Alumni Spotlight: Rodrigo René Robles, Techtronic Industries - TTI

Feb. 22, 2024
Man in red shirt standing in front of a neon Milwaukee sign.

Eller alumni Rodrigo René Robles '22 (Business Management) is a Field Sales and Marketing Representative at Techtronic Industries - TTI in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Tell us about your job responsibilities (day-to-day and/or projects)

  • Deliver the top-notch sales and service to customers, showcasing expertise and passion for TTI's product range, including Milwaukee, RYOBI, RIDGID, Empire, Hoover, etc
  • Foster strong connections by consistently engaging with store associates and management
  • Acquire in-depth knowledge of the market landscape, encompassing users, applications, products, competition, and channels in which it will facilitate an effective market analysis.

Why did you choose to work for your company?

I chose this company because most of the people that work in TTI with me are U of A alumni. The first person that I recognized was Melissa Robles. She was a mentor to me during my freshman year and she had the opportunity to present alongside the recruiter, Olivia Chupp, about what TTI is during an ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) meeting. Shout out to these amazing legends, Jerry Buelna, Michael Clepper, Abril Castro, Jesus Valenzuela, Josh Saavedra, Noah Griswold, and Dora Guzman, who are U of A alumni’s, representing TTI.

What do you enjoy most about your job or company?

What I really enjoy about working with the TTI is the work culture. It's all about having a great team that are self-motivated, team players, who have strong organizational, planning and time management skills, and a great manager that likes to help his representatives be successful in their career path. His name is Wade Thoelen.

Please share what led you to your current job/company (past experiences, networking, classes, multiple rounds of interviews, or anything you deem relevant)

It all started when I was looking for another opportunity whether it was in Tucson or in Phoenix, Arizona. I saw a LinkedIn post about the position that I'm working in right now and it turns out it was the same recruiter that posted it. It was good to reconnect with Olivia Chupp and I'm very grateful for her for helping me start my chapter with TTI. Of course, there were three interviews and the last two interviews were in Microsoft Teams. The first-round interview was in-person with a Territory Manager called Michael Clepper, the second interview was the Director of Sales, Gabe Ihrig, and lastly, the Senior VIP of Field Sales Western Division, Dan Abbott.

What advice do you have for Eller students seeking a similar career path?

My biggest advice I would give was actually from an amazing person that told me during my last year as an undergraduate student, "It's not the people that you know, it's the people that know you!" In other words, you must establish a relationship by being friendly to everyone which includes your colleagues, friends from college, friends from high school and your mentors. Always show genuine interest in other people and make them feel important in any profession. That's how I started my U of A journey by being involved in amazing organizations which were Eller Hispanic Honorary (EHH), Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA) at Eller and Associated Student of the University of Arizona (ASUA).

Please share an Eller memory.

There were great memories at Eller, if I am being honest! But the one that stands out the most from my memories would be working with a great team when I was in my first semester in Eller. Shout out to Alex Russell, Tyler Renaud, Justice Craig, Carlos Iruretagoyena, and Grace Marchosky! I hope they are doing amazing on their own career paths and everything is going well!

BEAR DOWN, VIVA LOS GATOS!