Darrin Hanby just experienced one of the most memorable events of his career. After working with Mathey Dearman for six years as a global manager, he was recently promoted to the company’s vice president. With that, Don Lockhart, the company’s president, has entrusted Hanby with a great deal of responsibility. In turn, Hanby has pledged to make Lockhart’s vision his own and see it to completion.

“Don is my mentor,” Hanby explained. “He has given me a wonderful opportunity to develop Mathey Dearman’s international sales market, and he has empowered me to make a large majority of the day-to-day operating decisions.”

Hanby’s new responsibilities include managing the relationships among Mathey Dearman’s international distributors and the markets in each of their respected regions throughout the world. He will also manage the operations of Mathey Dearman’s sister company, CIA Mathey Italiana, and its relationships with its domestic and international distributors.

Hanby’s journey to Mathey Dearman began with his dad’s influence.

“My father has always been my hero,” he explained. “Before retiring from Conoco Phillips, he enjoyed a successful career as the vice president of aviation services for North America. So, I was definitely an ‘oil kid.’ As the price of oil went up and down, we heard about it all the time.”

Born and raised in Ponca City, Okla., Hanby attended the University of Oklahoma. After living in Atlanta for some time and a stint in the radio, television and film, and telecommunications industry, Hanby moved to Tulsa, where he joined the Mathey Dearman team.

“I had interviewed with several companies in the oil industry, but Mathey Dearman was the best fit for me,” Hanby said.

Before his recent promotion, Hanby served as the company’s international sales and marketing manager, where he built the necessary experience for his transition to an expanded leadership role. As vice president, he will remain true to his roots and continue to build on that sales role, generating sales internationally and sustaining market share and growth for Mathey Dearman.

“Mathey Dearman has grown to be a major global player just in the six years since I have been with the company,” Hanby said. “We have experienced 500-percent growth in that time.”

Hanby knows that everyone at Mathey Dearman has contributed to that tremendous growth.

“I attribute my success to my work ethic, drive, determination, morals and good training,” Hanby said. “I am also surrounded by a strong team of professionals. They make things happen. I really have been blessed with this opportunity.”

It is with that team that Hanby works to achieve the growth both he and Lockhart envision.

“I would like Mathey Dearman to be the No. 1 supplier of our type of manufactured pipe cutting and aligning equipment in all regions of the world,” he said. “I would also like to sustain the success we have achieved in the six years I have been with the company and to continue the growth of our international business.”

Hanby’s strategy for Mathey Dearman’s success comes from a number of lessons learned over his years.

“An order isn’t an order until payment is received,” he said. “An order without payment is just a purchase order.

“Also, get to know as many people in your industry as possible. Network. Be different. Don’t blend in with the crowd. And, most of all, be honest, have integrity and just work hard. Set your sights and your goal, and go after that goal.

“Drive and hard work can overcome lack of talent any day. How bad do you want what you are going after?”

Hanby also stays ahead of his game by reading countless industry trade magazines and staying in constant contact with the company’s distributors worldwide. Additionally, he is a member of the American Welding Society.

In his spare time, when Hanby isn’t jetting around tending to the business of Mathey Dearman (he jokes that his office is located “wherever his computer is”), he enjoys indulging his passion — music. Hanby has played the drums since the age of 10. Additionally, he stays in shape by lifting weights five days a week; playing “futbol” (soccer), basketball and golf; and shooting clay pigeons.

To learn more, call (918) 447-1288 or visit www.mathey.com.