A Veteran’s Legacy: Dale Romine’s Impact on itel’s Success

For Veteran’s Day, we proudly spotlight Dale Romine, a 22-year veteran of our team whose journey began with a solid foundation in the United States Navy. Serving 26 years and reaching the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), Dale dedicated his military career to Electronic Warfare, maintaining and operating radar jammers and receivers across a variety of ships. This experience fostered a deep sense of discipline, precision, and adaptability—qualities that have become integral to his work at itel.?

When Dale joined itel in 2003 as Team Leader for the Vinyl program, he was recruited by a trusted former Navy colleague, Darrell Jester. The bond they forged in service has endured over the years, and they continue to work together to this day—a testament to the strength of their connection and the shared values they bring to itel. Dale quickly took the initiative to innovate, implementing barcode printers and product count tracking to streamline receiving operations. His Navy-honed attention to detail and commitment to efficiency proved invaluable, leading him to present forward-thinking solutions that would shape itel’s testing programs for wood, laminate, tile, stone, siding, and roofing products. Now, as our Technical Director, Dale’s expertise in hard surfaces and drive for quality remain foundational to his work and our mission.?

In the Navy, Dale not only honed his technical skills but also served as a Master Training Specialist, teaching young sailors how to maintain complex electronic equipment. This dual focus on technical mastery and mentorship has influenced his approach at itel. “Those experiences gave me the opportunity to develop investigative skills and the ability to pass on knowledge to others,” he shares. These abilities have driven him to push the boundaries of his role, ensuring every client and team member understands the value of the solutions he leads.?

Dale’s achievements at itel are numerous, but he takes particular pride in his name being on four patents—a legacy he eagerly shares with his children. “It made me proud to show the plaques from the Patent Office to my children. I teach them to reach for the highest ring they can grab and don’t give up.” This sense of purpose and pride extends beyond patents and accolades; it’s about creating real solutions that make a difference.?

Reflecting on his military service, Dale shares how working with people from diverse backgrounds across 26 countries have shaped his empathetic approach, which he brings to itel every day, strengthening the company’s culture of community and support. "Patience with each other is key," he says. "Not everyone comes from the same background, and we need to help each other." This value of mutual respect and understanding mirrors itel’s commitment to people.?

Even after 22 years at itel, Dale remains passionate about his role and the family-like atmosphere at the company. “I love the variety in my job. The ability to travel is nice and the people I meet are amazing. It still has the family feel here at itel, even though we are no longer privately owned,” he says, adding that itel’s innate openness to new ideas has allowed him the freedom to explore and innovate.?

For Dale, working at itel means more than a paycheck; it means helping people rebuild their lives. “I am proud to work for a company that helps people during some of the worst times in their lives. To need our service means someone has suffered a loss of their property. I am glad we are there to help them get back into their homes as quickly as possible,”.?

His journey from the Navy to itel is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and commitment to service—qualities we are proud to celebrate this Veteran’s Day. Thank you, Dale, for your service to our country and for your invaluable contributions to itel.?