Focus On: John Shine
Samtec CEO John Shine says, “For a 21^st century globally seamless company, ‘traditional management’ matters less and less. It’s mainly about the right culture running on top of the right systems and processes, by the right people.” This is a culture unlike any other in the business—and clearly, it works.

Carrying on in the tradition of the company founder Sam (a real tiger of a guy!), John Shine and the Samtec team have developed a global company that is built, from the ground up, around serving the customer. “The goal is short lead times and quick delivery of a high quality product. Samtec does it all the time, everyday, without missing a beat," says Ron Bishop, Bishop and Associates.

“Every employee is in on the action. There are no gatekeepers. For example, if you call the Samtec receptionist and ask for anyone at the company, you will be put through to them immediately. You will not be asked your name or why you are calling. If the person doesn’t pick up the phone, you’ll then be asked if you would like to have him or her paged—I’m not kidding. Can you think of another large—or small—company that treats its customers with such respect? I can’t.”

Name: John Shine
Company location: New Albany, Indiana (the center of the electronics universe…)
Current position: CEO
Previous industry positions: Everything from sales and marketing to manufacturing to cutting the grass.
Industry affiliations or organizations: I have a wife, two kids, six dogs, some fish, and a “small” connector company—who’s got time for more meetings?
Accomplishments you’re proud of: Samtec company accomplishments: For the last 20 years, we’ve averaged a growth rate twice that of the overall industry, with zero acquisitions; and we’ve received 12 consecutive Bishop Awards for #1 rated company (’97 to ‘09).
Favorite website: Does iTunes count in this context?
The last book I read: You mean actually to the end? Call of the Far Side, by Gary Larson. While it’s tough to sit down and fully read a book, occasionally I’ll try and find something about an individual who pursued a really unique path. We all get enough of the “standard industry paradigms” to deal with every day, so it’s interesting to find ways to step out of that.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have: Done it sooner.
The best advice anyone ever gave me was: “Don’t ever miss another LBO payment!” That had a way of creating amazing clarity, focus, and appreciation for cash flow. That aside, it’s hard to go wrong with “do unto others as you’d have others do unto you.”
What trend in the industry is affecting your job and what would you like to do about it? The need for higher bandwidth and signal integrity. We’ll therefore keep developing and selling more SI interconnects.