Joe DeGenova is a seasoned sales professional known for his ability to drive growth and build lasting client relationships. Starting his career at Ellwood Quality Steels in New Castle, PA, Joe DeGenova served as a Technical Sales Representative from June 2017 to August 2022. He managed over 15 accounts during his tenure, generating over $50 million in revenue in 2021, with projections reaching $90 million in 2022. He excelled in leading communication efforts from the shop floor to the C-Suite, negotiating long-term agreements, and establishing customer credit through thorough financial reviews.
Before this, Joe DeGenova participated in Ellwood Group Inc.’s Loop Program as a Metallurgist, where he supported seven business units and enhanced his leadership, communication, and technical skills. He completed numerous projects focused on sales support, quality initiatives, and production improvement.
Joe DeGenova’s academic credentials include an MBA with a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, where he led his team to a top 1.5% finish in a global business simulation competition. He also holds a BS in Materials Science and Engineering with a Minor in Business Management from Case Western Reserve University.
Beyond his professional achievements, Joe DeGenova has actively involved himself in professional societies, serving in a variety of leadership roles. Currently, he is the acting General Manager at Big D Print & Logistics LLC in Denton, Texas, where he oversees daily operations.
How do you ensure that Big D Print & Logistics’ mission aligns with the needs and values of the Denton community?
At Big D Print & Logistics, we highly value community engagement. We actively participate in local events, partner with community organizations, and maintain an open line of communication with our customers. We stay attuned to the community’s evolving needs and preferences by regularly gathering feedback through surveys and direct conversations. This information helps us refine our mission and services to ensure we are addressing the specific demands of the Denton area, from essential shipping and logistics solutions to high-quality printing services tailored to local businesses.
Can you provide examples of how Big D Print & Logistics has adapted its services to serve the local community better?
We’ve made several strategic adaptations to enhance value to the community. For instance, we have secure mailbox rentals after recognizing a need among local businesses and residents for reliable mailing addresses. Additionally, we have invested heavily in print production equipment, allowing for expedited turnaround and increased color quality across multiple print mediums. Whether it be printing with specialized gold and silver ink, automated finishing for improved repeat job performance, or hyper-realistic photography prints, we are excited to service your needs. These services support local businesses’ marketing efforts and personal projects, ensuring they can access high-quality printing solutions in Denton. We strengthen our relationship with the community by staying responsive to local needs and enhancing our service offerings.
What strategies do you employ to gather feedback from the community to inform your business practices and services?
We use multiple approaches to gather feedback, including customer surveys, and active engagement on social media platforms. Participating in local events also provides valuable insights directly from community members. We intend to be active in the Denton Chamber of Commerce to support other small business owners as well. This continuous feedback loop allows us to understand the community’s needs and preferences, which we then incorporate into our business practices. By being proactive and attentive, we can adapt our services to meet the community’s evolving demands, ensuring we remain a trusted and valued partner in Denton.
How does Big D Print & Logistics balance its commercial objectives with its commitment to community engagement and support?
Balancing commercial goals with community engagement involves integrating social responsibility into our core business strategy. We seek to participate in community projects and encourage our employees to participate in local initiatives. This benefits the community, enhances our company’s reputation, and fosters customer loyalty. For example, our comprehensive freight services are designed to meet the unique shipping needs of local enterprises, utilizing local sources to best suit the communities’ needs. We create a sustainable model that benefits our company and the community by aligning our commercial objectives with our commitment to community support.
Can you discuss a specific initiative or project where Big D Print & Logistics significantly impacted the Denton community?
One impactful initiative we undertook was providing enhanced printing services to support local educational and business needs. By offering high-quality and reliable printing solutions, we will help local schools and companies achieve their goals, whether it is for educational materials or marketing campaigns. This initiative demonstrated our commitment to supporting the community’s success and growth. Our involvement helped these organizations and reinforced our position as a reliable and supportive partner in Denton, fostering stronger relationships within the community.
How do you involve your employees in community-focused activities, and how does this involvement benefit both the community and your business?
We actively encourage our employees to participate in community events and volunteer programs. This involvement fosters a sense of pride and strengthens our team’s connection to the community. For example, we organize team-building activities involving community service projects, which benefit local causes and enhance employee morale and teamwork. This increased engagement translates into better customer service, as our employees feel more connected and motivated. Additionally, our community involvement helps build a positive company culture, attracting talent and fostering loyalty within our team and among our customers.
How do you measure the success of your community engagement efforts, and what metrics do you use to evaluate their impact?
We measure the success of our community engagement through various metrics, including customer feedback, participation rates in our programs, and the tangible outcomes of our initiatives. The UPS Store network actively monitors our Net Promoter Score by store to ensure satisfaction nationwide. By regularly reviewing these metrics, we can refine our approach and ensure that our community engagement efforts are effective and impactful. This continuous improvement helps us maintain a strong connection with the Denton community.
Can you share a story about a time when Big D Print & Logistics went above and beyond to meet a particular need in the community?
We’ve gone above and beyond to support our community in numerous instances. For example, we will offer special printing services for local events and provide critical shipping solutions during peak times. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to being a reliable and supportive partner. By responding to urgent community needs with efficiency and care, we help our customers and strengthen our reputation as a dependable local business dedicated to the well-being of Denton.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for further integrating Big D Print & Logistics’ mission with the evolving needs of the Denton community?
We plan to launch more community-driven initiatives, such as educational workshops and sustainability programs, to integrate our mission with Denton’s needs. Collaborating with local organizations to identify emerging needs will remain a priority. By continuously evolving our services and staying responsive to community feedback, we aim to remain a valuable and trusted partner. Our goal is to grow our business and contribute positively to the development and success of the Denton community, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
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