Companies need many things to thrive in fair times and survive in rough. The beliefs, culture and policies are the roots that are formed over time. People nurture the roots with proper attention to details while maintaining the mission of the company. Naturally, some are better at this than others and then some are just off the charts. To give the best the respect they deserve it shall be that they are never forgotten and their stamp on the company lasts for decades after their retirement.
While Alliance has had many employees since its inception of 1991, many are worthy of mentioning, but only the special are on this page of fame. While work ethic, determination, the drive to get it right, loyalty and the consistency are the major prerequisites, the acid test is:
Can the history of Alliance be written without this person?
Semmie Hudson
Semmie was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Edith and Rev. Albert G. (“AG”) Roberson. She grew up as proverbial preacher’s daughter remembering the lessons from her parents and elders. After school she moved to San Francisco to settle near her some of her relatives. She gained employment as a telephone operator, got married and had a son, Larry. Her husband passed away unexpectedly and she decided to move to Houston to join up with the rest of her family. By then AG had become the pastor of the Little Union Missionary Baptist Church, a title that her son would eventually carry after AG’s passing in 1995.
Upon settling in Houston, Semmie entered into the plumbing industry by working for Whites Nipple Manufacturing which was a division of Seminole Pipe & Tubular. There she learned the art of taking an order over the phone that was 200-300 line items long under five minutes with complete accuracy. It took an ear for detail and laser focus to dictate those orders while the buyer on the other end is talking at warp speed. This was the 1980's version of EDI. She excelled in that position and was then ready for management. In 1983, a position opened up at a sales agency where she met Alliance’s president, Cary Ostera when he was in his late teens.
Their lives took temporary divergent paths, but in 1988, Mr. Ostera was at a different sales agency and Semmie was back at White’s Nipples. The agency was struggling for inside sales talent to anchor its back office and Cary knew the person who could handle the job and called Semmie. After some quick small talk, she playfully scolded Cary and told him how much he was going to pay here and when she can start.
As expected, she anchored down the back office, thus freeing up Cary and the sales team. Sales grew and so did profits. The only thing she could not fix is the mis-management of the agency owner. In 1991, Cary, Semmie and a lead salesman of the agency, Del Stair, decided that they need to leave and form South Texas Sales Company. They changed the name to Alliance Manufacturer Representatives, Inc. in 1998 as they expanded the territory.
Under her watch, Alliance naturally expanded and she managed every detail. She trained all of the office staff, especially the inside sales team. Her professionalism and magic touch won over customers at a scary rate. She was able to take a furious customer that was angry at one of our manufacturers and convert them to a raving fan. She then had to wean customers off her as phone calls stacked up because they only wanted Semmie. This soon dissipated as Semmie brought the team up close to her level.
After twenty-one years of service to Alliance, Semmie decided to retire. She did make brief appearances over a few years to cover for ladies while out on maternity leaves. The impact that she made to Alliance has been immeasurable. She stands as a fine example of not only what a woman can be, but a leader, counselor and a friend.
Del Stair
Born in San Antonio, Del started off his plumbing career as a plumber and worked his way to his journeyman’s license. Soon after, he joined Moore Supply Company in Austin. He started on the counter and worked his way to assistant manager. In 1987, He was approached to replace Harry McGee who was a salesman for a now defunct sales agency. This was Del’s first job working on the road making sales calls. The hiring of Del was bungled because he was working for Moore Supply which was a major customer of the agency. He was hired without permission and the agency received a black eye because of it.
It was there when he met Cary Ostera for the first time. Cary was nailing down the office and Houston area accounts. Del blossomed into one of the best field salesmen of our generation. His plumbing knowledge gave him instant credibility and standing with the contractor base from Austin down to the Rio Grande Valley. The other weapon that Del developed was consistency. He developed various patterns for different regions to where customers could set a watch by him. He only needed to set appointments on off scheduled visits. He was insanely on time every time.
In 1991, Cary and Del launched South Texas Sales Company (renamed to Alliance in 1998) with zero lines and no 100% commitments. Word spread and line by line they came. Semmie Hudson also joined the duo and then the trio cemented the agency. Cary and Del got along famously with them only having one argument. It was month two and Cary secured an interview for a potential line to represent. The appointment was for the next day and that disrupted Del’s route.
Cary asked, “If we have no lines to sell, why prioritize the calls over the interview?” Del replied, “Don’t make my schedule and one reason why we have the interview is because of the customers.” They never had a disagreement after that. Del had no aspirations of administration, he locked down his territory and built one hell of a territory.
Del has a love of blues music, Los Lobos, Willie and country blues. He has spent much time becoming a professional disc golfer. Del eventually retired in 2015 and has settled down on a quiet stretch of land in Rosanky, Texas, with his son Aaron building their compound. Del is missed but thrilled he is enjoying retirement.
Oops!
We're sorry, the page you are looking for could not be found or no longer exists.
Back To Home
Our company is looking for an energetic, motivated, self starter with a passion for design and a love for working with builders. Must have reliable transportation and outside sales experience. Degree in Design or Industrial Distribution preferred, but not required. Must be computer proficient. Plumbing knowledge preferred, but not required. Willing to train the right candidate. This position requires travel throughout Louisiana and Mississippi
Employee Type : Full-Time
Industry : Plumbing Materials
Manages Others : No
Job Type : Sales
Experience : Not Specified
Travel : Up to 50%
Post Date : 10/1/2021
Description
An aggressive representative agency that represents prominent plumbing manufacturers is looking for a self-motivated individual that can thrive in a sales/performance based position in the Baton Rouge, TX area. The candidate will travel throughout Louisiana and Mississippi and call on plumbing wholesalers, showrooms and deal with a wide range of people and companies in order to grow the sales territory.
Once fully trained, you will be required to actively promote the product lines that we represent to our clients, which are comprised of plumbing wholesalers and showrooms. In many cases indirect sales involvement with contractors, designers or engineers will be needed to help promote a given product line. Your territory sales volume will grow due to continued effective daily sales calls on clients.
Requirements
As a Sales Representative you will be responsible for all sales activities, from objective planning with management, execution of plans and various strategies to achieve the objectives. Your duties will include local sales and technical support of all customers with existing business. The ultimate goal will be objective achievement through solid customer support and successful implementation of sales strategies.
Key functions that you are expected to posses and deliver will include:
• To demonstrate technical selling skills and product knowledge in all areas listed above that allows you to give effective presentation.
• Have a complete understanding of pricing, proposal procedures, and execute accordingly.
• Regularly meet sales objectives.
• Demonstrates the ability to carry on a business conversation with business owners and decision makers.
• Maximize all opportunities in the process of closing a sale resulting from acquired new business.
• Develop a database of qualified targets through referrals, networking and face-to-face calling on business owners.
• Works with the Credit Department to establish new accounts.
• Participates in team meetings/conference calls and team goal accomplishments.
• Create and conduct effective proposal presentations to peer group to assist in identifying prospects, problematic sale strategies, and the effects of the problems.
• Responsible for sourcing and developing client relationships and follow-up on leads.
• Demonstrates the ability to gather complete data to allow for efficient processing of a sale.
• Ability to be on-time for appointments, meetings, and/or Company function to support networking processes.
• Adheres to all company policies and procedures.
• Other duties or tasks may be assigned on an as-needed basis
The ability to interact and cooperate with all company employees is critical in allowing the sales team to reach full potential. Most of all build trust, value others, communicate effectively, drive execution, foster innovation, focus on the customer, collaborate with others, make sound sales decisions, and demonstrate high integrity. Furthermore, maintain professional internal and external relationships that meet our core values.
Organizational Relationships:
Reports directly to the President and Vice President of Operations. Coordinates activities with Marketing, Accounting, and Inside Sales/Customer Service.
Qualifications:
- Must hold a BS or sales experience with the plumbing industry.
- Good communication skills
- Fluent in Spanish is a plus
- Working knowledge of computer applications
- Ability to work well with people is essential
- Proficient telephone speaking skills are required
- Competent in assessing customer needs and identifying sales opportunities
- Ability to work independently with solid time-management and organization skills
- Must have a functioning vehicle for travel throughout the region.
The ability to communicate with customers, management, and other co-workers, both individually and in front of a group is crucial. Regular use of the telephone and e-mail for communication is essential.
Work Environment:
The job is performed outside in the field at customer’s places of business. Candidate will have the ability to office from home. The region of responsibility will be the Central Texas. In some cases, visits to job sites will be required.
Compensation:
Sales Representatives salary structures are commissioned based with growth incentives. The position that you will be assuming already has an installed base to grow from.
Job Type: Full-time
Utilizing experienced, sales representatives is an essential part of the manufacturing and wholesale business process. In today’s competitive market, coverage “is” everything to manufacturers who want to promote and sell their current and new products nationally. Manufacturers, large and small, turn to sales representatives to increase their market share and profitability. Because sales representative firms are the point-of-sale between manufacturers and wholesalers, it is imperative that manufacturers utilize the services of seasoned professionals who focus on providing quality service; Alliance Manufacturer Representative, Inc. (Alliance) is that company.
Alliance has been in business since 1991 and was founded by sales representatives who have over 300 years of combined experience as sales representatives within the plumbing industry. Well versed in plumbing products, codes, standards and guidelines, Alliance Sales Agents have been the architect of million-dollar deals between the plumbing and construction industry’s top manufacturers and recognizable wholesalers.
Sales
Alliance currently has Sales Agents in TX, LA, AR, MS, and OK. Alliance Sales Agents are dynamic individuals who focus on using proactive methods to increase product awareness, brand recognition, and product knowledge.
Customer Service
Also known as Inside-Sales, Alliance’s Customer Service team actively assists Sales Agents complete their sales by providing superior customer support. Tasks often include assisting Sales Agents, Contractors, Engineers, Architects, Builders, or Wholesalers directly with product questions, pricing information, shipping, training and support. Alliance’s Customer Service team provides that quality sales support necessary to maintaining business relationships.
Benefits
Communication - the latest IT equipment, online newsletters, video training, conference call forums, call routing capability and newly designed redundancy safeguards to prevent the dreaded fast busy signal. Did you know that Alliance can transfer an inbound phone call to anywhere in the world?
Coverage - continual expansion of our sales agents perform regular, in depth visits to 5,000 (and growing) contacts that are located in TX, LA, AR, MS and OK. Sales Agents consistently participate in both local and national trade shows/ conventions to keep appraised of the latest trends.
Distribution - 20,000+ distribution warehouse for most of our product lines. Strategically located in Dallas to offer will-call services to local, DFW customers, reduce shipping cost and lead times.
Speed - guaranteed quick response to ALL customer requests from Alliance customer service, sales representatives and business support specialists.
Training - constantly provide sales training seminars ranging from the informal personal demonstration to the complete, full-blown professional presentation for larger audiences.
Codes - a proven track record of success with the local code officials and inspectors to secure product acceptance.
Technology - Alliance maintains the most technologically advanced sales force in the plumbing industry. Alliance utilizes a powerful IT network and facilities that enable in-house publishing, data management, powerful fax server, remote file sharing, secure private networks and more.
Advertising - making it easier for Sales Agents to communicate advertising needs, Alliance created an in-house marketing department. Experienced professionals will create advertisements that will increase sales and expand customer base; includes creation of trade show, catalog, product flyers, company brochures, and related marketing material.
Online - with a focus on maintaining a competitive edge, Alliance created an in-house web department that will create, develop, and maintain custom, Intranet and Internet applications that will improve B2C and B2B communications.
Future- our customers can expect even faster response times and improved service.
About Us
Quality service continues to shape Alliance Manufacturer Representatives, Inc.
