Describe Tipco Technologies' business. What's your geographic coverage? We are a distributor of industrial hose and accessories. Our geographic coverage is Maryland and Virginia, primarily.

As someone who handles operations for the company, what are the greatest business challenges you're facing these days? The greatest business challenge we face is finding good talented young people who want to work and who show up to work. You always need to be looking for minors to hit in the major leagues. … We also face a challenge in our benefits program with regard to medical and dental plans. Being small has its challenges when it comes to getting the best for your money.

What's the best idea your company has implemented in the last six months?The best idea we have implemented is a new health program, it's called HSA—Health Savings Account. It's an account that will hopefully grow for our employees and roll over from year to year. I'm sure the employees that did not enroll in the HSA this year will probably enroll next time around. Hopefully, the employees in it now will let them know it's a good program.

What role does technology play on your side of the business? Have you implemented any new tools or programs recently? We are in the midst of updating our phone system and looking to replace a lot of computers. We were busy the last two years opening two new branches and moving two of our existing branches, so unfortunately technology got put on the back burner for two years. I am feeling it now!

Finding and keeping good employees is a key challenge facing the industry. How is Tipco addressing this issue? You are correct, finding good employees is a key challenge. We're always hopeful that the dedicated employees we have will help us recruit some good people to join our team. That's how we primarily hire people—referrals from people within the company.

On a personal note, how did you get into the distribution business? My dad [Bob Lyons, an industry veteran and former owner of Tipco]. Believe me, I never thought I'd be in the hose business. Growing up, never did I imagine being in hose. However, it's a very neat market and very unusual. I actually like it!

Would you recommend a career in industrial distribution to younger people entering the workforce? Why or why not? It depends on their background. If someone is coming out of IT and they're looking for a change, then probably not. If someone is coming from refrigeration or other sources of products that are needed for use on machines, etc., then I would recommend our industry. We have lots to teach and lots to learn.

Finally, if you could have any other job, what would it be? I know this sounds silly, but I love the warm weather and golf. I would love to have the job of a beverage cart driver on a golf course somewhere in South Florida. Just something fun! Not that selling hose isn't fun, but that's what I would love to do.

Terri David is operations manager for Tipco Technologies, a hose and accessories distributor based in Owings Mills, Md., www.tipcotech.com . She can be reached at terrid@tipcotec.com.