My goal was never for my daughters to follow in my footsteps, it was for them to have the confidence to create their own path.
Rochelle Demers · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Rochelle
Rochelle Demers is a seasoned sales and account management professional currently serving as a Territory Manager and Global Account Manager at AirBorn Inc. residing in Scottsdale, Arizona. In her current role, she manages one of the company’s largest defense-related customer accounts, focusing on long-term strategic relationships, complex contract negotiations, and sustained business growth. She is recognized for her ability to combine technical sales expertise with strong customer engagement, particularly in high-stakes, highly engineered environments. Her career spans more than a decade in the electronic components and aerospace/defense supply chain industry, with progressive leadership roles across multiple organizations including ODU-USA, Astrex Electronics, Amphenol Aerospace, and Interstate Connecting Components. Across these roles, she has developed expertise in territory sales strategy, distribution channel management, technical product consulting, and regional sales leadership. Her work has consistently involved identifying new business opportunities, driving product adoption, and collaborating closely with engineering and operations teams to meet customer requirements. Rochelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto. Her professional philosophy centers on customer intimacy, trust-building, and continuous learning—principles she developed early in her career when she self-taught technical product knowledge while working in customer service roles. She is also active in professional and community initiatives, including participation in Women in Manufacturing and nonprofit engagement Mother's Grace, in Arizona, reflecting her commitment to mentorship, leadership, and service beyond her corporate responsibilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rochelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I've found that success in electronic manufacturing comes from building trust and solving problems. My role isn't just about selling products—it's about understanding customers' technical and business challenges and bringing together the right people and solutions to help them succeed. I've built my career by being curious, reliable, and always willing to learn.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to believe in your abilities, stay curious, and don't be afraid to take up space. If you're not learning something every day, you're in the wrong job. What's the worst that can happen? They can just say no.
Electronic manufacturing has traditionally been a male-dominated field. Early in my career, I realized that preparation and confidence were essential. Rather than trying to fit a stereotype, I focused on developing technical knowledge and building strong relationships. I've learned that authenticity and expertise are powerful leadership qualities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I hope to show that there's no single path to success in this industry. Whether you're an engineer, a salesperson, a technician, or an executive, your perspective matters. I encourage women to ask questions, take on challenges outside their comfort zone, and never underestimate the value they bring to the table.
Believe in your abilities, stay curious, and don't be afraid to take up space. Find mentors, build a strong network, and remember that your unique perspective is an asset. Success comes from continuous learning, resilience, and supporting others along the way
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in electronic manufacturing right now is innovation. We're seeing incredible advancements driven by aerospace, defense, AI, medical technology, and automation. It's an exciting time to be in this industry because the components and technologies we provide are enabling the next generation of products and solutions.
At the same time, one of our biggest challenges is navigating an increasingly complex global supply chain while meeting customers' expectations for speed, quality, and reliability. Success requires collaboration, adaptability, and strong partnerships across engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
I also believe there's a tremendous opportunity to bring more diverse perspectives into our industry. As technology evolves, we need people with different backgrounds and experiences to solve increasingly complex problems. Diversity isn't just good for company culture—it's good for innovation and business.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are believing in my abilities, staying curious, and having the confidence to take up space. I've built my career by embracing new challenges, asking questions, and trusting that my unique perspective brings value to every organization and team I'm a part of.
To me, being influential isn't about titles or recognition—it's about the impact you have on the people around you. It's about helping customers solve problems, supporting your team, mentoring others, and creating opportunities for those who come after you. I want to leave the electronic manufacturing industry stronger than I found it.
One of the most important lessons I teach my children is that when you do good for others, it has a way of coming back to you. I carry that philosophy into my career by lifting up my colleagues and celebrating their successes. I firmly believe that when we invest in one another and help each other grow, we all succeed. If my team looks good, I look good, and together we create a stronger, more collaborative industry.
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