Gary Richards
Account Executive
Define your role within Nemko.
I’m Nemko’s Account Executive here in the Southeast United States. My focus is RF, EMC, Safety, International Approvals, and Field Evaluations.
How did you choose this career path?
I started in the industry at a small laboratory just North of Tampa working in their Sales and Marketing Department. With the harmonization of the European Union and the implementation of the CE Marking, the lab grew overnight so much that they needed a second salesperson and marketing support, so I was brought into the industry that way.
What do you enjoy most about your job at Nemko?
There are many things, but the main thing is the idea that we are helping to make the world a safer place and helping companies get their products to market. Also, it's exciting that we get to see so many new products and new technologies before they come to market.
Are there any challenges that you’ve faced during your career that have taught you important lessons?
All kinds of stuff, there is only so much as a company and as an individual that you can do and only so many services that we have to offer, and sometimes you don’t always have the perfect solution for your customer. So, you have to be flexible and try to keep it customer-focused, and even if you have to recommend a competitor or something, it is worth keeping the customers happy and focusing on the customer needs.
What do you think the industry will look like in 20 years?
Well, I’ll probably be retired and sitting on the beach somewhere, but the industry will be much more harmonious regarding standards. With consolidation and the size of the company, there will probably be a lot of more prominent players, but the standards will standardize globally, so it will be easier to sell your product.
What do you find most rewarding about your role?
I really love working in this industry and for Nemko in particular. I just try to keep everything customer-focused. Anytime I can help a customer get their product to market faster and help them improve their bottom line, it is rewarding.
What are some market trends you’re keeping an eye on?
Covid has been challenging the last few years, so we’ve tried to focus on understanding how the supply chain issues affect our customers and their businesses. Technology is constantly evolving, so keeping an eye on which new wireless technologies are coming out and how that will affect our customers and their testing requirements, is important. We also see international markets becoming hot. There are always a few countries every year that seem to be in demand, like India, China, or Brazil.
When not working, how do you spend your spare time?
I’m fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world here in Tampa, FL, which allows me to spend all of my time outdoors. I like to garden, and I’m vegan, so I eat and grow a ton of kale and lots of other vegetables in the garden. I spend a lot of time at Disney World and at the beach with my family.
