Adam Breunig, 25
Project Manager
Viking Electric
Adam discovered Viking Electric at a college career fair in 2017 and worked as an intern while finishing his last year at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After graduation, he was brought on as an electrical distribution trainee at Viking’s Oshkosh, Wis., location, and promoted to project manager in September 2019.
“I love the different career paths the industry offers,” said Adam, when asked what appeals to him about electrical distribution. “As an intern I was able to spend time in sales, operations, marketing, etc. I enjoyed learning something new every day—and still do. I also really like seeing projects start from the ground up, and at the end of the job walking through the jobsite and seeing all the gear and fixtures that I was a part of.”
Adam pointed to lead time on products as a major problem the industry is currently facing. “When we are running into lead time issues, there really isn’t that much we can do,” he noted, “but I always let the customer know right away if we are going to run into problems so they can plan labor around it. Customers understand that there is a global supply chain issue, so it’s important to be up front with them and let them know right away that an item will be delayed.”
Looking ahead, Adam said his next career goal is to be an account manager and he is preparing by going on sales calls with other account managers to learn from them. Key to achieving this goal, he said, is “being a problem solver for customers when they have issues and being able to insulate them from the issues as much as I can. I strive to make their jobs easier by, for example, saving them time in labor by carting and kitting on jobs.”
To someone just entering the industry, Adam has this advice: “Be patient, take your time and learn the products, and make your customers’ jobs easy by eliminating headaches for them.”
Outside of work, Adam enjoys golfing, fishing, doing yard work, spending time with friends and family, and watching sports. “I’m an avid fan of the Packers, Bucks, Brewers, Badgers, Notre Dame Football, and Duke basketball,” he noted.
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 2021 30 Under 35, 30 under 35, people