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Derek DeGeest
President at DeGeest Corporation & LestaUSA Self-Learning Painting & Finishing Robots
Professional Background
Derek DeGeest stands out as a dynamic force in the manufacturing industry, currently serving as the President of LestaUSA and the third-generation leader of DeGeest Corporation. His role has positioned him at the forefront of technological innovation within the sector. Under Derek's watchful eye, DeGeest Corporation has embraced cutting-edge advancements in software development, data analytics, and robotics, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining its status as a leader in manufacturing solutions. Since its inception in 1976, the company has consistently provided value across three service sectors—Steel Works, Finishing, and Automation—solving critical challenges faced by manufacturers throughout North America.
Derek's entrepreneurial spirit is vividly displayed in his strategic partnership with Lesta SRL, an Italy-based company known for its self-learning painting and finishing robots. This partnership allows DeGeest Corporation to operate as the North American distributor, integrator, and manufacturer for Lesta SRL, offering advanced innovations to businesses looking to modernize their finishing processes. This venture not only enhances DeGeest’s product offerings but also reflects Derek’s keen understanding of market needs within the manufacturing space.
Education and Achievements
Derek DeGeest's educational journey includes studying for a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Sioux Falls, demonstrating his commitment to personal growth and professional development. He also furthered his education at South Dakota State University, where he honed the essential skills required to navigate the complexities of the manufacturing landscape. His academic background laid a solid foundation for his career, fostering the innovative thinking that has become synonymous with his leadership style.
An active community member, Derek champions the cause of educating and empowering the next generation of manufacturing professionals. He collaborates closely with local technical colleges, high schools, and middle schools to inspire students to pursue rewarding careers in manufacturing. His commitment to community involvement exemplifies his belief that proactive engagement leads to stronger industries and communities.
One of Derek's notable achievements arrived in 2019 when he was honored in Washington D.C. as the Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year for South Dakota. This prestigious accolade recognizes not only his success in business but also his influence and contribution to the broader economic landscape.
Advocacy and Industry Thought Leadership
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Derek serves as a thought leader within the manufacturing sector. He produces a podcast titled "Manufacturing a Stronger Standard," which addresses pressing industry questions related to automation and robotics. This platform allows him to share insights and foster discussions that aim to improve operational efficiency across the sector. Through the podcast, Derek successfully communicates that manufacturing is not just about machinery; it is about people and the collaborative spirit that drives innovation.
Derek's philosophy that "a rising tide lifts all boats" encapsulates his approach to leadership and innovation. His work focuses on creating an environment where manufacturers, workers, and communities can thrive together. By prioritizing collaboration and knowledge-sharing, he envisions a future where all stakeholders in the manufacturing industry can achieve comprehensive success.
From his groundbreaking work at DeGeest Corporation to his advocacy for the manufacturing industry and education, Derek DeGeest’s journey illustrates a profound impact on the field. He is passionate about pushing boundaries and ensuring that manufacturing in the USA remains robust and innovative for generations to come.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay is designed for anyone who values maintaining meaningful relationships. The app is popular among a wide range of industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. It’s even used by half the Fortune 500! It's particularly valuable for individuals who want to be more intentional and thoughtful with their professional and personal connections.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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