Dave DeRonne

Dave DeRonne
Director of Sales
Continental

Dave DeRonne has had a diverse career that spans engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and sales. Since joining Continental in 2006, Dave has had the opportunity to work in two primary functional areas within the company. He spent the first 12 years in various leadership roles within the procurement organization, where he led cross-cultural teams and gained valuable experience working in Europe. In 2018, Dave transitioned to the tire sales organization, where he first led the sales programs, analytics, and planning team before moving into key account management. Since 2023, he has been responsible for leading the retail sales channel in the US market, managing a team of key account managers and field sales associates.

As a sales leader, Dave’s primary focus is on developing his team and empowering them to become the best versions of themselves. He is responsible for creating sales strategies in collaboration with Continental leadership, always emphasizing a close partnership with his team and customers. His role is dynamic, with approximately half of his time spent working with his team on specific customer topics, 25% spent directly engaging with customers, and the remainder dedicated to leadership initiatives within the company.

Dave graduated from Michigan State University, where he earned a BS in Packaging Engineering. He also holds an MS in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University. Throughout his career, Dave has taken part in ongoing education, including programs at the London Business School and Hult Ashridge Business School.

Beyond his professional success, Dave takes pride in the international experiences he’s had, both personally and professionally. Having lived and worked outside of the US, Dave believes these experiences have broadened his and his family’s worldview, particularly for his three daughters. These global opportunities have been instrumental in shaping both his career and family life.

Dave is also deeply committed to community involvement. Continental encourages volunteer work, and Dave’s team actively participates in quarterly service projects, including Ronald McDonald House, Second Harvest Food Bank, Light the Night, and Anne Springs Greenway. These volunteer activities foster a sense of purpose and connectedness within his team while making a positive impact on the community.

When reflecting on his career, Dave emphasizes the importance of culture fit when choosing a job. He believes that selecting the right organization is more significant than the specific role, as the first job after college is only the beginning of one’s career journey.