It’s a work situation that has become all too common: commuting to work, travelling for work, long days, having to be available all hours of the day, and being on the verge of burnout.

That’s where Sylvia Denton found herself in the fall of 2024 when she knew she had to make a change. The timing was just right for her to find the posting for a Technical Sales Manager at Niagara College’s (NC) Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC).

Turns out, it was the perfect fit. “Not only do I have the proper experience, education and background for the role, but it also checks the boxes for me to fit with my busy ‘Hockey Mom’ lifestyle,” Sylvia said.

It also helped that she had a familiarity with the College, having had worked at Welland Hydro on multiple projects with NC’s Energy Manager for close to a decade.

In this new role as Technical Sales Manager, Sylvia’s primary responsibility is to assist companies in identifying opportunities for innovation that could improve their products or manufacturing processes. She also demonstrates how WAMIC’s leading-edge technology and expert staff can help make these opportunities a reality.

Sylvia’s passion really lies in her love for customer service and nurturing client relationships. “In past roles, I’ve always been involved in some type of customer service. I want to nurture all my clients, make sure they succeed and stay in Niagara,” she said.

She prides herself on customizing her meetings, whether they’re in-person or virtual, to the clients’ needs, because these meetings shouldn’t be cookie cutter. “When I go out and talk to people, I want to build trust, learn what they need and where their challenges are. What are their gaps? What are their pain points? And how WAMIC or its network can help,” she said.

Since starting with the team in December 2024, Sylvia also noted that the skill level and intelligence of the students that work at WAMIC are incredible. “I’ve got to see some of the projects they work on, and it just blows my mind how smart they are. They are getting real-world opportunities at WAMIC that connect them with industry, and it’s invaluable,” she said.

Sylvia has over 25 years of experience in utility metering, energy management and operational efficiency. She started her career at Measurement Canada, where the focus was on legal metrology in the electricity and gas utility sector.

She carried this knowledge to the energy management sector working with a large municipality, and then with Welland Hydro. While there, she successfully delivered the Save On Energy program, achieving energy savings targets for the Conservation First Framework.

Sylvia is a graduate of Electrical Engineering Power Systems from Mohawk College. A lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Now that she’s working in Niagara, Sylvia has more personal time to enjoy with family, friends and walking her dog. She has even returned to yoga classes, a hobby that had been on the back burner over the last few years.

“I’m excited to be part of the WAMIC team. I’ve been able to collaborate with others and bring some creative ideas to the table. I look forward to supporting local manufacturers and work in the community I call home,” said Sylvia.

To learn more about the services and capabilities of the WAMIC team, visit our website. Contact Sylvia Denton, Technical Sales Manager today to set up a meeting to learn more about service streams and how we can work together to better your business.