The Young Fastener Professionals organization has appointed three new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board of Directors are Baron Yarborough of Spring Bolt & Nut Mfg., Jessi Solt of G.L. Huyett and Amber Artz of the Boulder Company. According to Ryan Kertis, the President of the Young Fastener Professionals, these new Board members embody the “spirit of our organization and bring the essential aptitude, proficiency and energy to the table which will enable YFP continued success.”

In addition to thee three national Board members, Derek Dandy of Bodycote also joined the Board for the Mid-Atlantic Young Fastener Professionals; Michael Robinson of The Dyson Corporation and Bob Morrissey Jr. of American Ring joined the Board for the North Coast Young Fastener Professionals; Kenny Sanker of Blue Chip Engineered Products joined the South East Young Fastener Professionals Board; Matt Roberts of W.J.Roberts Co., Inc.  joined the North East Young Fastener Professionals Board; and Mike Ricciardi of ITW Shakeproof joined the Mid-West Young Fastener Professionals Board. 

The existing Board of Directors Ryan Kertis, Melissa Patel, Aaron Shushan & Bryan Wheeler will remain in their positions throughout 2017.

In a series of interviews, we will be telling you more about these new members of the Young Fastener Professionals Board. We now introduce you to Derek Dandy of the Board for the Mid-Atlantic Young Fastener Professionals.

Bio:

I knew I was always meant to be in a technical field as I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of the sciences and the uniqueness of solving problems. Graduating from Rutgers University with a Bachelor Degree in engineering allowed me to expand and hone my knowledge of various materials. After starting a job with Corning in North Carolina, I learned quickly that my passion was not sitting at a desk and pursued a new love of sales.

I have always enjoyed customer facing and being able to apply my skills in multiple facets of technical fields. As I started a career with Fastenal, I found a niche within the fastener industry and instantly felt a sense of self; it was the perfect mix of engineering and sales. My last role as National Sales Manager also allowed me to experience multitudes of companies in various locations covering North America. After gaining experience in distribution, manufacturing, and importing, I focused my attention on secondary processing and joined the Bodycote teams as a Market Development Engineer, in 2016.

Not only do I enjoy strategic problem solving, I have a passion for coaching and teaching others. I believe that I have the ability to recognize and develop the potential of other people. Not only is it empowering to help others around me, being a team players is very important. Mentoring others and coaching hockey in my home state of New Jersey has allowed me to learn there are countless ways to maximize an individuals potential.

I’m excited to continue my career as a strong engineering professional in the fastener industry and look forward to the many possibilities it has to offer. When I’m not working or traveling, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing hockey and woodworking.

  • How did you enter into the fastener industry? 
    My first role in the Fastener Industry was as an Outside Sales Representative for Fastenal in Union, NJ.  I then moved onto various roles within Fastenal; General Manager, Middlesex, NJ, Manufacturing Sales Specialist, New England Region, National Sales Manager, Holo-Krome. 
  • You are a representative of Bodycote. What is your role in the company?
    My role is part of our North American Specialty Stainless Steel Process, S3P team, which falls under Bodycote’s Specialist Technologies group.  We are responsible for developing new relationships in target markets as well as finding new applications for our proprietary Stainless Steel surface hardening technology, Kolsterising®.
  • What are your favorite aspects of the fastener industry?
    One of my favorite aspects about the industry is how dynamic the industry is.  In my 10 years, I’ve been in distribution, manufacturing, importing and secondary processing.  Each one of these roles has allowed me to gain a well-rounded perspective of the industry as well as solve some rather challenging applications.
  • Why do you think that having the Young Fastener Professionals Organization is so important in the fastener industry?
    YFP has the opportunity to create an influx of talented people who may never have considered working in the fastener industry.  The diversity of the current YFP members’ backgrounds strengths the organizations foundation and will allow new members to thrive.
  • Describe your role on the Mid-Atlantic Young Fastener Professionals Board of Directors.
    My role is to promote our organization, bring value to employees and companies in the industry through mentoring, educating and collaborative networking events.
  • What do you hope to bring/contribute to the future of the Young Fastener Professionals?
    I hope to be able to share my experiences with my peers as well as mentor those considering a career path in the fastener industry.  I’d also like to further promote how important the fastener industry is to everything we do on a daily basis and show how much career potential the industry holds. 

We would like to thank Mr. Dandy for the interview and wish him the best in his new position with the Young Fastener Professionals! 

 

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Related Links:

 

Fastener Interviews, Fasteners, The Fastener Museum