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A Conversation with … Don Walsh Uyemura Donald Walsh has been with Uyemura International Corp. for 20 years and retires this month as its director of operations. His involvement with the surface finishing industry—and specifically the electronic and circuit board sectors—has been enormous. "His contributions have been a huge part of what has allowed Uyemura to evolve into the global leader it is today," says Tony Revier, company president. PF: What did you enjoy most about your job? DW: Working with a great group while rising from unknown to major player in this market. PF: How did you get involved in the finishing industry? DW: A college friend, Mike Moffatt, recommended me for an open management position at ACR. PF: What are your retirement plans? DW: Spend more quality time with my kids and grandchildren. PF: What's the best piece of advice you were given? DW: My first boss at ACR, Collin Stevens, said in sales the most important thing is to keep the customer/vendor relation- ship on an even keel. If one takes advantage of the other, it will be short term dealings. PF: What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? DW: I started caddying in seventh grade. I learned how to handle the occasional difficult customer while enjoying the rest. PF: What leadership traits have helped you along the way? DW: Attention to details, plus a balance of humor, fairness and push. PF: How do you motivate yourself? DW: Reaching for target accomplishments. PF: What did you want to be when you grew up? DW: A Major League baseball player. PF: Where would we find you on a typical Saturday? DW: Doing something with my wife, Gail. PF: Best way to keep competitive edge? DW: Stay interested and have an aim. PF: Personal heroes? DW: My late wife, Janice, and her mother; both showed amaz- ing strength and humor despite losing battles to cancer. PF: How do you motivate people? DW: Be kind, supportive, but prod as necessary. PF: Most unique office décor? DW: Photos of me in a racing car at Lime Rock Speedway. PF: Best business decision? DW: Coming to UIC 20 years ago. PF: Worst business decision? DW: Believing an employer was as successful as they claimed. My shortest work stay and they are long out of business. PF: Biggest management myth? DW: The customer is always right. 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. All other subscriptions per year are $89 in the United States, $99 in Canada and Mexico and $200 elsewhere. Published monthly and copyright ©2017 by Gardner Business Media Inc., 6915 Valley Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244-3029. Telephone: (513) 527-8800. Printed in U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Cincinnati, Ohio and at additional mailing offices. If undeliverable, send form 3579. CANADA POST: Return all undeliverables to: IMEX Global Solutions, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Canadian publication mail agreement 40612608. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Products Finishing, 6915 Valley Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45244-3029. Permissions: Libraries and other organizations registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC, 27 Congress St., Salem, MA 01970) may photocopy any article herein for the flat fee of $2.00 per copy of the article. Payment should be sent directly to the CCC. 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 JUNE 2017 — PFonline.com END OF THE LINE Get to Know Don Family: Wife Gail, great children and 11 grandkids Favorite hobby: Model trains Favorite movie: "Last of the Mohicans" Favorite book: Confederacy of Dunces What's playing in your car CD/radio: A wide variety of music