Ray Dalton
About this Executive:
Name:
Ray Dalton
Company:
PartsSource Inc.
Interview Topics:
Bioscience and Bioproducts
Region:
Region 9 - Northeast Ohio
When PartsSource outgrew its Northeastern Ohio facility, doubling sales to $100 million in 2007 alone, officials across the country tried to persuade President & CEO Ray Dalton to relocate to their states. No chance. Ernst & Young's 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year had already built and sold six successful companies in California, Oregon, New Jersey and Illinois. But for the last 17 years, he's called Ohio home.
PartsSource is the nation's only multi-manufacturer, multi-modality alternative parts supplier supporting both imaging and biomed parts requests for hospital equipment. PartsSource is committed to providing excellent customer service and superior pricing to every customer each and every day.
Ray's story is fascinating. He grew up poor in L.A., but through faith, confidence and perseverance, he's built an extremely rewarding business career. Still, nothing is more important to him than faith and family. In Ohio, he doesn't have to sacrifice them for business success.
With the office, the city and favorite outdoor activities all within minutes of home, Ray has the ability to do more each day, from running one of the nation's fastest-growing businesses to spending quality time with his grandchildren to directing a not-for-profit international humanitarian organization. Ray has found the perfect balance in Ohio.
Q: What are the top three things that Ohio uniquely offers that you feel have helped make your business successful?
A: The top three things all begin with a P.
Q: How would you characterize the Ohio labor pool?
A: Ohio's labor pool is world-class and readily available. I started PartsSource in January 2001 and we have grown to over 200 employees. We continue to hire and are able to recruit entry and middle level managers at a brisk pace. Ohioans want to work and they want to produce world-class products and services.
Q: The Ohio Promise is that you can achieve professional success within the context of a fulfilling life. Based on your experience, how authentic is the promise?
A: Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance. I have more time with my family and volunteer activities because I don't have to endure a long commute like in other major cities such as New York, Chicago or L.A. The ability to achieve work:life balance in Ohio attracts people to live in the state.
I believe community outreach is a critical component to a healthy corporate environment. Living in Ohio allows me to have the extra time to give back to the community.
For example, PartsSource uses its network to move excess or obsolete medical equipment from the U.S. to India, South American and other impoverished countries where it can dramatically improve the quality of life. In many cases, that equipment is in perfect working order, but the technology is considered outdated for hospitals in the U.S. In other cases, some of the equipment isn't working and PartsSource provides the needed parts to restore functionality. The outdated technology is used to save lives. Other organizations PartsSource actively supports include Mediquip Missions, Global Links, India Gospel League, Samaritan's Purse, Mercy Ships, Assist International and the Akron Pregnancy Center.
Q: What business benefits do you feel your business realizes from having employees who achieve a positive work:life balance?
A: They come to work energized and prepared. The lack of traffic, the peacefulness of the topography, and the closeness of family are all important. In addition, only in Ohio have I seen the closeness of multiple generations of families that stay together. Many of the other business areas I have experienced are transient and lack the glue that binds work ethic and family.
Q: Thinking of people you know, share a story of somebody in Ohio who, in your opinion, has excelled in achieving both their professional and personal aspirations?
A: I hired an engineer who runs the technical side of our business. Since coming to the company, he has been able to expand his role as a lay pastor. In addition, he is a major contributor to the community and is improving the quality of life for people in Ohio through mission trips as far away as India. The State of Perfect Balance is real for this employee, and I am proud to have brought him here.
Q: People need to be comfortable that relocating their family to Ohio is a good thing. What should executives and their families consider when evaluating Ohio?
A: Coming to Ohio provided me the ability to get off the treadmill and enjoy both my life and my faith. I became a scoutmaster and am very involved in raising my three boys. The business environment and low cost of living in this area contributed to my success. In other locations where I've lived, like Los Angeles and Chicago, I would never have had the time. Being in Ohio has made a personal impact on the life of my sons and my grandchildren. Because of the quality of life here in Ohio, I have regained my life.
Learn more about Ray's journey by reading his book, Proceed With Confidence.