David Chisolm
Where are you originally from?
Southaven, MS
How long have you worked at A. O. Smith?
It’ll be 7 years in August
What is your current role at A. O. Smith?
Brand Manager – U.S. Wholesale
What accomplishments are you most proud of at AOS?
There are two accomplishments that come to mind: spearheading the rebranding effort for WPC and the impact I have had on improving our new product launch process. What made the re-branding project special was the scale and overall impact of the project. This project was critical towards aligning our company around a core set of attributes and providing a more unified and consistent face to the marketplace.
With the new product launch improvements, I had a key role in taking what was historically an ad hoc approach and turning it into a robust and regimented process. These improvements had a significant impact on our high efficiency product launch we recently implemented.
What do you consider your keys to success? (people or practices at the company that have helped you succeed)
The ability to define goals early, aligning people and resources around those goals; the ability to collaborate with others; having flexibility, but not losing focus.
What do you like best about working here?
I work around good people who share the same set of values I do. It is also nice to work with a group of people who are equally passionate about what they do.
Have you participated in any training or development programs you felt were useful?
DecisionBase (a competitive strategic business simulation) stands out. It provided a broad perspective on the business and how all the moving parts interact and the impact they have on company financials.
What is a little known fact about yourself (that you don’t mind other people knowing)?
I was a member on U.S. National Karate Team and currently hold a 4th degree black belt.
Which of the A. O. Smith Values do you identify most closely with?
I like how the company puts a premium on conducting business ethically. This creates a foundation of trust.