Her Story
About Maria
Maria Dutton is a seasoned commercial account executive at Johnson Controls, where she has built a career spanning more than 13 years. Based in Burbank, California, she began her tenure with the company in March 2013 and transitioned into the security solutions industry after previously working in renewable energy. Despite entering the field without prior security-industry experience, Maria developed extensive expertise and established herself as a trusted advisor to her commercial clients.
In her role, Maria focuses on sales, new account management, and customer relationship development. Her responsibilities include meeting with customers, assessing their needs, developing customized security proposals, managing billing and multi-location accounts, and responding to client inquiries. She also brings strong skills in cold calling and account development, with an emphasis on building long-term, trust-based relationships while delivering security solutions tailored to each customer's requirements. Maria holds a degree in Business Management, which she completed in 1998.
Beyond her professional work, Maria demonstrates a commitment to supporting charitable organizations, including St. Jude and Wounded Warriors. Her career reflects a combination of business knowledge, sales expertise, customer service, and relationship-building skills. Through her long-standing position at Johnson Controls, she continues to help commercial customers address their security needs while maintaining strong and lasting client partnerships.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my educational background in business management, which has provided me with the knowledge and skills to navigate challenges and make informed decisions throughout my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to be confident in everything I do. I believe in presenting myself professionally, being fully present with customers, and understanding what I offer so I can communicate its value with confidence.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to build meaningful relationships before you need them. Earn trust by investing in genuine connections with customers, partners, and colleagues rather than focusing only on transactions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is securing approval for budgets, while a key opportunity is building strong customer relationships. Creating trust and making customers feel comfortable helps strengthen partnerships and supports long-term growth.
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