In the industrial solutions sector, strong relationships often make the difference between a smooth project and costly delays. With complex logistics and high-value equipment at stake, clients look for companies they can trust. That trust comes not only from technical skill but also from genuine connections.
Donald Chavanel, sales estimator and business and development professional at MEI Industrial Solutions, has built his more than three-decade career on that principle. He has become known for treating clients like family and making relationships the core of his work.
A Family Foundation
For Chavanel, family shaped both his values and his career. “Personally, for me, it’s my family. I’m very family-oriented. I come from a tiny town in Louisiana. My family has stood by me for everything and believed in me,” he says.
That support encouraged Chavanel to pursue the trade early on. “Without my mom, my dad, my sister, especially my wife, and my whole family…they stood behind me and backed me 110% and told me to go chase everything I could chase. They believed in me and gave me the courage to believe in myself.”
Learning on the Job
Chavanel began his career at 17, when he joined his father’s office as a summer helper. With no college degree, he chose hands-on experience as his classroom. “I was going to use it as my college, and I was going to focus on it and learn everything I could learn, and that’s how I was able to get where I am,” he explains.
That determination led Chavanel through nearly every role in the field, from rigger and truck driver to crane operator and leadman, before transitioning into sales in 2014.
More Than Transactions
Since beginning his first sales role, Chavanel has focused on building relationships that extend beyond the job site. “From starting in the sales industry in 2014, my relationships with customers have been a very strong bond with everyone,” he says. “We talk on a very personal level. We share pictures. We celebrate holidays, greet each other with ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Birthday.’ It’s not only a work relationship but a deep personal relationship with all my clients.”
This approach has earned Chavanel multiple first-place sales awards and garnered trust across industries, including semiconductors, aviation, and defense. “I treat everybody like family,” he adds.
Adapting to Change
The industrial solutions industry continues to evolve, particularly with growth in semiconductors and data centers. Chavanel has kept pace by offering clients complete service packages that cover warehousing, transportation, and installation.
“The biggest thing that I’ve seen so far that’s changing a lot in the semiconductor world…is getting very big with the technology, the way technology is growing,” Chavanel says.
Looking Forward: Growing Through Authenticity and Connection
Even with decades of success, Chavanel emphasizes authenticity and growth. “There is zero percent phony about me. What you see is absolutely what you get. I’m a very honest and open person,” he explains.
Looking ahead, Chavanel hopes to keep improving and giving back: “Moving forward, I aim to better myself, move up the ladder and learn everything I can learn. I strive to grow as big as I can and do whatever I can.”
Outside of work, Chavanel supports Hunters and Heroes as a fishing guide, runs 5Ks with his daughter, and enjoys hunting and camping at the lake. For Chavanel, relationships, whether with clients, colleagues, or family, remain the top priority.
