Baylor ProSales Alum Advances at OxyChem

Continuing the high performance tradition of Baylor University’s ProSales graduates, Jeb Phillips, a 2012 graduate from Chattanooga, TN was recently promoted to Account Representative at Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem), a leading North American manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, chlorine and caustic soda – key building blocks for a variety of indispensable products such as plastics, pharmaceuticals and water treatment chemicals. Phillips, after only nine months at OxyChem, was handling a sales territory that includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Ontario. With this promotion, Phillips now has higher performance expectations.

For Phillips, this promotion is about his dedication to the organization’s goals and meeting the business challenges. He described it as “recognition for a job well done.”

Phillips commended the ProSales curriculum at Baylor for preparing him to succeed. “Baylor ProSales rivals any corporate training program, but with the added advantage of time. The program taught me the importance of listening, asking questions, handling objections, but most importantly it taught me how to be professional,” said Phillips. “Most college programs fail to teach students etiquette and how to act in their roles once they’ve graduated. I felt prepared to go into the workforce and handle myself in front of people twice my age.”

Phillips’ career at OxyChem started in June 2012 as an Associate Sales Representative in the OxyChem sales development program. In less than two years since being hired by OxyChem, Phillips has made a tremendous impact on the organization. He added six new customer accounts in 2013, resulting in over 25 percent sales growth.

Robert Broomham, Vice President of Sales at OxyChem in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area first met Phillips during a Baylor ProSales recruiting event on campus. “We look for fundamental selling skills, persuasive skills, interpersonal skills and how job candidates handle difficult challenges. Jeb had real strengths in all these areas,” said Broomham.

Describing the value Phillips brings to OxyChem, Broomham said Phillips is exceeding expectations. “Normally it takes a Sales Rep three years to develop to a point where you can consider a promotion,” said Broomham. “Jeb created a unique situation to be promoted within his existing territory. To receive this promotion in such a short period of time is unique.”

Broomham has also been impressed with the Baylor ProSales program overall. “All of the students we’ve had come through OxyChem have been well prepared for a sales role. They possess a strong work ethic and integrity,” said Broomham. “The curriculum, internship opportunities, as well as the sales competitions students compete in do a great job of giving them very good sales fundamentals and preparing them for success in the workplace.”

About the Center for Professional Selling
Dedicated to excellence in sales education and based in the university’s Hankamer School of Business, the Center for Professional Selling is recognized as one of the premier global information resources for the sales profession. For more information on the Center for Professional Selling, visit https://hankamer.baylor.edu/prosales.