Employee Spotlight

MEET SCOTT KRATZ

Entering into the valve/positioner industry in 1998, Scott Kratz has extended experience in a wide area of the valve industry. From welding and building control panels, to an expertise in sizing and automating control valves, Scott has the experience on all sides of the valve package. Scott started out working with municipal water boosters and treatment stations and then moved to selling, mounting, and servicing VAC products at a valve automation company. After doing so for 10 years, Scott then became the General Manager here at VAC in 2015. “VAC has not only good products, but good people to back those products. We solve problems. VAC helps people and I am proud to be a part of that”. In addition to the General Manager’s responsibilities, Scott also assists Matt with technical calls. Over the past year, Scott has conducted many Zoom call technical sessions which are available on our YouTube channel. In Scott’s free time away from the office, he enjoys building custom cars, trucks, and motorcycles – or anything with a motor and wheels.

MEET MATT DILL

Beginning his career in the valve industry 30 years go, Matt worked in his hometown at a foundry where metal castings were formed for valve packages. He gained first-hand experience in the process control industry. From there, Matt moved on to another process manufacturer where threaded roads were produced and then left the valve industry for a short time.

With many years of experience, Matt then made his way back into the valve industry and began work at another local company that manufactured, marketed, and sold actuators and controls. After his last career change 13 years ago, Matt made his way into lead technician at Valve Accessories & Controls.

Here at VAC, Matt handles product management, inventory control, and technical support. From day to day, he tracks inventory, makes inventory adjustments, and manages all of VAC shipments to customers while offering technical support to customers and end-users. Matt says, “VAC’s ability to ship product out to customers in such a timely manner is what gives us a competitive advantage”. With a complete product line and quick ship inventory, Matt is proud to be a part of the customer first approach mindset of Valve Accessories & Controls.

MEET BOB GOODWIN

With 24 years of experience in the valve and process industry, Bob Goodwin began as an inside salesman who then transitioned to outside sales. He has worked as a serviceman, valve commissioner, territory manager, and a valve product manager. Bob first met Wayne Fleming, founder of VAC many years ago, he was working with a company who was an early adopter of VAC’s V100. As Bob transitioned through his career changes, he continued to market and sell VAC products. With a background in valve automation, over the past 8 years with VAC Bob has concentrated his experience around promoting valve positioners.

“A great thing about VAC is that titles don’t really matter. We are a small company and everyone works closely together to provide the best possible solutions to our customers.” One project Bob is proud of is being a part of converting an entire plastic plant to VAC digital positioners. While it may take years to convert, the process of doing so is rewarding knowing he was able to help and advise the end user. Bob takes pride in being able to give our customers the creative, cost effective, and reliable choices that VAC offers. He is a “sales guy, but also a tech”. His ability to deliver satisfaction to the customer both on a business relationship level and technically makes VAC proud to have him as our Eastern Regional Manager. While Bob is out of the office and not traveling to visit customers, he could be found working on old, classic cars. He enjoys going for afternoon drives with his wife and dogs in his 1964 Buick Skylark. Bob also enjoys 3D printing. His 3D printing skills come in handy in our industry. He has created a wrench for removing the calibration port plug on a special version of the V200 positioner.

MEET CHERYL SNEAD

As a public accountant in Oklahoma, Cheryl Snead was presented the opportunity to move to Houston, TX and begin her career in industrial sales. Cheryl packed her bags and traveled to her next destination. There, she held an inside sales position while continuing her accounting. For several years she grew relationships with customers and found that the best part of her job was helping the customers. Again in 2001, Cheryl was presented with another opportunity to move to Birmingham, Alabama and develop a positioner company for various flow control markets with Wayne Fleming at Valve Accessories & Controls. While no two days are ever the same, Cheryl diligently performs different tasks which include inside sales, accounting, configuring orders for customers, etc. The many hats Cheryl gets to wear throughout the day is what makes her everyday work day full of excitement. There is joy in the variety and the interactions between her and the customers grow daily.

“It has been exciting to see Valve Accessories start from the ground up with no customers, very little inventory and only two employees…”
Since 2001, Cheryl has seen the company outgrow their first location, move into a new building, add employees, and watch the customer base continue to grow. Cheryl brags on VAC and loves the company and her work life. She says “while we are a small company, we are like a small family. I have been very blessed to work with this group of people.” The industries change over the years, but Cheryl loves that the people she has met, never get out of the business. She said industrial sales can wrap you in and you will be there your whole career but, it is a place she is more than blessed to be in. Cheryl has been a part of VAC’s journey from the beginning. She has been a part of the growth, the success, and now the continuing story of the great company.

While Cheryl is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her cat, attending church and fellowship with her church family, traveling, and other hobbies such as photography, reading, and working in her yard.

MEET RANDY ESTES

Randy began his career as a marketing sales associate at PMV after he graduated from Texas A & M with a degree in Industrial Distribution. Randy worked at PMV for several years before deciding to move on to Valve Accessories and Controls as the Western Regional Sales Manager in 2004. Since that time, he has worked tirelessly to grow his territory by seeking out new distributors as well as OEM’s that want to use/sell a better positioner that is supported by far superior customer service than anyone else in the industry.

Over the years, Randy has learned that building a network and getting to know your customers on a personal level is as important as knowing your customers needs on a business level. While Randy has accomplished many things since he began with VAC 12 years ago, he feels like his greatest accomplishment is playing a crucial role in helping to grow VAC into the company that it is today.

While he knows that there is a large potential for international sales, he believes that there are many more untapped opportunities for sales right here in the USA.

When he’s not working, Randy enjoys coaching his daughter in the sports that she participates in.  He also enjoys sailing and is a Lacrosse official for the high school and college level in Texas.