RISING STARS: Codi Sinkovitz

Codi Sinkovitz
Director of Operations
South Atlantic Components Sales

To gain better insight into how early career professionals in the electronics industry have turned challenges into opportunities to ensure continued growth, The Representor interviewed Codi Sinkovitz, Director of Operations at South Atlantic Components Sales (SACS).

After a career in banking, Sinkovitz shared how this industry found her, by offering challenge and growth as well as flexibility and support.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself, personally and professionally.

I have been married to my husband for 15 years, and we have three active boys who keep life very busy and fun! We love calling South Carolina home and being part of such a great community. Most of our free time is spent at the ice rink or on the baseball, soccer or lacrosse fields cheering on our kids. I stay involved through our school’s PTO and our local church, and I enjoy finding opportunities to give back. Before joining the electronics industry, I spent 10 years in banking specializing in trade settlement. After having our third son, I was looking for a new challenge that allowed me to use my strengths while also giving me the flexibility to work from home.

How long have you worked in the electronics industry?

I have been in the electronics industry for almost six years. Starting in 2020 was an interesting time to begin a new role, and it really reinforced the importance of being adaptable and building strong relationships.

What made you choose this industry as your current career path?

I did not necessarily choose this industry — in many ways, the industry chose me. When I was considering going back to work after having our third child, I did not have a specific path in mind. Soon after, an opportunity to join SACS presented itself. After my initial conversations with SACS, it quickly became clear that this role and this industry offered the type of challenge and growth I was looking for, and it has proven to be a very great fit.

What are some of the main challenges you have encountered as you embark on your career journey?

Since I came from a different industry, one of the biggest challenges was learning the technology, terminology and how everything worked. It was a big learning curve, but it gave me the opportunity to be challenged and continue growing.

What steps have you taken to overcome these challenges and ensure that you can establish and nurture a successful career?

I focused on learning as much as possible, asking questions and building relationships with my experienced colleagues at SACS. Trainings, events and networking opportunities helped me gain confidence and feel more comfortable over time.

What are some training tools or networking/ industry events that you have found beneficial to your professional growth?

Participating in ERA events and trainings like COLT and the ERA Conference has been a great way to learn from industry leaders and build meaningful connections. I have also learned a lot from experienced coworkers across sales, operations and HR, which has helped me better understand how the business works as a whole. Understanding how everything connects at SACS has helped me see the bigger picture and build a strong foundation moving forward.

Do you think that there is enough new talent entering the electronics industry? What could make this field more attractive to young professionals?

I don’t think enough people realize how many opportunities exist in the electronics industry. Greater exposure through internships, mentorships and college partnerships could help attract new talent, especially by highlighting the industry’s role in emerging technologies and the impact it has across so many markets.

Where do you see your profession and the industry 10 to 20 years from now?

I believe the electronics industry will continue to be a major driver of innovation over the next 10 to 20 years as new technologies continue to shape the market. As things evolve, our success will rely on collaboration, problem solving and helping customers navigate change.

Professionally, what keeps you up at night?

Luckily, I generally sleep well! In all seriousness, in a fast-changing industry, I am always thinking about how to stay ahead of new technology and market shifts so I can continue providing value to our customers, partners and SACS. With advancements happening so quickly, continuous learning is very important. I also focus on cross-training and collaboration to help ensure SACS stays aligned and ready to support our customers now and in the future.