Tom Trinh

Tom Trinh has been a constant in his position for over 25 years coming to Valin via an acquisition 8 years ago. Tom serves tirelessly as a Senior Application Engineer by mentoring, providing superior technical customer support, and communicating effectively. He is the lead for many of Valin’s key OEM accounts in Southern California and a major contributor on several large projects.

Tom’s application engineering is best in class, but he contributes far more. Tom serves as a mentor to many sales engineers both past and present. He helps them to learn not only the technical aspects and solutions of automation, but also the intricacies of working with customers, suppliers, and colleagues. Most importantly, Tom brings a positive attitude and great energy each day. He motivates others and expects the best from everyone on the team. He is dedicated to serving customers and other members of the Valin family. He is often the first one in the office and the last one to leave.

Tom is a cornerstone of the Santa Ana office and the customers served. Tom was vital in Valin’s efforts to displace a competing manufacturer at an OEM customer which thanks to his efforts, Valin received a purchase order. For example, he specified two different controllers for a long-standing customer. The head engineer continues to do business with Valin strictly because of the tremendous support provided by Tom. Tom does what he promises and follows up immediately on questions and requests. He is valued because of his ability to teach customers and answer questions on the spot. What he does not know, he gets quick answers from the factory because of the preferential treatment he receives from his years of working with the supplier personnel. Tom has invested time to learn about the products Valin supplies as well as the customers’ machines. What Tom does on a regular basis may not seem glamorous, but they are the things that matter.

Tom is perceptive and he understands the sales component of providing solutions. Valin can create the best solution in the world and never implement it if it cannot be effectively communicated to the customer. Tom can perceive in real time what is important to the customer and adjust his presentation to his audience. All of this is done while maintaining Valin’s integrity.

Valin’s success with automation in southern California is due to Tom’s efforts, passion, contributions and patience with salespeople and customers. Tom Trinh should be recognized for his outstanding contribution to leadership and performance. He is the standard to which we should all abide.