Paul Suriel is an Account Representative in Hallandale, FL.
In the competitive world of structural steel sales, where relationships are as crucial as the products themselves, one name stands out as a testament to commitment and success – Paul Suriel. As an Account Representative for Infra-Metals, Paul’s career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, spanning over 28 years.
Paul’s journey began at the City College of New York (CCNY), where he laid the foundation for his future success. Armed with a degree and a determination to excel, he entered the professional arena in the role of Sales Export at Infra-Metals in August 1995. Paul’s journey to Infra-Metals wasn’t a conventional one. Having moved from New York to South Florida in pursuit of an architectural job, he initially signed on with a temp agency. Fate intervened when the company needed someone who could speak Spanish to fill in while the export manager was on vacation. Paul, with his multilingual abilities and background in the New York City Department of Buildings, seamlessly stepped into the role and found himself an integral part of the team.
His years with the NYC Department of Buildings, from 1982 to 1994, gave Paul a unique perspective. Reviewing plans, ensuring compliance with city codes, and overseeing permit filings made him adept in the construction industry’s intricacies. This experience laid the foundation for his transition to structural steel sales, where he found himself at ease with the technical jargon and nomenclature. His early days were a testament to the grit and determination that would become hallmarks of his career. The landscape was different back then – no computers, no databases. Paul learned the ropes by working directly with the Export Manager, undertaking clerical tasks and utilizing the phone as his primary tool. Exporting, in those days, meant more than just shipping steel; it involved sourcing everything a project needed, right down to the toilets.
“I used those green books of all of the different vendors to find what the customer required.”
Infra-Metals recognized Paul’s potential, and the general manager at the time offered him a permanent position. Paul contributed to a case study for adding the Tampa warehouse location, relying on manual methods, and drawing from his previous experiences in NYC. His role expanded to include facilitating and acting as a liaison in the Hallandale office for the Tampa General Manager, making him a key player in the company’s growth.
Career Growth
Today, Paul serves as the lead person for the Hallandale office, handling all property-related issues and serving as the primary point of contact. He emphasizes that, “at Infra-Metals, the focus isn’t just on selling a number but on building relationships and trust.” His dedication to establishing trust as a superior sales technique echoes the sentiment that relationships are the bedrock of success.
Paul handles some of the largest key accounts in Florida, working closely with big fabricators and relishing the challenges that come with major projects. His colleagues highlight his unwavering commitment, always the first to volunteer and the first in line for any task that contributes to the company’s success. Paul is one of the original “Champions” tasked with assisting in a mult-warehouse centralization project that spanned over a year; a massive undertaking to say the least that wouldn’t have been possible without people like him on our team.
Looking ahead, his aspirations involve passing the torch to the younger generation, aiming to leave Infra-Metals in a better state than he found it.
Hobbies
When not busy behind the sales desk, Paul is known for his hobbies – golf, puzzles, and entertaining.
Quotation
“Great sales people are relationship builders who provide value and help their customers win.” – Jeffrey Gitoner
As Paul Suriel continues to navigate the dynamic world of structural steel sales, his story serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals and a testament to the enduring power of dedication, hard work, and a commitment to building lasting relationships.