" leaders and entrepreneurs are made, not born..."
The Journey
Born in Sri Lanka, Sam moved to the United States in his early twenties with a deep desire to build a life rooted in purpose. His professional journey began in the corporate world, where he rose to senior leadership roles in the automotive aftermarket industry. In 2007, during a time of global recession, Sam stepped out in faith to launch Parts Life, Inc., pursuing a lifelong dream of business ownership.
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Today, he leads both Parts Life, Inc. and DeVal Lifecycle Support—companies that serve the U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace sectors across land, sea, undersea, air, and space. These companies specialize in reverse engineering, obsolescence management, and precision manufacturing of mission-critical components.
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In 2017, Sam acquired DeVal Lifecycle Support, a Philadelphia-based company on the brink of closure. Rather than letting it shut down, he chose to preserve jobs, invest in people, and rebuild something meaningful in the heart of the inner city. Since then, DeVal has grown by over 400%, creating career pathways in advanced manufacturing while staying committed to community and workforce development.
Leadership is Stewardship
We believe the greatest investments are made in people—and that building a strong business begins with helping individuals rise to their potential. This belief is reflected in the workforce development initiatives embedded in his companies, which include:
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Help U Buy
A first-time homeownership program
Financial literacy and life skills training
Ongoing development in manufacturing and trade skills
These programs go beyond business—they are designed to foster stability, dignity, and long-term growth in the lives of employees and their families.
Our Mission
To create environments where every person can reach their God-given potential.
Motivational Speaker & Author
Sam leads with humility, boldness, and adaptability. He has spoken across the U.S. and internationally, including a TED Talk at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. His topics include:
Life and leadership through sport
Faith and resilience in adversity
Workforce development & Entrepreneurship
Leading in culturally diverse workplaces
His book, The First 10 Runs in Singles—inspired by life lessons from his father through cricket—has been translated into seven languages and continues to inspire conversations on grit, growth, and purpose.
Faith & Family
Global Vision
Life of Purpose
Sam’s Christian faith is the cornerstone of his life and leadership. It shapes how he leads, serves, and sees the people around him. He believes every person is created with purpose—and he considers it his calling to help others discover and live that out. Sam has been married to his wife, Danilyn, for over 30 years. Together, they have five children, each pursuing their unique paths. Family remains his greatest joy and his most valuable leadership training ground.
Through the SamT Network and the SamT Foundation, Sam shares what he has learned to empower others—especially those who feel like underdogs or are navigating new industries, cultures, or seasons of life. One of his signature initiatives is the Micah Cricket Club, which operates in eight countries—including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India—to teach youth leadership and character development through cricket. It’s one of the many ways he helps others grow on and off the field.
Whether through business, mentorship, writing, or service, Sam’s work is not about titles or recognition—it’s about helping others grow into who they were created to be. That is the purpose he strives to live out every day.
This work—whether in business, mentorship, writing, or service—isn’t about titles or accomplishments. It’s about helping others grow into who they were created to be. We’re grateful for the opportunity to do this work every day!
"I believe that leaders and entrepreneurs
are made, not born...
Values such as hard work, grit, empathy, compassion, continuous improvement and stewardship are covered here as some of the tools I’ve used to help build my business, family and community. "