In a compelling episode of the Diamond Podcast, host Alfredo Diamond sat down with Marty Van Der Burgt to discuss his remarkable 34-year tenure at Belden. In an era where job-hopping has become the norm, Van Der Burgt’s journey from junior engineer to Vice President of Research and Development stands as a testament to the power of mutual commitment between employer and employee. His story, shared during this holiday season conversation, offers valuable insights into building a lasting career while driving innovation in the technology sector.
A Wisconsin Native Finds His Home in Richmond
Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Van Der Burgt’s path to Belden began with Cooper Industries in Milwaukee. When the opportunity arose to transfer to Richmond, Indiana, he jumped at the chance to work with Belden, a company that aligned with his background in RF and microwave technology. Even when Cooper sold Belden through an IPO, Van Der Burgt chose to stay with Belden – a decision that would shape the next three decades of his career.
Culture as the Foundation for Success
What made him stay? According to Van Der Burgt, it was the people. “When I came to work every day, they all had a smile on their face,” he recalls. The collaborative culture at Belden’s engineering center, where transplants from across the country formed tight-knit bonds through activities like euchre clubs and volleyball games, created an environment where innovation could thrive.
From Cables to Emmy Awards
Van Der Burgt’s technical achievements are impressive. His work on Conformable Coax, a hand-formable product capable of carrying signals up to 20 gigahertz, earned patents and found its way into satellites orbiting Earth. However, his crowning achievement came with the development of hybrid fiber-optic cable technology for high-definition broadcasting, which earned Belden an Emmy Award. This innovation standardized how broadcast equipment connects across venues worldwide, enabling the seamless transmission of high-definition content to viewers’ homes.
Leading Innovation at Belden Today
As Vice President of Research and Development since 2019, Van Der Burgt has helped transform Belden beyond its traditional wire and cable roots. The company now provides comprehensive infrastructure solutions, including connectors, racks, switches, software, and cybersecurity systems. Under his leadership, Belden’s engineering teams are designing products that anticipate future technological needs – sometimes decades in advance.
Investing in Future Talent
Recognizing the challenges of attracting and retaining talent in Wayne County, Van Der Burgt has championed innovative programs at Belden. The company runs a robust internship program, bringing in college students from major Midwestern universities for 12-16 week periods. Additionally, their early career program offers three-year rotations, allowing young professionals to explore different roles while receiving mentorship and training.
Looking Ahead
Van Der Burgt remains optimistic about Wayne County’s future and Belden’s role in it. While acknowledging challenges in areas like housing and amenities for young professionals, he sees exciting developments on the horizon for the region over the next 3-5 years.
His advice for building a successful career? “If you do what’s right for the customer, for the product, for the business, and for yourself, and balance that as necessary, you should always come out with your head held high,” Van Der Burgt reflects, sharing wisdom gained from his first manager at Belden.
As Belden continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and markets while maintaining its commitment to innovation and quality, Van Der Burgt’s journey stands as an inspiring example of how staying true to one’s values while embracing change can lead to extraordinary achievements in the technology sector.