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Cortech Engineering LLC
V.P.
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Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Operations
Mike Ash's Bio
Mike Ash is the shop manager of DXP Cortech’s Anaheim branch. His dedication, experience, and mechanical knowledge make him an integral member of our service team.
What Mike Does
Mike oversees the company’s biggest repair and fabrication jobs, whether at the Anaheim shop or out in the field. The most challenging pump system installation, repair, and maintenance projects regularly get assigned to Mike. “The tougher the job, the more I like it,” he said. “Some repairs are best to do on-site, while others need to be brought back to the shop. What I enjoy most is that each project is a new challenge to overcome.”
As a kid, Mike loved to take things apart to see how they worked (though putting them back together was another story). It was a passion that followed him to adulthood. Mike’s interest in the inner workings of machines would lead him to the pump industry, where he discovered a genuine talent for fixing mechanical equipment.
No Challenge Too Big
Mike spent the next 18 years in the oil industry, taking on different roles and countless projects. After nearly two decades in oil, including stints at an Arco pipeline system and a marine terminal, Mike earned a reputation for finding solutions to any problem that arose. A friend who worked for DXP Cortech recommended Mike for a position, and for the last six years he’s brought that same knowledge, passion, and unique talent to our team.
“Working for DXP Cortech has been great,” Mike said. “We provide services that nobody else can offer because we represent so many different pump manufacturers. We have our own foundry at DXP, and can fabricate custom parts quickly and inexpensively. And, we have our own PumpWorks line that offers a wide variety of high-quality products.”
Getting the Job Done Right
Mike understands and appreciates the importance of his role at DXP Cortech, especially when out in the field, working directly with customers. “They see what we can do and they know they can depend on us to get the job done right,” he said. “I like being able to get out there and take on new projects. I get to meet customers, and we serve so many different industries. We work with military bases, municipalities, pharmaceutical companies, oil pipelines and other industries. There’s always a new challenge and always something different to test my mechanical knowledge and skills.”
One of Mike’s favorite projects was installing a pump on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch pad at Edwards Air Force Base. He was fascinated by how the launch system worked, and he couldn’t believe how fortified the protective bunkers were, considering they were built in the 1950s.
“I like what I do,” Mike said. “I like fixing things. There is so much satisfaction in finding unique solutions to complex problems.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
Christian O’Cana's Bio
Meet Christian
Today, we would like to you to meet Christian O’Cana. He is a Sales Engineer based out of our Bakersfield branch. He handles key sales duties by dealing directly with our customers, understanding their needs and solving their equipment problems. Christian has now been with DXP Cortech for 7 years. To see how much he has grown professionally throughout the years has been truly amazing.
Christian spent several years working in restaurants, but knew he wanted to find a more industrial job. His mom recommended that he reach out to his uncle, Marc Sanchez (owner of DXP Cortech), and see what kind of job opportunities there were in our company. Christian certainly paid his dues, starting with doing whatever grunt work was needed around the office. Eventually, he started writing up sales orders for the other Sales Engineers. He proved to be a natural at the sales side of things, and now he’s one of the top Sales Engineers in the company!
Building Character
Christian isn’t afraid to admit that he had some rough times growing up, but ultimately his personal experiences helped shape the man he is today. “It helped me build my character,” he says. “I learned to take things as they come and no matter what, never stop fighting to be better!”
One of Christian’s biggest strengths as a Sales Engineer is his ability to relate to people. He takes the time to listen to customers and understand their needs and frustrations. Then, he sees his role as a problem solver. “I learn all their headaches as an operator, and then I help find them the DXP Cortech Advil that will provide the right relief,” Christian comments.
Positive Energy
Christian clearly brings a great deal of positive energy to everything he does, and he’s every situation as a new learning opportunity. He’ll never forget when he got his first company truck—a beat-up 2005 Ford F-150—and was asked to deliver a pump to a client just a few blocks away from the shop. Because it was such a short drive, Christian didn’t think it would be necessary to tie down the equipment. One step on the brake pedal later and the whole palette slid forward in the bed, sending the pump discharge straight through the back window of the truck. It was an embarrassing moment that he’ll never live down, but Christian definitely learned his lesson. Ever since then, he has kept ratchet straps in his truck at all times.
Fast forward to recently when he took on a major project for Grimway Farms. They needed to reengineer their entire cooling and washing system. 12 pumps needed to be completely overhauled and a whole new system needed to be designed. In just 5 weeks’ time, Christian and the DXP Cortech team had everything ready in time for harvest season.