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A Conversation with … Bill Oney Therma-Tron-X Bill Oney recently joined TTX as a sales engineer, but has a long career in finishing. He is a retired Marine Corp Chief Warrant Officer Third Grade with almost 21 years of combined active and reserve time. He began his career as a welder, supervisor of paint stripping and fabrication, then worked in product design and sales. He also serves on the CCAI Board of Directors. We caught up with Bill as he was finishing the move from Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, to Sturgeon Bay, where TTX is headquartered. PF: How do you go from being an assistant on a paint line to a sales engineer? BO: I think being at the right place at the right time. Not be- ing afraid to take chances and raise your hand to say "I'll try or do that." Also, jump in when no one else will, treat others the way you want to be treated, listening to others—really lis- ten—and find someone to emulate that is successful. When I left active duty, I had a full-time job, a part-time business with a friend, was in the Marine Reserves and went to school in the evenings to better myself. PF: You have more than 20 years in the Marines and reserve duty. How has that affected your career? BO: It heightens your senses to dedication, discipline and brotherhood. I feel the basic Marine principles are how I like to think I lead my life; it taught me to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country no matter what, and to always lead by example. PF: How hard has the travel been in your career? BO: Always faithful to the mission. It's not ideal for everyone, and there have been times throughout the years that travel wears on a guy. It's important to appreciate everything you have, have a good foundation at home and a spouse that sup- ports your love for what you do. I am fortunate; my wife and I got married just before I deployed to Desert Storm in 1991 and I was gone for about six months. My honeymoon was me and 19 guys in a tent. She is still with me today. PF: What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? BO: I had a couple of friends growing up and we all had odd jobs during the summer. It became almost a contest to see who could get the most lawn mowing jobs, snow shoveling jobs and get paid for doing something. I can remember riding my bike across town to push a lawn mower for a couple hours and making $5 or $10. I negotiated in sixth grade to shovel snow at a restaurant down the block and getting a sandwich and fries and $5. I thought it was the greatest feat to get more for the sale, I just had to make sure I didn't fail him by not showing up and agreeing to do what we said. I think this still applies; I get excited when I can fulfill an obligation to a cus- tomer and negotiate a fair deal that we can agree on. PF: What leadership traits have helped you along the way? BO: There are 14 that the Marines instill into you as you are transformed from a civilian to a Marine: justice, judgment, dependability, initiative, decisiveness, tact, integrity, endur- ance, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty and enthusiasm. I would add one more: The Golden Rule, treat others as you want them to treat you, even if they don't. PF: If you could trade jobs for a day, who would it be? BO: That guy who drives the 1967 Camaro and goes all over the place trying different foods, Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive- ins and Dives. Anyone who knows me will attest that I will try just about anything. Read more of Billʼs answers at PFonline.com. PRODUCTS FINISHING (ISSN 0032-9940) is sent on a complimentary basis to selected production, engineering and management personnel in North American plants where electroplating, painting, and other finishing operations are performed. 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Copying done for other personal or internal reference use without express permission of Gardner Business Media Inc., is prohibited. Address requests for special permissions or bulk orders to the magazine. ISSN 0032-9940/82 $2.00. 56 MARCH 2017 — PFonline.com END OF THE LINE Get to Know Bill Family: My wife Vicki and I have been together since 1984. I am very close to our kids, grandkids and my siblings. I lost my mom in 1983, but we still have our dad. Favorite hobby: Fishing, hunting or building, and doing things with our grandkids. Favorite movie: "It's a Wonderful Life" What's playing in your car CD/radio: Frank Sinatra or anything 70s, 80s.