Kathy McLearn is a marketing representative with Applied Surface Coatings, LLC. She calls on builders and the new construction market to promote FortiCel, a pre-treat product that prevents mold.
HOW DOES FORTICEL WORK?
FortiCel prohibits mold growth on the applied coating surface of interior construction materials such as lumber, concrete, sheetrock and steel.
“We go in and pre-treat the around the windows and doors, shower stalls and anywhere where water intrusion could come in and cause mold. It eliminates mold on contact. Not only will it eliminate, but it will prevent it if they get a leak in the future.”
WHERE WAS SHE BEFORE APPLIED SURFACE COATINGS?
McLearn sold mold warranties through Castle Shield. She has more than 15 years sales experience in the homebuilding industry and related fields including sales of new and resale home warranties and advertising sales for home improvements. She sold home warranties for Home Buyers Warranty,Inc. for 15 years and Bonded Builders Home Warranty Association for three years. “I worked in the mid-Atlantic states including Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia selling products to builders.” Before that she sold advertising for The Merchandiser Publication in Maryland.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
2004.
WHAT AREA IS SHE FOCUSING ON?
Northeast Florida.
WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS?
“Realtors working with new home customers and builders.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“I love meeting new people. I can’t imagine being in an office all day. I just love being out.”
BEST MARKETING ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
“Never burn a bridge.”
PET PEEVES?
“I like when people look me in the eye. When they won’t look me in the eye, it drives me crazy.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“You have to have thick skin and not let your feelings get hurt. Warranties and mold prevention may not be very sexy, but they are a necessary thing. Sometimes people don’t want to be bothered. They can be curt or rude, but it doesn’t mean that if you go back next week, they won’t be more receptive.”
ASSOCIATIONS?
McLearn is a life spike member of the National Home Builders Association.
HOMETOWN?
Onley, Md.
RESIDES?
Cimarrone Golf and Country Club in St. Johns County.
PERSONAL SIDE?
McLearn has been married to Donald, who does public relations in the medical field, for 11 years. Together, they have five children, Scott, 28; Billy 27; Molly, 26; Kerry, 25 and Kristin, 23. They also have one grandchild, Kylee who was born on Christmas day. She is a banjo player who really enjoys Blue Grass music. She enjoys cooking, decorating and genealogy. A movie she loved was “Surviving Christmas.” A book she has read and would recommend is “Memoirs of a Geisha,” by Arthur Golden. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Law and Order” and “True Crime.” When traveling, her favorite place is New Orleans. When dining out, she prefers Copeland’s.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis