Cameron Executive Network Mentor

Sue Booth

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After six years of college training to become a history teacher, I landed in business. Limited opportunities for teachers in Ohio led me to Wilmington NC and a position of sales service representative for Federal Paper Board on 23rd Street near the ILM airport. After a few years I moved back to my hometown of Akron Ohio and finished my Master's degree. While there I worked for BFGoodrich in marketing and sales. This started my career in the Plastics Industry. The University of Akron has an excellent polymers program and BF Goodrich hired many of its graduates. When I was hired they needed good communicators who could be trained in the technical side of their business. After a couple of years in the corporate office, I applied for my first outside sales territory, moved to Atlanta, GA and was the sales rep for seven Southeastern states. I became a road warrior selling vinyl products. During a large layoff in the mid 1980's and a move to Charlotte NC, I landed a a job with Teknor Apex Company that lasted 35 years. Teknor Apex, based in Rhode Island, is a large family-owned compounder of flexible plastics. The Carolinas became home. Opportunities in the telecommunications, medical, automotive, appliance, building, construction and many more industries presented themselves. Various positions offered experience working with all facets of big and small companies in purchasing, shipping, accounting, manufacturing, quality control and product design. Networking with people in roles from the CEO to the line workers in factories was extremely rewarding. The territory grew from $3 million in the beginning to $49 million at the end of my run. I continue to consult and network with clients and members of the business world. These experiences have been extremely rewarding and educational. I can offer wisdom and advice to future sales and marketing professionals or anyone in pursuit of a career in business.

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