Finding Balance: Maria Hoang Snapshot Profile in JCR
Q&A with Maria Hoang, Senior Director, Sales & Marketing Ops, TMA Houston
Q: What year did you join TMA?
I joined TMA in 2024 and quickly became active at both the chapter and national level. Serving on committees like the TMA NOW Global Planning Committee (2026), the Global Distressed Investing Conference Committee (2024–2025), and the Global Network of Women Committee (2025) has allowed me to give back, learn from member experts, and contribute to programming that supports the next generation of professionals. These experiences have also allowed me to put myself out there, expand my visibility, and grow as a leader within the industry.
The work I have been doing includes things like reaching out to other chapter presidents to find out if a TMA NOW group exists within their organizations. If not, I’ll start a dialog to find out if there is anyone in that local chapter who might be interested in getting one started. I have been on two program committees and have enjoyed researching and bringing in panelists for different discussions.
Q: How did you gravitate toward turnaround and restructuring work?
My career has always been at the intersection of complex assets, distressed situations, and high-stakes decision-making. I’ve loved numbers and math from a young age, and my degree in Finance and Marketing provided a strong foundation for a career in finance. I began in the specialty finance and asset disposition space, working with large Fortune 500 oil and gas companies and managing surplus equipment both domestically and internationally. Over the past two decades, I’ve led sales strategies across sectors including audiovisual, biopharma, and industrial machinery, overseeing multimillion-dollar transactions and consistently exceeding recovery targets. These experiences naturally drew me toward turnaround and restructuring, allowing me to contribute to solutions during pivotal moments where outcomes truly matter.
Each and every deal is unique. There might be multiple locations or major asset-storage challenges. I enjoy navigating through those situations and finding ways to excel and maximize the recovery for our customers and stakeholders. It’s like solving a puzzle.
Q: Is there a deal or transaction that has been especially important or memorable for you?
Several transactions stand out, but two are particularly memorable due to their scale and complexity.
One is the ongoing sale of over 4,500 oil and gas assets across the U.S. and Canada since July 2024. This included oilfield equipment, trucks, trailers, cranes, heavy construction and metalworking equipment, and medical and biopharma assets, spanning 14 auctions in Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ontario, as well as private sales in North Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, and Oklahoma. The effort generated over 315,000 page views and achieved a $13.2 million recovery. Successfully managing this sale reinforced the importance of collaboration, logistics, and strategic execution, and shaped how I approach complex asset transactions in turnaround situations.
The marketing effort was comprehensive. We even had a videographer come out and take drone footage. Over the course of 14 sales, we had videos, social media ads, press releases, and newspaper and trade magazine coverage. We really got the word out. Oil and gas equipment made up the bulk of the assets, but these sales were extremely diverse and included things like motors. In terms of puzzles, it was a big one.
Another standout was managing two fleet auctions in Q1, where 109 tractors and trailers were sold across over 10 locations nationwide. The fleets included brands like International, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Paccar, Kenworth, and Daimler, as well as dry van and reefer trailers from CIMC, Great Dane, Hyundai, Utility, and Wabash. The auctions generated 1.5 million impressions, 44,433 page views, and 2,527 total bids from 678 unique registered bidders, including participants from as far away as Mersin, Turkey.
Bidders included trucking and transportation companies, manufacturers, freight-forwarders, and agriculture firms. The auctions achieved a total recovery of $4.5 million. What made this sale particularly challenging—and rewarding—was the operational side: the team coordinated moving and storage of all units across multiple locations, tracked associated costs, and managed reporting to ensure the auctions were executed efficiently and profitably. This project reinforced the importance of strategic planning, attention to detail and clear communication.
“Tennis teaches patience, adaptability, and resilience. You can’t control every variable, but you can control preparation, focus, and how you respond under pressure–lessons that translate directly into turnaround environments and strategic decision-making, where thinking several steps ahead is critical.”
Q: What key achievements or milestones have helped you get to where you are today?
Earning my MBA while working full-time and stepping into a hybrid leadership role overseeing both marketing and sales operations were significant milestones. These experiences enabled me to blend strategic planning with operational execution. I’ve also played a role in pioneering the industry’s shift from analog to digital, leveraging cloud-based CRM platforms and advanced analytics to improve efficiency, broaden market reach, and boost campaign performance. In addition, I serve on the Industrial Auctioneers Association Marketing and Technology Committee, which has allowed me to help drive innovation in our industry while continuing to learn and grow professionally. Becoming actively involved in national TMA committees has also been an important milestone, giving me opportunities to mentor and contribute to the broader professional community.
Q: What role has TMA membership played in your career?
TMA has been instrumental in expanding my perspective beyond my core discipline. Through conferences, committees, and chapter involvement, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from member experts, collaborate across disciplines, and continue developing as a leader. These roles have allowed me not only to contribute to programming and initiatives, but also to continue being a role model for the next generation of professionals. I’m genuinely excited to be part of this community and to give back to a network that has been so impactful in my career.
Q: How did you get involved with tennis? What is your favorite aspect of the sport as part of your life?
I started playing tennis in middle school and continued through high school, competing in organized matches and tournaments. That early exposure to competition is what initially drew me to the sport. Today, what I enjoy most is the balance—it’s physically demanding, highly strategic, and incredibly grounding. It’s one of the few activities that fully pulls me out of my day-to-day work mindset.
Q: Can you translate any of the lessons you learn on the court into your professional work?
Absolutely. Tennis teaches patience, adaptability, and resilience. You can’t control every variable, but you can control preparation, focus, and how you respond under pressure—lessons that translate directly into turnaround environments and strategic decision-making, where thinking several steps ahead is critical.
Q: What might people who only know you professionally be most surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn how competitive I am outside of work—whether on the tennis court, snowboarding, or pursuing personal goals. I love learning, exploring new experiences, and traveling the world, which keeps me adaptable and curious. I’m also a mom pursuing a demanding career while continuing to dream big. My parents came to the U.S. in 1975 during the Vietnam War, and their courage and resilience have been a guiding example for me throughout my life. Their story inspires me to work hard, stay committed to my goals, and lead by example. I want people to understand how deeply dedicated I am—not just to my work, but to personal growth, adventure, and setting an example through resilience, discipline, and follow-through.
This article originally appears in the Journal of Corporate Renewal.
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Senior Director, Marketing & Sales Operations
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