Derrel Isler – Living the Dream

A career in sales is not for everyone. Those that are successful exhibit a number of similar traits that make them effective in their chosen profession: work ethic, people skills, knowledge of product, an ability to read the room and put people at ease, to name a few.

If that’s the case, Wheeling native and Longwood, Fla., resident Derrel Isler was, to borrow a cliche, born for this position. In fairness, Isler was born for a number of different career options. He’s a rare combination of a person whose high level of intelligence is matched by both his work ethic and ease with dealing with all types of people.

Affectionately referred to as “Big D” by friends and colleagues alike, Isler grew up on Bow Street in Wheeling along with his parents and brother. He finished in the Top 15 of his class at Wheeling Park High, was a Summa Cum Laude Honors College graduate in electrical engineering from WVU, and the owner of an MBA from Charleston Southern University. He’s also a U.S. Navy Veteran.

The Move Around

He’s lived in South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina and now Florida since leaving the Ohio Valley, working his way up the ladder wherever he went. But when Big D took a position with Dell in 2007, then his stock, and financial portfolio, really started to expand, as did his family. He married, had three loving children, and did his best to find that work-life balance between Sales Engineer and father and husband.

Isler battled through the hardships of divorce, but he and his ex-wife found common ground in co-parenting their three children, and both are stronger for it. When he’s not in Dad mode, Big D enjoys the fruits of his labor. He’s a man who enjoys the finer things in life, but doesn’t flaunt it and hasn’t allowed his success to go to his head. He’s still the same smiling, easy-going guy he’s always been.

Such a personality warrants a large friend list, and Isler keeps in touch with them all. He has an active presence on social media, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or the (Insta)Gram. He engages his friends in thought-provoking questions, humorous queries, and it’s not uncommon to see him posting a photo, feet propped up on a lounger near his home’s in-ground pool, cigar in hand, just enjoying the day. He’s the perfect example of a home-grown success story that’s never forgotten his roots and doesn’t hesitate to return home to catch up with family and friends.

After graduating from WVU with honors to enlisting in the U.S. Navy, was that part of the plan, or did you consider going into the service first and then college?

I finished my second year at WVU, and I never thought of going into the service. But I kept receiving emails from recruiters promising all these great things if I joined. I knew I had options after college, so why did I need to consider the military? Finally, I saw a flyer in the dining hall that made me say, ‘Okay, let me see what the catch is.’ The catch was I HAD to finish one of my majors in two years (I wanted electrical and computer engineering, which would have taken me another three years). If I passed all of the interviews, the fitness test, and the background check, I would be made active duty immediately. I did all that and became an E-7, or Chief, in the Navy at 20 with zero experience. I was originally supposed to be a submariner, but during my senior year I asked to switch to become an instructor at the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, S.C. After I was graduated from college, I received my commission and went off to Officer Indoctrination School in Rhode Island; I then moved to Charleston. Joining the Navy is one of the best decisions I ever made because I learned so much from that experience.

You’ve experienced success at every level and in multiple sectors, and overcome life throwing you a few curve balls. Where did that sense of drive and work ethic come from, and do you credit that and anything else for helping you push through the tough times?

Where did I learn to hustle hard? My father. He still is a hard working-man to this day. Seeing him work so hard and grind for our family is where I get my work ethic from.

You were always willing to put in the work to climb the ladder. How did that attitude or focus change or shift any, upon the birth of your daughters and finally your son?

I strive for balance and to ensure my family is taken care of. When I don’t have my kids, I make up for it by traveling to visit customers, staying in the office a few extra hours, and I’m always willing to jump on extra tasks that need done. What drives me is my desire to give my kids a better life than I had. I had a great childhood and my parents busted their tails to provide for me and my brother. I want to do the same for my kids.

Divorce is never easy, but you’re balancing a successful career and still spending a good bit of time with your children. How difficult is it to make that work, and what allows you to do so?

Well, I say it first starts with the woman I co-parent with, my baby momma. In all seriousness, I could not have the focus I need to at work if she didn’t consistently hold it down when she has the kids. When I have the kids (40-60 arrangement), I go into Dad mode. I do not have any family around, so I am on point for school drop-off, pick-up, homework, after school activities, you name it. It is a lot to juggle at times, but I have coworkers and an employer that values work-life balance. But how did I/do I get through hard times? Many bottles of scotch, good music, and amazing friends! I had the luck and pleasure of meeting a friend in Orlando that is also from the Ohio Valley. We immediately connected by reminiscing about DiCarlo’s Pizza, Coleman’s Fish Market, and all of the things that make “home” amazing. She’s been a big part of helping me cope with some of my harder times down here. I owe a lot to her.

Finally, your job could provide even greater financial reward if you were able to significantly increase your travel availability, spend more time on the road. Do you ever regret having to dial it back, or have you struck the perfect balance? Also, how cooperative was the company in allowing you to do so, given your success rate?

As far as climbing the ladder goes, I had the desire to get into management. That was pre-divorce. After the divorce, I put that on hold in order to focus on raising my kids and maintaining my sanity. I still don’t think that management is for me, but I can see myself taking on more global responsibility in my current role. Once I am an empty-nester, my passport is going to get a lot of use! I love what I do, so I really didn’t “sacrifice” much there. I am lucky enough to wake up every day eager to go to work and help my customers.