By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Future Leaders Network (FLN) has named Derek Acosta, director of sales at Kramer America, as the network's newest spotlight member.
Get to know Acosta in his interview with SEMA News below.
SEMA News: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Derek Acosta: The best advice I haveeen provided with is: "Leaders that grow the fastest are not the ones consuming the most content. They are the ones applying what they learn in real-life scenarios in meetings, company culture and decision-making."
SN: What keeps you in the industry?
DA: The evolution of what is coming next. The job is never done in aftermarket automotive. What the consumer is looking for next is what is going to be the next trend or idea that again will revolutionize this industry we are all in.
SN: Where can you be found on Saturday?
DA: Typically, I will be with my family or on a golf course.
SN: How do you prepare for an important meeting?
DA: I prepare for important meetings by first understanding which leaders will be present and what matters most to them and the organization. I focus on aligning with their priorities and the broader goals of the business. It's about consistently doing what's right for the business above all else. When you operate with that mindset, everything else tends to fall into place naturally.
SN: If you could go to lunch with an industry leader, living or dead, who would it be?
DA: I would really enjoy having lunch with my former vice president at Magnaflow, Larry Norris. Larry is the man who took a chance on me from day one, and that belief had a lasting impact on my career. I'd value the opportunity to reconnect, share the journey I've been on since and hear his perspective and insights one more time.
Fill out an FLN member spotlight form to be eligible to be featured on FLN's social media, SEMA News and FLN member updates.
