Articles

Eric Vaughn of DNA Group, Inc.

Eric Vaughn's roots in central OH may have accounted for his eventual entry into the appliance market. Mansfield was the home of many appliance companies, big and small, as well as the company suppliers. A few remain there today. Eric Vaughn, president of the DNA Group, Inc. graduated from Wittenburg University, Springfield, OH with a BFA in 1973. "There's little direct application of my degree into my business today except for the discipline toward critical thinking and helping to visualize a new program or implement a new structure," he says. Additional studies in business and engineering along the way provided more of his direct management skills. Mr. Vaughn served in sales and management positions at Ridgway Steel Fabrications and Greenleaf Tooling in Pennsylvania before joining Stackpole Components, Raleigh, NC in 1983. He directed the switch products group before the business was sold in 1986. Taking this as an opportunity to begin his own company, he focused on sourced components for the appliance and tools markets. Defond Manufacturing Ltd. in Hong Kong was one of his early suppliers and the relationship grew during the next few years. In 1989, DNA was formed through the merger of Vaughn's firm and Defond's interest. Today, DNA is one of the principle switch, electronic control, and sub-assembly suppliers to the portable and major appliance and tools industry in the world.

A strike involving a company he worked for in Pennsylvania provided an unexpected challenge for him. "I joined the company only 6 weeks previously and my assignment was to keep materials coming into the operation from our suppliers. I spent a lot of time negotiating on the phone and on the picket line. After the strike, I supervised one of the production shifts for a period and then we entered a campaign period for a de-certification vote. The union was decertified by a one-vote margin. It was an intense 6-month period."

When asked about his management style, he responds. "I suppose most would call it low key, but probably not patient. That gives us the best insight into how we're performing today and the vision to understand future horizons. I am one of those fortunate few who truly enjoy what they do. Guiding the business into new areas and watching the impact of the decisions made by the growing organization is a reward in itself. Most of all it's just the interaction and success with customers and friends that keep it fresh."

His challenges continue to be in people and technology. "Our business relies on experienced staff. That can be a problem in a job market which is so fluid," he says. "We continue to focus on integrating technology into all facets of our organization. It is demanding of our financial and human resources, but vital to serve our customers."

As new employees join the DNA organization, Mr. Vaughn tries to help them embrace a simple philosophy that has helped in his business decisions. "I'll tell them that I don't take myself too seriously, but that I do take our work very seriously. My point is that we should allow ourselves some fun in our interactions, but we can never lose sight of the big picture."

As seen in Appliance Magazine, March 2001