Greg Neneman

Greg Neneman has been a consistent and reliable Valin Team member for over 30 years, currently working from the Chandler, AZ office. Greg demonstrated the difference between a manager and a leader by perceiving a need and owning it though it was beyond his directives. His long-term vision exposed a critical need and recognized steps were necessary to support the career development of a new hire and the success of expanding Valin’s presence in Arizona.

An Industrial Automation Business Development Manager (BDM) began working from the Chandler office at the beginning of the pandemic. The responsibility of the role was to develop automation business in Arizona and pneumatic sales in all regions. As the pandemic developed into significant lockdowns Greg understood this would be a major obstacle to the manager’s interactions with customers.

In a textbook example of cross-business unit selling Greg created openings using his established customer base to help with introductions and access to key decision-makers. He did not stop at the introduction and walk away. The customers see Greg as a trusted resource, thus he stayed engaged throughout the entire process until the new Business Development Manager had time to establish credibility with the customers. Due to their combined efforts, new relationships resulted, and orders for Automation and Pneumatic solutions were placed because of ongoing problems discovered at customer sites further expanding Valin’s relationship with them.

Greg took the initiative to understand the value of the Automation and Pneumatic product lines and how they fit with the customer’s needs. He helped build a bridge between Valin’s traditional product lines and the new technologies being introduced to the customers. Too often in cross-technology selling, the incumbent account manager makes introductions and then removes themselves without being fully committed to the success of the new account manager’s efforts. Greg understands it takes hard work and dedication to be successful in cross-technology selling. As a result, Valin has captured thousands in new Automation Business, in addition to three more opportunities worth several thousand, significantly increasing the account in automation sales this year.

Greg is a respected person, co-worker, and friend. Valin is fortunate to have him within the organization.