Darnell Franco

Sales engineering isn’t just about numbers and tech, it’s about people, problem-solving, and, surprisingly, a little bit of soul. This episode of *What the Funk?* brings in Darnell Franco from Detechtion Technologies, a guy who knows his way around compressor fleets *and* the complexities of being human. From breaking down digital twins and edge computing in oil and gas to sharing why mental health and "soul compensation" matter just as much as a paycheck, Darnell keeps it real. If you've ever wondered how to juggle the technical grind with personal growth (without burning out), this one’s for you. Click here to watch a video of this episode. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward. Apply today at collide.io Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro 01:40 - Who is Darnell Franco 07:00 - Balancing Team Dynamics 13:16 - Addressing Burnout 15:28 - Advice for Your Younger Self 20:07 - Overview of Detechtion Technologies 23:14 - Understanding Detection Solutions 26:38 - Exploring the Edge Technology 28:25 - Detection's Approach to AI 30:30 - Digital Twin and Dashboard Insights 34:31 - Impact of Detection on Oil and Gas 38:30 - Choosing the Right Compressor Size 48:03 - Qualities of a Great Sales Engineer 52:47 - Simplifying Complex Topics 54:54 - Connecting with Darnell Franco 56:59 - Podcast Wrap-Up https://twitter.com/collide_io https://www.tiktok.com/@collide.io https://www.facebook.com/collide.io https://www.instagram.com/collide.io https://www.youtube.com/@collide_io https://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters