Deanna McClarnon
Deanna McClarnon, Sales Manager, Berlin Metals, Hammond, IN
Powered by Teamwork. Believes people fuel our success. Focused on the future.
Deanna still remembers the exact date she walked through the doors of Berlin Metals for the first time, nearly three decades ago on February 4, 1998. She didn’t know it then, but that day would mark the beginning of a career defined by growth, resilience, and, most of all, people.
She started as a Sales Assistant, learning the ropes and figuring out where she fit. Within a year, she moved into an Inside Sales Representative role, where she would spend the better part of two decades building relationships, sharpening her skills, and becoming someone others relied on.
Over time, her role evolved and so did she. In 2017, she stepped into management as an Inside Sales Manager, and years later transitioned into a hybrid role that blended leadership with customer-facing responsibilities. Today, she leads a team, helps guide leadership decisions, and still makes time to connect directly with customers. It’s a balancing act, but it’s one she genuinely enjoys.
Deanna is most proud of the Berlin Metals team and considers her role within the team her greatest contribution to the Company. “Without everyone in the office and plant, we wouldn’t be where we are today. My interactions with all of them is what gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”
So, it makes sense that Teamwork is the Core Value Deanna feels she best represents. “I want to be involved, and I want my team to be involved, too.”
That belief has shaped the way she shows up every day. She’s the kind of person others turn to for advice, mentorship, or sometimes reassurance that they’re on the right track. And while she’s proud of how far she’s come, what matters most to her is growing alongside others and helping them do the same.
Lou Iafolla, Director of Sales at Berlin Metals, says, “Deanna exemplifies outstanding leadership, work ethic and integrity in everything she does. She leads her team by example, doing whatever it takes to achieve success and foster a positive work environment.”
Deanna’s journey has included occasional challenges like market shifts, industry pressures, and unexpected hurdles. She’s faced them all with a straightforward approach. She explains, “I face challenges directly, and when I need help, I lean on the people around me to bounce off ideas.”
That mindset, combined with a strong support system, has carried her through even the toughest moments. She’s never been afraid to ask questions, and she encourages others to do the same.
In fact, if you ask her what advice she’d give someone just starting out, it’s rooted in that same philosophy: stay open, stay curious and don’t let fear hold you back. “Mistakes will happen. They’re part of the process,” she says, “What matters most is what you do next. Learn from your mistakes and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges.”
For Deanna, work has never just been about the job. It’s about the environment, the shared purpose, and the sense of belonging. She describes it as a place where people genuinely support each other, a place that feels, in many ways, like family. And, that’s what makes her happy to come to work each day; not just the work itself, but the people she gets to do it with.
As she looks ahead, her goals are clear and grounded. She wants to keep growing the business, continue developing the people around her, and eventually pass the torch to the next generation of leaders. And when the time comes, she hopes to step away knowing she made a lasting impact.
