Q&A with Lauren Finelli, Account Executive
At Performance Systems Integration (PSI), every team member has taken a different path that has led them to the fire and life safety industry. Career Path Stories features PSI team members sharing their professional journeys and how they arrived at their chosen career.
Lauren Finelli is an Account Executive at Performance Systems Integration in Portland, Oregon. Specializing in NFPA compliance and documentation strategies, Lauren works with PSI customers to offer a streamlined approach to annual testing, inspection, and maintenance of life safety systems. She takes pride in delivering outstanding customer care.
Lauren’s Career Timeline at PSI:
- September 2013: Administrative Assistant
- February 2014: Operations Coordinator
- May 2014: Account Executive
- January 2023: Strategic Account Manager
- January 2024: Regional Sales Manager
- January 2025: Account Executive
What brought you to the fire and life safety industry?
I started at PSI in an administrative role right out of college. After 6 months I moved into an operations coordinator position, and then when a spot on the sales team became available, I moved into that role.
How did you learn to become a successful salesperson?
I did not have a background in sales, so I gained skills through training and guidance from my manager at PSI, as well as spending a lot of time with other sales representatives in the field and at tradeshows.
Our team of highly skilled, NICET-certified technicians have made it easier to gain new clients. I have learned a lot about the fire and life safety industry by joining our technicians on site visits to observe what they do and how they communicate with customers. Their exceptional service and outstanding customer care has helped me to build long-term relationships with clients and consistently exceed their expectations.
What has kept you at PSI for 13 years?
It's the people, the mutual trust, and the flexibility. Our leadership has built a tremendous company culture over the years. I trust our leaders to take the company in the right direction—doing what’s right for both the customers and employees. A lot of the people that I worked with 13 years ago are still here, and that says a lot about the culture at PSI.
As a mother, I’ve been able to have a fulfilling career while also be involved with my kids’ school activities. I appreciate that flexibility and the work/life balance. There's nowhere else I would rather be because PSI is still the best at doing what we do.
What support for career development have you received at PSI?
A significant investment was made by PSI leadership in sales tools to support our team and grow the business. These tools and the accompanied training have taken my sales skills and knowledge to the next level.
With this support, I have learned a lot about the sales cycle, worked with Marketing and Revenue Operations to develop processes, and our team has built a best-in-class sales experience for our customers. That team support coupled with ongoing internal sales training has improved my performance and helped me to hit my sales goals year after year.
Looking forward, what are your long-term aspirations?
A few years ago, my long-term aspirations were to either become a Regional Sales Manager or a Strategic Account Manager. I was given the opportunity try both positions at PSI. And after a year in each of these roles, I realized that neither was what I wanted, and now I’m back in the Account Executive role.
I’m grateful that I was given the opportunity by leadership to try these different roles without having to leave PSI. I think a lot of people must leave their current company to make those kind of career changes, but I didn’t have to do that. I’m fortunate that I got to stay where I care deeply about the company and the people I work with.
I honestly love interacting with new customers. I get to share who we are at PSI and why we’re the best at what we do. And at least for the near future, I'm very happy to stay in the Account Executive role.
What would you say to someone considering joining the fire and life safety industry?
A salesperson in the fire and life safety industry has the opportunity to make a real impact by providing essential solutions that protect lives and property. This industry offers a stable and growing market, driven by strict regulations and increasing safety awareness.
Providing fire and life safety solutions means helping our customers stay compliant with safety standards. This creates a consistent demand for products and services. Additionally, it's a rewarding career where success isn’t just measured in sales but in the knowledge that each deal contributes to saving lives and preventing disasters.
Want to learn more about the opportunities at PSI?
Contact careers@PSIntegrated.com if you have any questions or comments regarding career opportunities.
Ready to join an industry with purpose?
Explore the open roles at Performance Systems Integration—offering competitive pay, benefits, and industry-leading focus on training and development. Work with a supportive team while you make a difference in protecting people and property.
