Tyke Markle, 35
Account Manager
Capital Electric, A Sonepar Company
Tyke joined Hagemeyer (now Capital Electric) after graduating from college. “It was in the right place at the right time,” he recalled. “One of my managers is a mutual friend of my in-laws. We met at a picnic and he told me about the sales management program. I was interested, so he connected me with the right people. When I went for the interview I flew from Pennsylvania to Charleston—I was 21 and it was my first time on a plane. I flew there and back the same day. It was a great experience.”
Tyke was brought on in the sales management training position, moved to a counter manager role, and then to his current position in outside industrial sales.
Now a veteran of the industry for more than 12 years, Tyke explained why electrical distribution continues to appeal to him. “It’s always evolving, always changing,” he said. “There’s always something new to learn, something new to show, something new to offer. I like being a ‘go to’ for people; when they don’t know where to find a product or who to go to, that’s our job. It’s good to be a resource for others.”
Tyke sees the aging workforce as the biggest challenge to the industry. “People are retiring from the electrical distribution industry, and electrical as a whole, so we are losing a lot of talent,” he explained. “I keep my ear to the ground and look for people who are interested or seem like they’d be good candidates and let them know we are always looking for good people.”
Looking forward, Tyke emphasized that hard work and patience are the keys to his future growth. “I once heard it said that ‘Sometimes it takes a long time to become an overnight success’ and that hit home for me,” he said. “It takes time to build relationships and knowledge. I try to ask questions and learn something new every day. Eventually, I hope to move into a management position of some sort, but for now, I really love what I’m doing and it’s hard to picture anything else.” And to someone just coming into the industry, Tyke advised: “Be patient. Learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Also, treat people how you want to be treated; it goes a long way with both co-workers and customers.”
Outside of work, Tyke keeps busy with his wife and two small children. “We’re outdoors kind of people,” he laughed. “If i can be hunting or fishing, anywhere in the woods or on the beach—put me outside and I’m happy.”
Each year tED magazine recognizes 30 of the industry’s best and brightest under the age of 35. Please visit tedmag.com/30Under35 for nomination information and updates about the 2021 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
Tagged with 2020 30 Under 35, 30 under 35