We’re excited to welcome Andy Odorzynski to the Induron team! Prior to joining our team, Andy worked as a Project Manager for F.D. Thomas, Inc. rehabilitating the United States Capitol Building. Andy also worked at Caldwell Tanks as a Quality Assurance Inspector, Sales Manager and the Director of Operations.
In addition to receiving his B.S. in finance and MBA from the University of Louisville, Andy is a SSPC Protective Coating Specialist and NACE Level 3-certified Coatings Inspector. Andy not only brings extensive experience and knowledge to our team, but he also exhibits Induron’s core values.
“I was impressed with Andy from the first time I met him,” said Davies Hood, Induron CEO. “We were on opposite sides of a hard negotiation, and I could see that Andy tried to listen to my point of view and negotiate a mutually beneficial compromise. He also has a very impressive work ethic, an open and honest disposition, and he treats others with respect, even when he has the upper hand. In short, I have personally witnessed Andy living the Induron Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Reliability and Innovation.”
As Induron’s newest Regional Sales and Service Manager, Andy aims to increase the specification presence of Induron and the use of Induron products. To learn a little more about Andy, check out this Q&A.
Q: How did you get your start in the protective coatings industry?
A: After high school, I moved out and the bills started rolling in. The painter’s union was taking on apprentices, so I went and signed up. I chose to focus on industrial coatings rather than commercial or residential painting. I spent the next 7 years traveling all over the country blasting and painting industrial structures.
Q: What made you want to work for Induron?
A: The people. During my time at Caldwell, I had a lot of interaction with Induron as one of their clients. Davies, Jeff, Tex and Russell are all people I consider friends. I believe in the way they are working to grow the company, and I wanted to be a part of it.
Q: What are you most excited about/looking forward to in your new position?
A: I am a competitive person. This position comes with some pretty well established competitors who have done well in the area for quite a while. I am looking forward to working hard and getting after them. I am looking forward to winning.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about working in the protective coatings industry?
A: The protective coatings themselves are the most challenging part. I say that somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but consider this: A paint applicator is commonly asked to apply our products within tolerances of 1/1,000th of an inch using hand tools. Humans are not robots. It’s very hard to be perfect when you are talking about a film thinner than a piece of printer paper.
For Induron, the quality of our products must be such that the rheology, spray characteristics, appearance, and long-term performance all meet our client’s expectations. Simultaneously, we have competitors, state and federal government entities, and industry standards, which change the required parameters of our products on a constant basis. It’s not an easy business to be in.
Q: Are you seeing any new trends in the protective coatings industry?
A: Constantly and everywhere. One trend that I find both vitally important and exciting is the increased focus on applicator development. As the leaders in our industry sit around and develop complex products, application equipment, surface preparation methodology, standards and quality measures, it is vital that the community of applicators be trained to understand and execute these ideas. After all, they are the ones who have to go out into the field, in extremely tough conditions, and put all of this into practice. As SSPC, NACE and other organizations continue to develop applicator training and certifications programs, they create a mechanism through which a facility owner or specifier can ensure that the contracting partner they choose is up to the challenge presented by the project. We are all better off when that happens.
Q: What has been the highlight or proudest moment of your career so far?
A: While working on the Capitol Dome Project, there was some work to be done on the Statue of Freedom, and the scaffolding was extended all the way above her head. When I climbed up there and put my hand on the cast iron words “e pluribus unum,” it really hit home where I was and what I was contributing to. From that view you can see the entire District of Columbia. It made me immensely proud to be able to use my knowledge of management and protective coatings to help restore such a powerful symbol.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: “Be who you are, and be that well.” The Harvard Business Review rebranded this notion as Authentic Leadership. But, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales taught me that quote in high school. I am constantly reminded of how useless it is to try and fit into a mold for any given role in your life (manager, father, husband, etc.). It’s far more important to understand who you really are and work to be the best version of that for the role you are called to play.
Q: What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about you?
A: The first day of my painting career involved painting a 200’ tall roller coaster at Cedar Point in Ohio. I showed up bright-eyed and ready to go, barely knowing which end of the brush I was supposed to hold. I introduced myself to the foreman, and he pointed at the handrail leading up the massive first hill. He said: “Start at the top and work your way down. If it takes you longer than I want it to, you’re fired.” It’s been a roller coaster every day since then.
Q: Anything you want to add about family, pets or hobbies?
A: I am a big Louisville Cardinal and Cleveland Browns fan. Between work and family, the little free time I get usually goes to those two organizations.