lined process piping.
What’s a “lesson learned” that has stuck with you from the field or a past project?
There are two lessons that I learned early in my career and will forever remember. One is to "Under promise and over deliver", and the other is "Bad news is best served early". Delayed shipments and unforeseen events can plague a project. Being honest with customers about lead times and potential delays and doing everything I can to deliver on time or ahead of what was promised has been key to success. Ensuring an open line of communication with customers and immediately informing them of negative impacts has created more positive outcomes then you might think.
What skills or traits do you think are key to success in your role?
I think you have to be hungry for wins and have a hard work ethic to be successful in this role. There is a lot of competition out there that would love to have the business you have earned, and they are actively trying to take it.
Growth and Wisdom
What’s one goal you hope to achieve this year?
The goal every year is to sell more than the last.
What's the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Always treat your smaller customers with the same respect and level of customer service as your large ones. A good reputation can pay dividends for the life of your career.
The Person Behind the Profession
What’s one thing your coworkers might not know about you?
I love to hunt and fish.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them and share a photo.
I have a Chocolate Lab named June. She will be nine years old this summer. She loves to be around people and brings joy to anyone she meets. Some of her favorite things to do are eat and sleep.
What’s your favorite way to unwind after work?
Hit the water and fish until sundown.
Do you have a favorite book, movie, or podcast you’d recommend?
The Joe Rogan Experience and The MeatEater Podcast.
