Success Stories

From warehouse worker to President…
Gene Bruni

When Gene Bruni landed a job at United Electric Supply in 1972, he started in the warehouse. While not a glamorous position, this position gave Gene the unique opportunity to learn about a company from the ground floor up …exactly how every good leader should.

Over the years, Gene held many positions…all the while being mentored by other company leaders and absorbing as much information and insight as he could. Because of United’s commitment to internal growth opportunities and promoting from within, the opportunities were plentiful...warehousing, counter, inside sales, outside sales, sales management, eventually achieving the role of senior vice president of sales and marketing.

From early on, United’s management team saw Gene was a bright and capable team member, brimming with tenacity. He stood out…his commitment was impressive…and his input was valuable. To them, there was no end to the opportunities that the young performer was seizing.

In time, the company introduced the ESOP program (employee stock option program) and, today, like all other United employees, Gene is a vested owner of the company.

Most recently, Gene was unanimously approved as the new president of United Electric. And, still, he treats his job as any company owner would—with gusto.

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.

 

From Warehouse to Outside Sales…
Chris Miller

Six years ago Chris Miller was still in college and working part-time selling beverages on a golf course where he met an electrical engineer/golf enthusiast from United Electric Supply. At the suggestion of the "thirsty" engineer, Chris applied for and accepted a sales position at United, but it would be awhile before he would actually work in sales. Chris would begin his sales career in the warehouse like everyone else (including the President).

Initially, he had very limited knowledge of the company, its goals and objectives, but with United’s hands-on training program and the support of the senior management staff, he would gain a thorough understanding of its operations, product lines and more.

These experiences would later prove invaluable to Chris’s success in sales. He explains, "The only way to gain a thorough understanding of all aspects of the business is by actually doing it yourself. It is the best way to understand the customers’ needs. Even the knowledge of how the packing ships and shipping labels are created helps me in my job today. These are resources I won’t forget because I learned them hands-on. It is not the same as reading the information because when you actually did it, you know it. For me it has made solving a customer problem easier…because I experienced it, I know the answer."

Chris also credits his success to the support he receives from his co-workers. "United takes a team approach to everything they do. When you work at United, the management gives you the training you need by taking you under their wing. They teach you to succeed by giving you the experience you need."

In addition, United’s hands-on training program has proven successful in teaching all employees to appreciate and respect the efforts of every person in the company. Chris explains, "At United, everyone is contributing, we work as a team. No matter what your position is, everything you do affects everyone’s outcome."

At 28, Chris is the youngest outside sales person at United Electric. With a degree in Operations Management, Chris may want to try another side of the business someday. "At United, it’s nice to know that the opportunities are always there."

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.

 

From Warehouse to Distribution & Control Product Specialist…
Jack Troiani

Self motivation is one of the traits that the senior management team at United Electric looks for when hiring a new employee.  And Jack Troiani has always been very motivated. 

Jack gained much more than knowledge by working a variety of jobs throughout high school.  The experience he had working for an electrical contractor the summer before his senior year would prove to be a significant one.  He realized that the Industrial Electrical field was the career path he wanted to pursue.  And although he didn’t know it at the time, it would soon lead him to the successful career he has today at United Electric Supply.

During his senior year attending vocational high school, Jack’s interest in the Industrial Electrical field continued to grow.  When a classmate with similar interests landed a job at United, he suggested to Jack that he apply for a job there, too.  That was in October of 1988.  Jack accepted the position at United Electric and has never looked back.

After high school graduation, Jack continued working part-time in United’s warehouse while attending college.  One of the many great benefits United offers its employees is financial assistance for education.  Thanks to United’s support, Jack now has two Associate’s degrees, one in electrical engineering and one in electronics engineering technology.

United believes in educating their employees on the job, too.
After working in the warehouse, Jack moved to counter sales, where he gained a better understanding of inventory, product lines and customer relationships before moving on to Lighting sales.  Later, he became a specialist on United’s product groups after spending seven years working in the Industrial Automation division.  Today, Jack works in the Gear and Distribution product group division for the Lancaster and Hanover branch locations as a Distribution and Control Product Specialist.

 In addition to the sales and tech support he receives at United, Jack credits his success in sales to the invaluable education he received working in the various areas of the company.  “I am able to help the customer best by knowing everything about the product lines we carry.” 

Jack feels that a pleasant working environment is another major benefit at United.  He says, “It is all the people I work with that makes the difference.  They make it a great job environment.” 

Education, opportunity for advancement, and great co-workers are just a few of the reasons why people like Jack find rewarding careers at United Electric Supply.

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.

 

From Picking and Packing Orders to Lighting & Electrical Sales…
Jim McLaughlin

Working part-time, picking and packing up orders in the warehouse is how Jim McLaughlin started his career at United Electric.  That was 16 years ago when he was a senior in high school.  After receiving his two-year college degree, Jim accepted a full-time position at United.  Thanks to the support and financial assistance he received from United’s “Educational Assistance Program”, he was able to continue his education and earn his Bachelor’s degree.

Like most employees at United Electric, Jim started in the warehouse where he learned the basics of the business, including such skills as how to cut wire.  By working in the will-call, shipping and receiving departments, he gained vital knowledge of the company’s daily operations.  He learned firsthand about the United Electric’s customer requirements by working in counter sales, a department he would manage for three years before his next promotion.

The management team watched Jim grow with the same enthusiasm that Jim exhibited in his work.  United recognized his abilities as a leader and they rewarded him for it.  It wasn’t long before Jim moved upstairs to the Inside Sales Department where he had the opportunity to work directly with the residential and commercial customers.  “That’s what’s great about United.  Your options are open.  You can work in different divisions if you choose to.”

Jim continued to take advantage of the options offered to him by United.  He accepted an offer to work in sales, and transferred to the Dover branch.  The year he spent there gave him the valuable experience that would lead to another promotion.  Jim McLaughlin jumped on the opportunity to be in charge of opening the new Fenwick Island branch, which he then managed for five years.  

Currently, Jim is actively involved in outside sales for the company’s new Salisbury location in addition to the lighting showroom and outside sales focus he still has in Fenwick.

The opportunities at United have certainly proven endless for Jim, as well as countless other employees.  Part of the motivation to excel comes from knowing that you have a vested interest in the company.  Like many other employees who started working at United while still in high school, this is the only company Jim has ever worked for.  United Electric believes that owning a piece of the pie is one of the many reasons why so many commit to a career with the company.   

“Employee-owned means you can voice your concerns.  Your opinion counts to the company.  Upper management is always there to listen and help you out in any way.  All employees work hard to help you take care of the customer.  You are working for yourself in a way.  After all, you own part of the company.

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.

 

From Warehouse to Inside Sales…
John C. Sechrist

Almost six years ago, John C. Sechrist was attending vocational high school and already familiar with the electrical trade when he started working part-time in the warehouse at United Electric. 

A lot has changed since then for this native Delawarean.  John has experienced, firsthand, many of the benefits United has to offer its employees.  The opportunity for growth is one. 

From that first warehouse job, John was promoted to receiving, then counter sales,and has kept on going.  By January of 2007, John had proven to United that he knew how to serve their customers, and was promoted to inside sales.

United Electric’s philosophy that every employee they hire is an investment has served John well.  While working in sales full-time, John has been able to continue his education part-time.  He is working toward a degree in Business Management from Wilmington College, with financial assistance from United, one of the many added benefits the company offers to its employees.

John sees his future as continuing at United.  “Job security means a lot.  There is nothing better out there.  The benefit of being employee-owned means everyone has a hand in the future of the company.  This is not like a corporate machine running…people have a hand in it.”

While job security is important, John says that pride in his work is another major factor that contributes to his success at United.  “There is a lot of pride in what we do here.  It feels really good when you are driving down the highway and see a building that you had a hand in.”

The management team at United not only supports the efforts of every employee, their achievements are recognized and rewarded.  John Sechrist explains:  “United Electric employees are recognized for their hard work here.  We don’t just sit at our desks.  Our jobs may be demanding, but with the natural progression to move up - it is very rewarding.”

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.

 

From Billing to Inside Sales…
Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen was a senior in high school when she accepted an entry level position in the Accounting Department at United Electric.  Today, Lisa is enjoying a successful career in sales -   a position she never even dreamed of having 19 years ago.   
Over the years, like many of her co-workers, she has benefited from United’s practice to promote employees from within. 

Lisa is just one of many employees who has taken advantage of the advancement opportunities United Electric offers. 
She spent her first several years learning everything about the company’s accounts receivable and payable processes.  The knowledge she gained from that experience led her to the position of secretary to the Chief Financial Officer.  
But Lisa did not stop there.  With the encouragement and support she received from the senior management team, Lisa’s enthusiasm and interest in the company continued to grow. 

After many years working on the administrative side of the business, she began to develop an interest in sales.  United’s senior management had already recognized her potential and encouraged her to make the move.   With the promise that they would support her every step of the way, Lisa was confident she was ready to move on to what she refers to as “the other side of the business.”

To ensure her success in sales, Lisa started in the warehouse (like all of United Electric’s sales staff) to learn more about the product lines and ordering processes.  She worked the counter and rode in delivery trucks so that she could see firsthand how her job would directly affect the customers’ experience.   

While currently very happy and enjoying her inside sales position, Lisa has learned the many benefits of being open to change.   She is certain of one thing that will never change and that is her commitment to a future at United.  “Everyone who works here at United supports each other.  Being employee-owned gives each of us the incentive to do well, and that’s what keeps the customers coming back.  But that’s just the icing on the cake.  What is really special and unique is the heart of the people here.  They are like family to me.” 

Make the change. Send us your resumé today.