When Chris Priddy was hired earlier this year as Dynamic Air Shelters’ new national sales manager, he was no stranger to the blast-resistant module market. With over 15 years of experience in the field and a family history that keeps refinery safety close to his heart, Priddy is proud to lead Dynamic Air Shelters’ sales team into the future. BIC Magazine recently sat down with Priddy to discuss his goals and motivations for his new position.
Q: What led to your position at Dynamic Air Shelters?
A: Being in the blast industry for the past several years, I understand the need for work environments within blast zones to keep employees safe and protected in the event of a blast. That’s my main motivation. My dad worked in a refinery for 42 years, and for the last 20-some of those years, he was a turnaround maintenance planner. So I’m very familiar with that position and the need people in those positions and their employees have for blast-resistant protection.
Q: What is the biggest news at Dynamic Air Shelters right now?
A: Our expansion into Houston and the Gulf Coast area. There’s a perception right now we’re only based out of Calgary, Alberta, but we have several staff members based in Houston and the surrounding area with plans to grow within the next six months. We want the U.S. market to know we are here to support their projects.
Q: What is most important in leading your sales team?
A: Motivating my team and providing them with all the support, tools and resources they need to be successful are of the utmost importance to me. I also prioritize monitoring the marketplace for any future opportunities, maintaining all current relationships in the industry and building on new ones, and of course making sure all prospects and clients have a clear understanding of the technology our product line offers in the event of a blast.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: I worked in a refinery for three summers while I was in college, so I was around that department a great deal and saw how they operated, the conditions they had to work in and the dangers of their jobs. This was back in the mid- to late 90s, when there weren’t any mandates on blast zones or blast-resistant criteria yet. We have family friends who perished in that refinery through flash fires and other accidents, so that’s a huge motivator for me. When I’m visiting with turnaround groups and other prospective clients, it brings back the memory of my dad and his colleagues with whom I worked for several years. I see a lot of them in my clients, and that’s what drives me to continue advocating for their safety.
Q: How do you maintain a good work/home life balance?
A: I like to play golf and go running in my spare time. I’m probably guilty of over-checking emails outside of work, but I try to keep a consistent workout regimen and set aside time to spend with my family and friends. Since they’re my main motivation to work in this industry, I like to think Dynamic Air Shelters’ policy of conducting multiple field tests in extreme environments — with proven success — supports my home life as well as my work life.
For more information, visit www.dynamicairshelters.com or call (877) 772-7734.