2025 Employee of the Year
Account Manager
Houston, TX
Donna Walker is an account manager located in the Houston, TX office. She was recognized as the 2025 Employee of the Year for her leadership, persistence, and ability to manage complex challenges. This is just one example of Donna’s contributions to Valin. Read more about Donna’s efforts here.
Challenge / Solution / Benefit
A large midstream customer of Valin Corporation operates a forty-eight-inch crude pipeline from Houston to El Paso, Texas, built in the 1940s. An eight-mile section of this pipeline runs through an aquifer recharge zone, monitored by state and federal agencies to protect water resources. This customer had been using a supplier for leak detection in this section for about 15 years. During the pandemic, changes in the manufacturing process affected the quality of the sensing cable, resulting in frequent failures. By this point, the customer had sustained a seven-figure loss in failed inventory that the current manufacturer would not warranty. The customer incurred high monthly costs, contracting with a company to physically monitor the pipeline.
Seeking a reliable alternative, the customer’s initial choice found it unsuitable because of product failures in harsh conditions. Through the advice and guidance from Donna Walker, a Valin account manager, they agreed to install a 1.2-mile section with an SSM-R3 controller and customized sensing cables. The system communicates with the customer’s central command center for 24/7 monitoring and data logging. Despite challenges, including extended lead times and multiple software upgrades, the trial was successful. The customer was pleased with the performance and has secured funding to complete the installation across the entire eight miles, representing significant revenue potential for Valin.
Donna joined Valin in 2016 through the TriStar Electronics Inc. acquisition. She possesses the traits of an experienced and accomplished sales professional; it is her candor and courage to take on new product lines that set her apart. She qualified and validated the final bill of materials for each of the four phases of this project. She led the primary contract negotiations to secure the deal while balancing customer and vendor requirements. In addition, Donna coordinated the sales, vendor, customer service, and accounting teams to enter, monitor, and bill the customer following the agreed upon contract terms. She supervised the procurement and delivery of material for the first phase while communicating updates weekly to the customer. As if this was not a big enough challenge, Donna had to present and uphold a substantial tariff surcharge on the project that was unplanned and unexpected, as the material shipped from Canada during the adjusted tariff mandates imposed by the US Government. Donna maintained her composure, sought advice and guidance from the team, and secured payment of the surcharge. On May 13th, Donna led the successful start-up and commissioning of the first phase of this project.
Donna is a pleasure to work with and deserves recognition as the employee of the month. She injects enthusiasm and a ‘go get it’ attitude into the sales organization, which is representative of what it means to think and act like an employee-owner.
2025 Employee of the Year