To coincide with our annual Young Executives feature, Supply House Times will spotlight a new PHCP-PVF young professional throughout the month. If you would like to be included or know of someone who should be included in our 2019 presentation, email Chief Editor Mike Miazga at miazgam@bnpmedia.com.
Wray Crane
Age: 29
Company: Bradford White Water Heaters (Ambler, Pennsylvania)
Position: Regional Sales Manager, South Central (6 years)
How did you get in the industry?
I started working at Bradford White as an order entry analyst shortly after graduating college. I worked as a landscaper during the summers throughout high school and college. As graduation approached my supervisor asked what I planned to do once I graduated. I told her I didn’t have the slightest clue. She suggested I introduce myself to the people at Bradford White, a company she would do the Christmas decorations for every winter. I told her I’d be more than willing, so she gave me a contact name I could ask for once I arrived. I put together my resume and drove to Bradford White to introduce myself a couple days later. I knocked on the front doors and the receptionist at the time let me in. I asked if the contact my supervisor had given me was available to talk.
Although perplexed, the receptionist hesitantly pointed me to where his office was. I shook his hand, introduced myself, gave him my resume and explained I was a new college graduate looking for an open position. He took a careful look at my resume, got out of his seat and told me to hold tight as he left the office. A few minutes later he came back with the order management manager and team leader who interviewed me on the spot. A couple months went by and I was called back for a second interview with the VP of sales where I was offered a position as an order entry analyst in heater sales. Since then I haven’t looked back.
What do you like the most about your job/company you work for?
I continue to have the privilege to learn from some of the best and brightest in this industry while working for Bradford White. As one of Bradford White’s newest regional sales managers, guidance is priceless. Not only I’m given the opportunity to learn from six other extremely talented regional sales managers and an entire business-development team, but I also have sound guidance from our national sales manager, VP of sales, president and COO and CEO. The willingness to teach and pass on industry knowledge from all levels at Bradford White is unmatched. The small company culture Bradford White harbors is the perfect environment for mentorship, growth and development, which is what I love.
How important do you feel it is to attract young professionals into this industry?
It always is exciting to meet other people in my age group from this industry because it’s so rare! There are so many opportunities for young people in this industry. I think it is important that we break industry stereotypes — especially in the high schools. Our high schools must encourage careers in the trade. We need to educate young people on what this industry has to offer. People who haven’t been introduced to the industry are blind to the opportunity.
