CEO Of Baltimore Technology Business Regularly Serves Multiple Roles
Ron Baddock is the president and CEO of Amtek Company, a provider of design and fabrication, engineering and technical training technologies in Maryland, D.C., Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. Baddock received a degree in business with a minor in economics from Towson University. Prior to that, he also attended the University of Maryland, College Park where he completed undergraduate courses, as well as a few business courses.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"Because Amtek is a small business, I wear several different hats. I develop the short-term and long-term growth strategy for the company, set budgets, form strategic partnerships and hire and develop our teams. I also run the day-to-day operations of the company. This includes daily management of all employees in our sales, marketing, support, services and finance departments, as well as overseeing all logistics and operations. One thing that has always been important to me is interfacing with customers. I've worked with some of our customers for more than 20 years! I love to be able to sit down and talk with them about their technology needs and try to figure out how we can help."
What is your favorite part about your daily duties?
"The best part of my job is not knowing what is going to happen or what might be needed from me on any given day. Over the years, I've learned to change course quickly in order to adapt to unexpected situations. Good or bad, it's always exciting. One thing I will never say is that my job is boring. There's something thrilling about that."
How has your education and training prepared you for your current role?
"Even today, I find that I can think back and remember some of the lessons learned in my business courses, be it logistics, economics, marketing or even statistics. While the business world has evolved since I was in school, many of the principles I learned remain true today. It sometimes surprises me. I guess I was paying closer attention in school than I thought!"
What do you do to continue your education and training?
"The technology industry is constantly changing. To be successful, our business has to keep up. Our partner manufacturers offer both sales and product training every year. I take advantage of those opportunities as often as I can."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"Think of your work as a career and not just a job. Your career is a continuum. If you want to be consistently successful, you can't take mental time off for extended periods. It's important to invest in yourself, your education and your personal growth. Work on your professional knowledge and skills every day until it is time for you to retire. Persistence beats talent!"
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.