Meet 20 women making a difference in the PHCP-PVF industry 2019
The results are our fourth annual look at some of the many women enjoying productive industry careers.
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 fourth 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.
List Overview, continued:
Bowden | Burgess | Caplenor | Cook | Doss | Fine | Hatfield | Hendricks | Hubach | Meade | Nardini | Roberts | Schmitt | Simonelli | Spain | Tallman | Taylor | Tofte | Williams | Zinckmoore
1. Cheree Bowden
Company: Falls Plumbing Supply (Idaho Falls, Idaho)
Position: Secretary of Treasurer and Outside Sales (12 1/2 years)
Cheree says: "TM Sales always has given me opportunities to move up in the company and always has believed in by abilities. TM Sales is not your typical corporate company. We are a family. We work together as a unit with common goals. This is not a job, it’s a career and a way of life."
Company: JABO Supply (Huntington, West Virginia)
Position: Actuation and Controls Manager (40 years)
Patricia says: “We have the flexibility to make decisions and adjust schedules, if necessary, to meet the needs of our customers."
3. Molly Rhea Caplenor
Company: American Bath Group (Santa Rosa Beach, Florida)
Position: Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships (2 years)
Molly says: "Find a mentor who has had a variety of experiences in the industry and one who maintains a healthy work/life balance. One of the greatest aspects about the women in our industry is the support we give one another. We root for each other, we help each other and we truly want each other to reach their fullest potential."
4. Stephanie Cook
Company: Northeastern Supply
Position: Director of Training and Safety (1 1/2 years)
Stephanie says: "Be open-minded to the many different types of positions available in the industry. Not everyone is out there ‘selling toilets.’ There are an array of opportunities within the industry that allow you to utilize and expand upon your skill set."
5. Sharon Doss
Company: The Tap of Kansas (Wichita, Kansas)
Position: Director of Internet Sales/Marketing Manager/Sales (3 years)
Sharon says: "Never doubt what you can achieve. Believe in yourself. Focus on your securities, not your insecurities."
6. Melissa Fine
Company: Interstate Pipe & Supply (Grove City, Pennsylvania)
Position: Assistant Manager (2 1/2 years)
Melissa says: "I feel my opinion counts when discussing different situations. Everyone in the company works as a team with the willingness to always help each other."
7. Krystal Hatfield
Company: OK Pipe & Fittings (Moscow, Texas)
Position: Chief Marking Officer/Sales (with the company since 2002)
Krystal says: "I am connected to the quality of every fitting that leaves the plant floor. From quoting the project to shipping to the end user, I am 100% invested in how these products are made so I can be confident how they will perform in the field."
8. Laura Mustee Hendricks
Company: E.L. Mustee & Sons (Cleveland, Ohio)
Position: Regional Sales Manager/Marketing Director (5 years)
Laura says: "Growing up, I was not planning on working for my family’s company forever. After two different sales positions outside the industry, I came back to the lure of profits and accomplishments. I have stayed because of the constant challenges I get to tackle and problems I get to solve."
9. Katie Hubach
Company: Signature Sales (Coronoa, California)
Position: Vice President (13 years)
Katie says: "I started in what I knew, accounting, but quickly gravitated to the sales side since I enjoy working with customers so much. My background still helps in running the business, but I am enjoying doing a lot more than debits and credits."
10. Jamie Meade
Company: Oliver Valves (Houston, Texas)
Position: General Manager
Jamie says: "My advice to a young woman who may considering joining our industry would be to find a mentor, someone willing to help you navigate in our great industry."
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 fourth 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.
List Overview, continued:
Bowden | Burgess | Caplenor | Cook | Doss | Fine | Hatfield | Hendricks | Hubach | Meade | Nardini | Roberts | Schmitt | Simonelli | Spain | Tallman | Taylor | Tofte | Williams | Zinckmoore
11. Chrissy Nardini
Company: American Metals Supply (Hazelwood, Missouri)
Position: President (22 years)
Chrissy says: “Distribution is fun and challenging, especially as we establish our relevance in this time of Amazon and other competitors. Finding the right company for a rewarding future is most important. Have an open mind and look for companies that will offer opportunity.”
12. Michelle Roberts
Company: LIXIL Water Technology Americas (Piscataway, New Jersey)
Position: Senior National Project Manager-Multi-Unit Dwellings (32 years)
Michelle says: "Do not be afraid of becoming part of the traditionally 'male-dominated industry.' It has changed and it is fantastic. If you like a challenge and want to be part of an industry that will keep you challenged over the span of your career, then plumbing is for you."
13. Jen Schmitt
Company: Schmitt ProfitTools (St. Louis, Missouri)
Position: President (23 years)
Jen says: "Although this is a family business, my parents were very supportive of me finding my own way in or outside the business. I have worked through almost every position in the company. Working my way up gave me a clear understanding of the challenges our team faces in their respective jobs."
14. Tricia Simonelli
Company: Mullen Corp. (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Position: Outside Sales (2 1/2 years)
Tricia says: "There is never a dull day. I enjoy conversing daily with new people as well as building relationships. To get to help with a project and see the outcome is a daily reward."
15. Judie Spain
Company: ROI Marketing (Millersville, Maryland)
Position: VP Operations (5 years)
Judie says: "If this industry piques your interest, by all means you owe it to yourself to join it. You will be successful doing something you like that challenges you."
16. Meghan Tallman
Company: KM Sales (Denver, Colorado)
Position: Office Manager/Order Management/Inside Sales (6 years)
Meghan says: "Be open-minded, treasure what you learn and run with it. There always will be struggles to overcome. Work hard and enjoy the journey."
17. Lindsay Taylor
Company: Rampart Supply (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Position: Marketing Director (11 years)
Lindsay says: "The longer I work for Rampart the longer the list gets of things I like about working here. Work-life balance is so important in today’s fast-moving environment and Rampart is an employer that understands just that"
18. Laura Tofte
Company: Auer Steel & Heating Supply (Plymouth, Minnesota)
Position: Director of Marketing (15 years)
Laura says: "Don Curtes, our CEO, is 82 years old and exudes more passion for this industry than anyone I have ever met. His energy is contagious. He pushes all of us every day to be our best and to never take our foot off the gas."
19. Jennifer Williams
Company: DDI System (Sandy Hook, Connecticut)
Position: Director of West Coast Operations, Inform ERP Software (5 years)
Jennifer says: "Don’t be afraid of change. While it can be difficult, change allows us to grow and be exposed to so many more things than we ever thought possible."
20. Donna Zinckmoore
Company: The Portland Group/Splash and Spritzo (North Billerica, Massachusetts)
Position: Director of Retail Operations (31 years)
Donna says: "So many people at The Portland Group have been with the company for years. This only reinforces the fact that if you treat your employees well, they will treat your company well."
