Tina Darnell, Chardon Custom Polymers | Women Breaking the Mold 2024

With 26 years in the rubber industry, Tina Darnell has been involved in aerospace, custom mixing, tires and automotive, with roles ranging from working as a chemist in manufacturing to R&D, processing and sales.

Darnell said her career path into the rubber industry was "non-conventional," noting a tough job market eventually led her to the industry.

While working in surgery for a local veterinarian, as she studied for graduate school, a former high school colleague helped her land a job in the lab of Oliver Rubber, a division of Standard Products, in her hometown, Asheboro, N.C.

Within the first year of her career, Cooper Tire purchased Standard Products, she said, which led her to more opportunities within the industry. After this, she relocated to Auburn, Ind., as an R&D chemist for NVH.

Today, Darnell works as sales director at Chardon, Ohio-based compounder Chardon Custom Polymers, where she has worked the past two years.

She has received her bachelor's degree from Pfeiffer University, her master's from Indiana Wesleyan University and her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Kent State University.

Throughout her career, she also has been an active volunteer throughout the Rubber Division and local rubber groups. This includes serving on the Fort Wayne Rubber and Plastics Group Board; Ohio Rubber Group as Technical Program chair, Membership, Scholarship co-chair and area director; and board member of the Rubber Division Steering and Executive Committee.

Currently, Darnell serves the Rubber Division's Executive Committee as secretary and is on track for chair succession in 2028.

When she's not working or volunteering her time to the Rubber Division, Darnell gives back to her community.

Darnell honors and supports veterans through the Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion posts (Nos. 4738 and 175, respectively). She also serves on the board of the American Legion Auxiliary.

"My husband and father are both veterans, and we have extended family that are active military," Darnell said. "It is important to me and my family that veterans are recognized for their sacrifices and have access to resources that they earned while serving.

"The VFW and AL are non-profit veteran service organizations that foster camaraderie and patriotism, with a mission to serve our veterans, the military and our communities."

With the American Legion Auxiliary, Darnell serves as chaplain, a non-denomination role that "supports physical and spiritual needs of the auxiliary."

But her volunteering goes back further than this. Over 20 years ago, Darnell volunteered as a Big Sister for the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program for a local school in Indiana—a program through which she has maintained a friendship ever since.

Darnell's involvement with this program started with a Lunch Buddy program one of her previous employers supported, where volunteers visited with a lunch buddy for one hour each week at a local school.

Volunteers were matched with their respective buddies through a survey run by teachers and counselors, and at the end of the school year, the volunteers and students were given the opportunity to move forward with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

Thankfully, Darnell said, she and her lunch buddy were a good match, and the student's parents agreed to continue the program.

"I met her when she was in second grade," Darnell said, adding that the program started when she herself was much younger and had recently moved away from home to Indiana.

"I was there by myself. I moved away from family, so it was really nice to build that bond together," she said. "It was a wonderful program, and the match could not have been better."

And the two have been "sisters" for over 20 years now.

"This program provided me with the first opportunity to be a mentor. It has been a blessing to see how much you can learn from others and how much we have in common," Darnell said, adding that the experience taught her the importance of patience.

"We can all be a little impatient with things, so you have to step back and realize that we're all growing and learning," she said, "and we all grow and learn differently."

And growing and learning continues to be a priority for Darnell.

"My current goals are to grow in my current position (at Chardon Custom Polymers). I work closely with customers, so I grow and learn with them and take on more responsibilities internally," she said. "I'm also looking forward to my role with the Rubber Division."

Darnell said she draws inspiration from her mother, who was widowed early in her life, and professional "trailblazers" she has worked alongside.

"She's very courageous," Darnell said of her mother. "She managed to raise two teenagers (on her own). She's always been supportive and allowed my brother and I to make our own decisions. …It's such an inspiration to have someone who supports you like that.

"From a professional perspective, I'm inspired by individuals that are confident and passionate in what they believe in. Usually, they're trailblazers in their field and they paved the way for others."

Darnell named Marian DeVoe, president of Chardon Custom Polymers, as a prime example of this.

"She has been a trailblazer and supporter of the industry throughout her career and her employees by providing growth and career development," she said. "Her support has allowed me the opportunities to volunteer and grow in the industry."

Years with company: 2

Years in rubber industry: 26

I didn't grow up in the Akron area with knowledge of the rubber industry. My career path was non-conventional. After graduating college, the job market was tough. I was looking for a position while I studied for graduate school and worked in surgery for a local veterinarian. With the assistance of a former teammate in high school, I started working in the lab in my hometown of Asheboro, N.C., for Oliver Rubber, a division of Standard Products. I was promoted to process engineer, and then a position was created as an associate chemist. I was working with retread and EPDM Weatherstrip formulations for molding and extrusion processing. Within the first year of my career, Cooper Tire purchased Standard Products and more opportunities became available. I relocated to Auburn, Ind., as an R&D chemist for NVH.

The opportunities in the industry, working with the most talented individuals in the industry, and solving some of the industry's most interesting challenges has been rewarding for me. I get to learn something new every day. I have had the opportunity to travel the world, work in many market segments, and developed friendships globally. The industry is full of resources that are always willing to answer questions or point me in the right direction.

I think my colleagues would say that I challenge them by advocating for the customer and I am always asking questions. I have a growth mindset, and am always trying to learn the process and background information to help with continuous improvement opportunities internally and externally with our customers.

Leadership to me is listening to your colleagues and customers and always looking for ways to learn and improve. It is important to be approachable and adaptable, while advocating for the team.

I demonstrate leadership to our team by building relationships and working to remove obstacles that challenge our business. I believe that mentoring and sharing knowledge are opportunities to learn and grow. I look to provide opportunities for others to gain professional development either by on-the-job experiences or recommending outside training.

I like to engage across departments to understand other perspectives in order to make informed decisions and build other leaders in the process.

I was introduced to John Maxwell, and I have found his books and audio on leadership to be a quick study with application.

It is easy to start the morning with his daily "Minute with Maxwell" email. A big part of his approach is through daily reflection. I find that the daily reminder and the opportunity to reflect on the day and application has helped me become more aware and improve in my leadership skills.

I see all situations as opportunities to learn, and when issues arise, I like to use these as lessons and/or opportunities for corrective actions to be put in place to share the knowledge.

I would say that an area that I wish I had focused more on was my mid-career development. In most cases, it is easier to have professional development plans and identifying those willing to guide you early on, but once you gain experience and the workload increases, you need to be intentional about your career path. It's important to take the initiative for your development and work with mentors or colleagues that can be a resource in various areas.

I enjoy volunteering and traveling. Whether it's hiking the (Cleveland) Metroparks, sitting on a beach, volunteering, or just enjoying the Northeast Ohio summer with family and friends. I am energized and inspired by meeting new people, traveling to new places and helping others.

Success is continuing to learn every day and being thankful for opportunities to use my skillset to give back to others through volunteering.