David Chang, 35
Plant Manager
Atkore
David started his career in tube manufacturing and has been part of the electrical industry since joining Atkore nine years ago. “I was recruited to Atkore from the steel tube industry,” he recalled. “I started as an Atkore Business System (ABS) Lean leader before being promoted to value stream manager of our large mills in Harvey, Ill., which produce 2˝ to 4˝ EMT and IMC, as well as the torque tubes that support solar panel installations. From there I was promoted to my current role as a plant manager where we produce metal framing products and will be installing a brand-new galvanizing tube mill to support the solar industry.”
Asked what appeals to him about the industry, David said “It was immediately clear to me that Atkore intended to grow and that there would be plenty of growth opportunities. My first position gave me the opportunity to visit different plants and work on projects with multiple manufacturing processes. Learning about the different processes and how those businesses worked was exciting, and today is no different. Atkore continues to expand, which means more opportunities to grow as a professional.”
David pointed to labor when asked about a challenge currently facing the industry. “Recruiting, developing, and retaining employees is more critical in today’s competitive labor market than it has been in the past,” he explained. “Developing a work environment and culture that is attractive to current and prospective employees is a point of focus within our organization.”
Currently in the process of commissioning Atkore’s newest factory, which will be the company’s second largest in the United States, David’s immediate career goal is to establish this facility as the model facility within Atkore. “Opportunities like this don’t come along very often in one’s career and my focus has been making sure we have the right people on the team with the same collective vision,” he said. “Building and being part of a team that is capable, collaborative, and has trust in one other has been one of the absolute highlights of my career to this point.”
What would David tell someone just entering the industry? “Be a sponge, listen and learn as much as you can from those who have experience,” he said, adding “Be a team player, you never know when you’ll need the help of others.”
Outside of work, David can be found spending time with my wife and son. “I also enjoy obsessing over how good—or bad—my favorite sports teams are doing and working on my golf game,” he said.
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 2023 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
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