SNA Displays proudly considers the concept of “people first” to be one of our core values. While our tangible product offering is top-tier LED video display technology, our real strength is the people who work at SNA Displays day in and day out, the ones who make Dreams Live Digitally® a reality. As we continue our employee spotlight series, let’s learn little more about Randy Bortles.
Randy is a director of business development at SNA Displays. He’s been with the company for over five years. He earned a Bachelor of Education in health and physical education/fitness at The College at Brockport, State University of New York. Randy has been involved in amateur wrestling for over 50 years and in 2016 was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Personal Background
Where did you grow up? Do you have any favorite childhood memories you’d like to share?
I was born in a little town in upstate New York (Phoenix). I have great memories of growing up with big winters and spending time with family and friends.
Who’s had a significant influence on your life?
My father. He is currently 90 years old and still teaching me how to be a better person each and every day.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
“Don’t eat yellow snow!” – 1964, John “Boo” Young, my best friend (I was 8 years old).
Do you have a personal motto or mantra? If so, what is it and what are its origins for you?
“Control what you can, effort and attitude!” This comes from having a very competitive family and transformational coaches.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Watching my family and friends compete in sports and life. We have been very fortunate that we have some high-level athletes throughout the family: Blake Bortles, NFL QB; Colby Bortles, MLB Detroit Tigers organization/college coach; Alexa Bortles, Ole Miss Tennis; and my daughter Brooke Bortles, college soccer player and high school coach.
What’s a something most people don’t know about you?
I was in a motorcycle accident in May 2002 that left me an incomplete quadriplegic just when I was preparing to become a PGA Club golf professional. I was preparing to leave the tech company Solectron and train full-time to become a golf professional, reducing my golf handicap to below 1.
Besides your job, what subject are you interested in or have expertise in?
Sports and transformational coaching/leadership.
What is your lifelong passion?
I enjoy giving back to wrestling at all levels—middle school, high school, college, and international. I have been involved in starting high school and college men’s/women’s programs in Georgia, as well as giving student-athletes scholarship opportunities in the wrestling arena.
Professional Background
What did you do professionally before joining SNA Displays?
I worked at Nanolumens in Atlanta.
What has been your favorite job (other than SNA Displays of course) and why?
I was a teacher/coach in New York and Georgia for 10 years. I loved the interaction with students, athletes, and coaches.
Experience at SNA Displays
What drew you to SNA Displays?
Energetic, smart ownership.
In your own words, how would you describe your current role?
Business development leading to inside sales, and sales support for geographic sales directors (and Jason Helton, executive vice president).
How have your previous jobs been similar to working at SNA Displays?
I have been in a sales support role or sales team leader role for over 30 years in the tech sector.
What is your typical workday like?
From 9 A.M. to whenever, I supply accurate consultive information (specs/BIM/drawings/quotes) via phone and email.
What do you like most about your job?
I like interacting with people both internal and external to SNA Displays and the competition of “the sale” – winning and losing drives me.
What accomplishment at SNA Displays are you most proud of? Your career overall? What is your next big accomplishment going to be?
I’m proud of being a small part of a successful SNA Displays team. I hope my career is defined by others as successful and ethical. I want to be seen as a mentor and a person people wanted to work with. Next? I am in the 4th quarter of my professional career, so maybe a “Hail Mary huge project win” for SNA Displays.
If you could switch jobs for a day with anyone else at SNA Displays, whose job would you want and why?
I wouldn’t want to switch jobs with anyone at SNA Displays. They are all professionals, and I would screw their worlds up.
Looking to the Future
Where is SNA Displays and/or the industry headed in the next 10 years?
Hardware always becomes a “commodity” when volumes and revenue increase. Consolidation will continue in the channel with shrinking margins, and that drives integrators to service offerings. Global brands and industry technology innovators will thrive in the DvLED space; everyone else will compete for what remains. SNA Displays will continue to innovate and evolve in the next 10 years, positioning themselves as an industry leader.
What advice would you give a prospective SNA Displays employee in your field?
Learn as much as you can every day about your clients, products, and the industry. Expand your professional network daily and treat everyone with respect.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am thankful to SNA Displays for giving me the opportunity to work here.