If you work within the fluid power industry, chances are, you know Chauntelle Baughman, CFPHS, or have at least seen some of her popular social media posts. Baughman is the president, CEO and co-founder of OneHydraulics, a woman-owned distributor and integrator serving the greater Houston area.
She stepped into fluid power right out of college, having graduated Texas A&M in 2006 with a degree in Industrial Distribution.
Chauntelle Baughman’s OneHydraulics was among the Top 100 Companies from around the world selected for the the 18th Annual Aggie 100, recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies owned by former students of Texas A&M University.
“In my Senior year at Texas A&M University, I found myself at a crossroads, with job offers spanning several diverse industries. Unsure of my career path, I turned to my dad for advice. He suggested I embrace the challenge, reassuring me I could always switch gears if I needed to. Intrigued by the unknown, I ventured into fluid power engineering — a realm completely new to me,” Baughman said. “Despite my initial uncertainty, I quickly became enamored with the field’s dynamism, where every day presents a new challenge, and my career was always far from boring. The industry has stuck with me ever since.”
Her employer placed a high value on IFPS certifications, which she still carries with her to this day. Being a CFPHS was a requirement for sales there, so she attained her certification within a few months of that first job, which launched her career into fluid power sales. Baughman truly believes in the value and importance of the IFPS and its certification program. So much so that she became heavily involved in the organization.
“Being a young female in a predominantly male industry could be intimidating. However, the esteemed reputation of the IFPS within the fluid power community provided me with a tangible credential and a testament to my capabilities, boosting my confidence and gaining the respect from my peers in the fluid power industry as technically competent and capable,” she said. “Motivated by the desire to contribute a unique perspective as a young female professional in fluid power, I became active with the IFPS. Serving as a member of the IFPS Board of Directors and most recently as the VP Marketing Chair, I have had the opportunity to actively shape the direction of the organization and help steer us into a very exciting future. IFPS plays a pivotal role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow through education and certification, and I’m so excited and grateful to be a part of creating that.”
Being the face of the business
Baughman is probably one of the most prominent woman-owned fluid power businesses out there. She is known for her unique social media posts, particularly on LinkedIn, where she is featured in every post — highlighting the work her team does in providing quality fluid power sales, service and design.
Chauntelle Baughman is the face of OneHydraulics, promoting her woman-owned business regularly.
Because OneHydraulics is still a small and new company, she carries a diverse array of responsibilities. “As a relatively young and agile company, I have the privilege of assuming many roles, spanning from human resources to quality management, from marketing to finance,” she said. “Since our establishment in 2016, our journey has been marked by remarkable growth, albeit accompanied by significant challenges inherent to scaling operations.
“The most exhilarating facet of my position lies in confronting these challenges head-on, devising innovating solutions, and fostering an environment where my team feels empowered to overcome obstacles and exceed customer expectations,” Baughman continued. “I derive immense satisfaction from the creative process involved in problem-solving and from recognizing and nurturing the talents of my incredibly gifted and hardworking team. Managing a team of such talented and intelligent individuals adds an extra dimension to my role. Their collective dedication and constant willingness to question the status quo are pivotal in driving our company’s success.
“While aspects of my job like financial management, human resources, and quality control may not always evoke the same level of excitement, I recognize their indispensable role in laying the foundation for our future and sustaining the steady growth trajectory that has characterized our journey thus far,” she concluded.
She co-founded the company in 2016 with Brett Holmes, VP of sales and co-founder, who she had worked with at HydraQuip. Baughman attributes her husband, Mark, who is VP of Finance for OneHydraulics, with giving her the nudge to embark on business ownership.
“He has always believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself. I had spent 10 years working in fluid power sales, and during that time, I had the privilege of working alongside some incredibly talented people and gaining invaluable industry experience. When I made the decision to move on, I saw it as an opportunity to build something new — something that reflected the kind of company I wanted to be a part of.
“The transition from sales to ownership was both exhilarating and terrifying,” Baughman said. “I left a stable job and stepped into the unknown, but I was driven by a clear vision: to create a business focused on technical expertise, exceptional customer service, and a strong company culture. Looking back, it was one of the most challenging but rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.”
Chauntelle Baughman inspects components at OneHydraulics.
Baughman attributes her success to her unique, quirky, customer-centric viewpoint. “Just because fluid power is technical, I don’t believe it has to be boring! I envisioned creating a brand and workplace that aligned with my values and aspirations, a place where I would genuinely enjoy working,” she said.
“What truly drives me is the ability to enact positive change and shape the future of fluid power. Having the autonomy to implement my vision and build something that resonates with my ideals is incredibly fulfilling. Running OneHydraulics allows me to channel my passion for innovation and customer delight into tangible outcomes, creating the kind of fluid power future I envision for our industry.”
Part of the family
Although there are challenges to working in the fluid power industry, Baughman said that one of the most fulfilling aspects of working in the industry is its sense of community – it’s like a big family, she noted.
“I love that I can go to a trade show or an industry meeting and see so many familiar faces from various points in my career and pick up right where our friendships left off. Despite how large the industry really is, there really is a sense of interconnectedness where people can easily build relationships that last a lifetime,” she said.
She did note that with this closeness comes a challenge: the impending retirement of many seasoned experts. “These individuals hold a wealth of knowledge, gained through years of experience. As they prepare to step back, there’s a pressing need to ensure their wisdom isn’t lost. Finding and nurturing the next generation of talent is key to overcoming this great challenge and keeping the industry thriving,” Baughman added.
To combat this, she agrees that increasing the participation of women and younger individuals in the fluid power industry is crucial, but hinges on proactive outreach and engagement efforts across the industry. “Fluid power is a hidden gem – everyone who touches it, considers it as the focus of their career. I have personally taken up mentoring to shine a light on our industry, and I love connecting with university professors to show students the exciting opportunities in fluid power,” she said. “I’m a huge supporter of STEM education, and I love to see events like the NFPA’s Fluid Power Action Challenge. It’s all about spreading the word and showing people how cool our industry is! Through our efforts together, we can ensure a vibrant and diverse talent pipeline for the future.”
Inclusivity and mentoring
Baughman takes these programs to heart and is active in supporting future fluid power professionals through One Hydraulics and industry involvement.
The OneHydraulics team continues to grow.
“At our company, inclusivity and support are ingrained in our culture. We prioritize equal opportunities, ensuring fair treatment and advancement prospects for all employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. Our leadership sets the tone by fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and everyone has an opportunity to be heard,” she said. “We actively promote professional development and mentorship opportunities, as well as host regular trainings with our seasoned industry veterans to foster talent and help people grow in their careers. We really do believe that the more you know, the more you grow.”
Baughman recently began mentoring students from the engineering school through her involvement with the Society of Women in Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. She said that as an alumna, stepping into the role of mentor was initially a bit surreal, but immensely rewarding. “I vividly recall the uncertainty and excitement of navigating the professional world, and it’s fulfilling to share my experiences and insights with those just beginning their careers,” she said. “In my mentoring sessions, I focus on practical guidance such as resume tips, interview preparation, and insights as to what employers value in their employees. These conversations center around empowering mentees to present themselves confidently and make a positive impression in interviews. By sharing my own journey and lessons learned, I hope to support and inspire the next generation of engineers as they embark on their career paths.”
Meeting challenges to ensure a bright future
Every career has challenges, and Baughman noted that her biggest was clearly in starting her own business from scratch. “Beginning at a kitchen table with literally a blank sheet of paper and a dream was a formidable task. Every aspect of the business, from vendor partnerships to customer relationships, had to be crafted and built from the ground up,” she said. “Despite possessing a strong technical background in fluid power sales, I realized quickly that success would hinge on a lot more than just technical expertise.
“To overcome this challenge, I immersed myself in learning. I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, so I began to voraciously read every business book I could get my hands on — management, quality, human resources, accounting, web design, entrepreneurship, marketing, even biographies of company founders I admire,” she said. “This commitment to continuous learning enabled me to expand my skill set and knowledge base, equipping me with the tools and insights I’d need to navigate the complexities of business ownership.”
Baughman said that one of the most valuable lessons from engineering she learned as a student is the skill of independent problem solving. Engineers learn to navigate unfamiliar territory by drawing upon fundamental principles and applying creating thinking to find solutions. “This ability proved crucial when we started OneHydraulics, as I ventured into new disciplines such as human resources and accounting,” she said. “Despite lacking prior experience, I was able to approach these concepts with confidence, leveraging my engineering mindset to learn quickly and adapt to the demands of running a quickly growing business.”
Chauntelle Baughman participates in training on HAWE products and technologies.
As Baughman edges up on a decade of business ownership, she recognized that the fluid power industry is changing. “We’re truly in the midst of a transformative era, where technology is revolutionizing fluid power systems, and we’re only just scratching the surface of its potential,” she said. “The increased utilization of sensors, advanced materials, and simulation and modeling software has led to remarkable improvements in system efficiency and reliability.
“Looking ahead, I see even greater opportunities for major innovation in the near future. AI will play a pivotal role in optimizing system efficiencies and enabling predictive maintenance, allowing us to anticipate and prevent failures before they occur. Additive manufacturing (3D printing) will revolutionize the production of fluid power components, enabling manufacturers to develop lighter, more efficiency designs with enhanced performance characteristics,” she concluded. “Overall, I envision a future where fluid power systems are not only more efficient and reliable, but also more intelligent and adaptable. It’s a future that I really can’t wait to see.”
Connect with Chauntelle Baughman on LinkedIn and visit onehydraulics.com for more information.
Filed Under: News, Trending, Women in Fluid Power
