Rising Stars: Meet Rod White

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rod White. 

Hi Rod, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
How I became involved in the medical device industry is a very unique story. In response to the COVID pandemic, my company was forced to lay off over 3,000 employees. As a result of being furloughed from my role as Business Development Manager, I found myself without a job. During this period, no one was hiring in my area, and it began to look quite grim. Therefore, I had to find a job to make ends meet. Despite applying for job after job in my market, I am still unemployed. So, I began applying for jobs outside of my market, and, eventually, I was able to find employment with Envoy, a regional American airline carrier at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. After making weekly trips back and forth from Memphis to Dallas for approximately five months, unbeknownst to me, my dreams of becoming a medical device representative would soon become reality during a shuttle ride from the airport to my hotel. 

During this shuttle ride, I will be traveling with some well-dressed and well-spoken individuals. With my 10 years of sales experience, I immediately recognized that these guys were sales professionals. Naturally, I got into conversation with the group and learned they were in the medical device industry. I began telling my story about my previous sales experience, my failed attempts to obtain employment in the medical device industry, and how medical device sales was my ultimate dream job, just as the shuttle pulled up to the hotel. Unexpectedly, one of the men glanced at his phone as we made our way out of the shuttle. As we made our way out of the shuttle, he noted that they had gotten on the wrong shuttle. In the midst of our laughter outside the hotel, Patrick Hertel, the Vice President of Sales, reached into the interior of his jacket pocket and removed his business card. Patrick’s words will remain in my memory for the remainder of my life. As he handed me his business card, he said, “Rodney, please contact me. I am always seeking to add talented sales representatives to my team. They boarded the shuttle for the return trip to the airport. 

About a month had passed since I first engaged with the medical device group and subsequently obtained Patrick’s card when I realized I needed to communicate with Patrick. It took me 3+ days to locate the card, which was unexpected. Immediately upon finding the card, I began researching the company. Upon researching the company’s website, I was able to gain a more in-depth understanding of their product portfolio and gain a better understanding of their target market. As a next step, I identified hospitals in my territory that would fit within their target audience. After compiling my findings, I made contact with Patrick in order to share my findings with him. Following our initial connection, during which we discussed the results of my research, I asked Patrick if he had any members of his team in my area. In learning that there was no local presence in my market, I asked for the opportunity. Patrick discussed the position with me and asked me to submit my resume. Within a few days, Patrick contacted me again, this time inviting me to interview for a territory manager position. Then, I would interview Partick and Nishith Chasmawala, the company’s CEO. Through my efforts, I was offered the position of Territory Manager for Consure Medical. Partick and Nish made my dream a reality, and I am very thankful for them. In spite of this, I am even more thankful that Patrick and the guys got on the wrong hotel shuttle. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Penetrating the medical device industry is not for the faint, especially without experience. My journey took about 5 years before I was able to secure employment. During that 5-year stretch, I submitted application after application, had countless interviews, hired resume writers, obtained my MBA, obtained mentors, attended workshops and conferences, etc. Despite all my efforts, there were still no offers. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Following a five-year journey, I am now working as Territory Manager for Consure Medical. In this role, I specialize in solving clinical needs with a compassionate approach to improve clinical outcomes, reduce the cost of care, and expand coverage of use through the promotion and sale of Consure Medical Incontinence Products: Qora, QoraMatic, QiVi MEC, QiVi FEC, and QiVi Lite. 

My gregarious nature has led me to align clients’ goals and objectives with business growth initiatives to create a mutually beneficial relationship that results in client satisfaction and business targets achievement. With a strong commitment to delivering results, I am a driven problem-solver who offers personal as well as professional guidance to all those with whom I come into contact in their personal and/or professional endeavors. 

In my opinion, this is what sets me apart from others. I am naturally inclined to serve others. In this respect, I am most proud of myself. In the words of Gandi, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 

Any big plans?
A major part of my future plans involves becoming a full-time medical device distributor. My objective is to create jobs for my community and to provide employment opportunities for individuals who seek to earn a living in the medical device industry, in the same way, that Patrick Hertel and Nishith Chasmawala provide opportunities for me. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.consuremedical.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consuremedical
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConsureMedicalInc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/consuremedical
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/Wn1JLVfZhuI