Marc Aleksinas is the business manager at Metal Chem in the Greenville, South Carolina area. Metal Chem develops, manufactures, and services products used in the metal finishing industry, including electroless nickel and wastewater treatment chemicals. An avid soccer fan, Aleksinas played at Vanderbilt University.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
As many have in our industry, I followed my Dad into metal finishing. I started out working summers in the lab for Metal Chem. After working in credit risk for a year, I came back to Metal Chem working in regional sales and business strategy.
What do enjoy best about the industry?
I enjoy the customer and distributor relationships. Each one can develop into a positive-sum game: working together to produce a better product or a better process or developing new applications together.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I love living in Greenville, SC, but it’s always difficult leaving friends. Now that I am 37, I have friends that have moved throughout the US. It would be wonderful if some of them were closer to Greenville.
What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear would not being there for my wife and children.
What is your favorite family vacation?
My favorite family vacation is going with my family to Hilton Head every summer before school starts. The boys love the beach. And, this year is the first year with our 6-month-old daughter.
What would you change about yourself if you could?
I would like to find time to work out more often.
What really makes you angry?
Complacency and lack of work-ethic make me angry. We/I can always improve.
What motivates you to work hard?
Winning has been a motivator since playing soccer at Vanderbilt, and before then. I want to produce the highest quality product and provide the best support to our customers.
What is your favorite thing about your career?
Flexibility and rarely doing the same thing twice has been a blessing. Working on different projects for our customers prevents monotony. The flexibility in working in a small business allows us to pursue projects that are interesting and ultimately rewarding long-term.
What is your biggest complaint about your job?
Working for a small company means proving your ability to your customers and potential customers, which may not be as difficult for larger competitors. We have built a company committed to performance, but it takes time to develop brand recognition.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Becoming a father was an accomplishment like no other.
What is your favorite book?
Atlas Shrugged
What makes you laugh the most?
Puns or Dad jokes
What was the last movie you went to?
James Bond, Spectre
What did you want to be when you were small?
An astronaut or a professional soccer player
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
I would like to be on a beach with my family at this point in my life. If asked 15 years ago, it would be playing with the Arsenal first team for a day!
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
Soccer has always been a passion for me. My Dad, brother and I have gone to the last several World Cups. I hope to continue the tradition after Qatar.
Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car?
I enjoy driving a car, which helps with sales calls.
What would you sing at Karaoke night?
Any Beatles song would be fun to sing and not too difficult.
What would be your last meal?
Steak and mashed potatoes
Who is your favorite author?
Tom Clancy; I enjoy thrillers.
Have you ever had a nickname? What is it?
Twin. Since I have a twin brother, it was easier for some to call us both twin.
Do you like or dislike surprises?
I do like surprises. More often than not they are pleasant.
In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?
Almost every night I am playing with our young sons. I would not change that for anything.
Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? And why?
I enjoy my job, so winning the lottery would just add more security.
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
I would want to be stranded on a deserted island with my wife Abby. We complement each other, but we think differently. So, I believe we would stand a good chance of survival!
Who is your hero?
I am fortunate to be my Mom’s and Dad’s son. Leaving New Jersey to move to South Carolina to build a business and raise two sons had to have been difficult. I appreciate them more the older I get.
