Sabanto’s First Field Application Engineer: Alex Valdez
After recognizing the need for more boots on the ground to support our customers and dealers, Sabanto created a Field Application Engineer position to cover multiple territories across the U.S. The role combines technical expertise with interpersonal skills while working closely with our Commercial Sales Lead. A good portion of their time is spent working one-on-one with prospective customers, scheduling field demonstrations, and introducing them to how they can incorporate autonomy into their farming operations. The position requires someone who is a quick learner, a great communicator, and not afraid to get their hands dirty – enter Alex Valdez.
Alex grew up in southern Texas with strong ties to agriculture. After graduating from Texas A&M, he spent his early professional career managing large cattle operations. He later worked as a crop advisor, selling crop protection and production products. Earlier this year, Alex was pulled to move back home to Texas and found an opportunity with Sabanto, becoming our first Field Application Engineer covering Texas and its surrounding states.
Alex Valdez joined the Sabanto team as a Field Application Engineer in August 2024.
What drew Alex to Sabanto? Our innovative technology and the overall reach of autonomy in agriculture sparked his initial interest. As someone who likes to challenge himself, Alex immersed himself in learning all about our product’s hardware and software from our team of experts. During his first week on the job, he saw one of our systems run autonomously for the first time, feeling a sense of excitement he’d never experienced before.
Sabanto Steward™ adapts something recognizable that many of us grew up around. We take something familiar and make it innovative,” Alex shared.
Understanding that autonomy is new to many prospective customers he works with, Alex has the right approach to training. Just like any other new skill, it requires time and repetition to learn. He breaks training down into the basic functions of the tractor. For example, how to create a field boundary, how to generate a path plan, and how to start the tractor on a mission. As operators master these skills, Alex slowly introduces them to new features, making sure they never feel overwhelmed with information. From there, he transitions into a support role, monitoring their usage, offering tips, and answering questions.
“I still get excited to send a tractor off on a mission. It’s neat to see other people experience autonomy for the first time and get excited about it too,” Alex stated.
Working closely with farmers and supporting them as they learn to use our autonomy is what makes Alex’s role most enjoyable. “I’ve watched things come full circle after seeing the potential of Sabanto’s autonomy in the area where I grew up. It feels like a breadcrumb that I’m on the right path and in the right place,” he reflects.
Meet Hondo – Alex’s friendly sidekick and the master shotgun rider.
Moving forward, Alex hopes to expand Sabanto’s footprint in Texas and establish a network of growers he can work with who can also benefit from working with each other. Envision a community of Sabanto users. His ultimate goal is to introduce autonomy to farmers struggling with labor challenges and help them optimize their farm’s efficiency and productivity.
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