Transplanted Yankee Links R&D Machine to Its Customers
R&D Machine Sales Administration Manager Deb Schmidt describes herself as a loyal person. Based on her career resume, it’s hard to argue with that description.
In more than 30 professional years of working, Deb has only spent time at three companies. This year, she’s celebrating her 16th year working in sales at R&D Machine. The first fifteen were while Hilary and Carl Whitley owned the company. The most recent twelve months were under Compass Precision’s ownership.
Her tenure at R&D Machine actually dates back to 2006. She worked in an administrative role at the company for about a year before going back to being a stay-at-home mom. But when her youngest child went into kindergarten, she returned to R&D, where she’s remained since then.
“I was ready to come back to work,” said Deb. “I enjoyed working here, and I had remained friends with Carl and Hilary.
“And I was ready to come back, they were ready to have me back, and it just evolved from there. As the company grew, my role grew.”
“We are extremely fortunate to have Deb,” explained Compass CEO Gary Holcomb. “She was the focal point for continuity when we acquired R&D Machine from the Whitley’s. Our customers love her, and so do we.”
Deb’s role has grown to the point where she’s the go-to person for all R&D Machine customers.
She’s extremely proud of the relationships she’s built while working at R&D Machine. Deb says she tries to help every customer as much as possible.
Deb described having a personal connection even with customers that she’s never met in person.
“Just the rapport and the relationship with a lot of my customers that I have had for as many years as I’ve been working here, it’s nice,” said Deb. “You know, I’ll ask somebody, ‘Did your daughter have the baby yet?’ The personal aspect of it with your customers.
“I know I bring that to the table because I’ve known a lot of these buyers for years.”
Deb’s role at R&D Machine was her first sales position. It was also her first role at a manufacturing company.
Before working at R&D Machine, she did accounting/purchasing at Anchor Glass Container in Tampa. Her first job was in data entry at a collection agency in New York.
Deb grew up on Long Island in Valley Stream, NY. She moved to Florida in 1989 for her role at Anchor Glass Container. She left Anchor Glass to become a stay-at-home mom for her three children for a little more than six years. She returned to the workforce at R&D Machine.
Other than the relationships she’s built, her favorite part about working at R&D Machine is the diversity that comes with the job.
“I couldn’t come in tomorrow with a mindset of ‘Ok, I want to get this, this and this done,’” said Deb. “Who knows what’s going to happen when I walk through the door. It can change at any point.”
Deb has two daughters, Anneliese and Maria, and one son, Chris. Her first granddaughter, Lily, was born in September 2022.
In her free time, she loves to read, do puzzles and go to theme parks. Her favorite theme park is Universal Studios.
Deb is also an avid Yankees fan. She follows the team from Florida using the MLB TV app. Her family took Lily to her first Yankees game on March 26. Deb knows there will be many more to follow and can’t wait.