Women are making a difference in the success of PHCP-PVF companies throughout our industry. Supply House Times asked our industry partners to tell us about these difference-makers. The results are our second annual look at some of the many women enjoying productive industry careers and their thoughts on their current positions, how they broke into the business and their advice for young women considering a career in the industry.
1. Denise Brown
Company: Ferguson Enterprises (Newport News, Va.)
Position: VP Change Management & Organizational Alignment (29 years)
Denise says: “This is an industry that welcomes, respects and needs strong, capable women. You can be successful as a tradesperson, or in sales, management, finance and human resources — the opportunities truly are endless.”
2. Dixie Buck
Company: Kelly Pipe (Santa Fe Springs, Calif.)
Position: Sales-Houston Office (14 years)
Dixie says: “One of my mentors told me a long time ago, “I wake up every day excited to sell pipe. His and others’ enthusiasm was contagious. This is an exciting, rewarding and fun job.”
3. Dalyn Cantrell
Company: Viega (Wichita, Kan.)
Position: Vice President-Sales & Marketing (33 years)
Dalyn says: “Personally, I would have changed my career path a long time ago had it not been for the wonderful people in this industry. I hope young women can appreciate the opportunities that are available and take advantage of the incredible experience of the many mentors that call this industry home.”
4. Kim Disandis
Company: Hajoca Corp. (Ardmore, Pa.)
Position: Midwest Region Manager (7 months)
Kim says: “As a young woman starting their career, you will be given an opportunity to dream about possibilities and turn them into reality. I am having fun living into my dream every day and you can, too!”
5. Karen Fox
Company: Keeney Mfg. (Newington, Conn.)
Position: National Sales Manager-Commercial (25 years)
Karen says: “I like the flexibility in my career at Keeney to grow. Ned Atkins (Keeney VP-Commercial Sales) once described my career as ‘an open-ended pyramid’ and that my opportunity only was limited by me.”
6. Stacie Frisch
Company: First Supply (La Crosse, Wis.)
Position: DC/Warehouse Process & Transportation Management (12 years)
Stacie says: “I’ve found the challenge of being a female in a male-dominated industry a rewarding experience. Don’t look at the industry solely as wholesale-distribution. Opportunities are plentiful from sales and marketing to finance to supply-chain management.”
7. Andi Funk
Company: Cambridge-Lee Industries (Reading, Pa.)
Position: CEO (5 years)
Andi says: “This might not be the first industry that crosses the mind of a young woman starting out her career, but there’s a need. You can make a difference and can have fun doing it.”
8. Susan Greenway
Company: American Pipe & Supply (Birmingham, Ala.)
Position: IT Manager (15 years)
Susan says: “It is good to know if you work hard and want to advance, you will have opportunities. It may look like a man’s world, but don’t let that stop you. There many opportunities if you are willing to learn the business.”
9. Sharon Lewis Inza
Company: F.W. Webb (Bedford, Mass.)
Position: Account Manager, Industrial Sales (22 years)
Sharon says: “I love solving problems. I always am learning new things and derive great satisfaction when we provide solutions for our customers’ industrial needs.”
10. Karen Meyers
Company: Rheem (Atlanta)
Position: Vice President, Government Affairs (20 years)
Karen says: “I realized over the years women like myself can bring a different perspective to the table, including how products are made to improve the quality of life in households across the nation.”
11. Julie Miller
Company: Jomar Valve (Warren, Mich.)
Position: Marketing Manager (4 years)
Julie says: “This industry can be demanding, but the rewards are that much more satisfying because of it. The thing I like most about Jomar is the variety of tasks that are challenging and rewarding.”
12. Betsy Miner
Company: Hulbert Supply (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
Position: President, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid locations (31 years)
Betsy says: “There is no limit how far a woman can go in this industry. There are so many resources available with ASA and the Women in Industry group. My advice is to learn as much as you can and work your way up the ranks. There are endless opportunities.”
13. Whitney Morgan
Company: Harry Warren (Orlando, Fla.)
Position: Director of Showroom & Designer Sales (6 years)
Whitney says: “It wasn’t until college when I learned about luxury plumbing that I considered joining the family business. I interned for a faucet manufacturer in college and loved the design aspect, but ultimately sales is in my blood.”
14. Tiffany Moscicki
Company: Hart, Travers & Associates (Lombard, Ill.)
Position: Principal/Inside Sales (11 years)
Tiffany says: “It’s easy to love what you sell, but when you build new friendships at the same time it makes the job all the more rewarding.”
15. Sheri Newman
Company: Lion Plumbing Supply (Miami)
Position: Purchasing Manager (28 years)
Sheri says: “My mom and mentor (Joyce Birth) is our office manager. I came to help her out with filing papers and answering phones when I was 17. I wasn’t planning on staying long, but very happily, 28 years later, here I am.”
16. Tiffany Rhen
Company: Penn Machine (Aston, Pa.)
Position: Midwest Sales Representative (15 years)
Tiffany says: “Penn Machine has been by my side through every step of life’s great adventures. I started working here when I was 18 and they have helped me grow into the woman I am today.”
17. Johnette Rosenbalm
Company: TWC The Valve Company (Stafford, Texas)
Position: President (2 1/2 years)
Johnette says: “This industry is exciting because it impacts the world. There is a place for all skill sets from engineers to entrepreneurs and especially leaders.”
18. Amy Souders
Company: Winsupply (Dayton, Ohio)
Position: Plumbing Marketing Manager-Finished Goods (11 years)
Amy says: “Working with the local companies and our vendors to sell more is a dream job. Every day is something different. I have an opportunity to help solve problems for people and make a difference.”
19. Julie Storey
Company: Boshart Industries (Milverton, Ontario)
Position: Senior VP Sales & Marketing (25 years)
Julie says: “If you want to learn a lot, meet great people and be positively challenged each day, this (industry) is the opportunity for you.”
20. Barbara VanderMolen
Company: A. O. Smith (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Position: VP, Finance-North America, India, Europe and Export Business Group (8 years)
Barbara says: “We’re working with teams around the world that are tackling unique problems and developing unique solutions, and yet the principle behind it all is universal: people need hot water.”
