Susan Kovac’s Remarkable Journey: A Retrospective on Her Retirement from Soltex
Tuesday, February 13th, 2024
In the business world, some individuals leave an indelible mark on their organizations as well as the overall marketplace in which they served. Susan Kovacs is undoubtedly one of them. After dedicating 33 years to the company, Susan is now embarking on a well-deserved retirement. In this blog post, we’ll delve into her incredible journey, her contributions, and her thoughts on retirement.
A Journey Spanning Over Three Decades
Susan’s story at Soltex began when the company opened its doors in September 1990. From day one, she was a key part of the team, and her role in sales was her passion and strong suit. Her unwavering commitment to Soltex and its customers is evident in her impressive tenure, spanning over three decades. Susan had previously worked with Tony Massoud, Founder and CEO, and later met his business partner, Dave Brandt. These relationships were instrumental in Soltex’s early success. Susan’s admiration for her colleagues and their shared vision kept her rooted at Soltex throughout her career.
Memorable Moments and Milestones
Over the years, Susan witnessed numerous milestones and memorable moments at Soltex. She vividly remembers the excitement of their first order and the subsequent growth of the company. Polybutene became a cornerstone product for Soltex, and Susan played a pivotal role in managing our largest Polybutene accounts. She excelled at solidifying long-term trust with our valued customers.
Soltex’s growth journey was not without challenges. Susan and the team recognized the importance of expanding its product offerings beyond Polybutene to ensure long-term success. They focused on performance additives and the dielectric fluids business, adapting to the evolving industry landscape.
Among her many accomplishments, Susan took pride in developing and growing the cable oil/dielectric fluids business. Soltex has become the premier supplier in this field, known for high-quality products, exceptional customer service, reliability, and fair market-based pricing.
Valuable Lessons from Susan’s Career
Susan’s career at Soltex taught her the value of hard work, persistence, and always treating people with respect and kindness. These principles have shaped the culture at Soltex, emphasizing the importance of every team member’s contribution.
Susan witnessed significant changes in technology throughout her career, from the absence of computers and cell phones to the prevalence of emails and Zoom meetings. This has driven home to her and the rest of the Soltex organization the enduring importance of personal contact and face-to-face meetings for maintaining relationships and successful partnerships.
To new employees starting their careers at Soltex, Susan offers valuable advice: listen, find your own style, work hard, be responsive, and always be honest. She highlights the importance of learning from mistakes and understanding that everyone is unique.
The Road to Retirement
As Susan embarks on retirement, she looks forward to spending quality time with her family, traveling, and continuing her work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Additionally, she will remain involved with Soltex as a Board of Advisors member.
Conclusion
Susan’s retirement marks the end of an era at Soltex, but her legacy of dedication, hard work, and kindness will continue to inspire current and future employees. She leaves behind a company that has grown and thrived during her career, and her story serves as a testament to the power of passion and commitment in the workplace. Soltex and its employees will undoubtedly miss Susan, but her influence will continue to shape the company’s culture for years to come. We wish Susan a joyful and fulfilling retirement, knowing that her next adventure will be just as remarkable as her career at Soltex.