Leigh Ann Moltz, 32
Senior Marketing Manager
City Electric Supply Co.
January marked Leigh Ann’s eighth anniversary with CES. “My title and responsibilities have grown and changed many, many times since I was brought on to manage social media in 2015,” she said. “The company has seen immense growth in that period, and by that same token, I’ve benefited a lot through the opportunities that growth and change have provided.”
Leigh Ann’s entry into the industry was not unlike many others. “I believe that, like most marketers in this business, I just kind of fell into the electrical wholesaling industry,” she recalled, calling the series of events that led to her 2015 interview with Chief Marketing Officer Thomas McShane “fortuitous and unlikely.”
“I specifically recall a pivotal three-day whirlwind,” she explained “First, there was a grueling loss by Baylor University in the playoffs. That was followed by the proposal of my now husband (who works for Klein Tools—we really do love this industry!). Then, on Jan. 2, in an early morning interview, I accepted a job with CES.”
Leigh Ann remembers not knowing what to expect when she walked into CES for that interview. “While I had many years of marketing experience with an international franchisor, I didn’t even know ‘electrical wholesaling’ was an industry. So, I had a steep learning curve,” she recalled. “I was bitten by the bug very early on and have never looked back. I am passionate about the construction industry in general and the customers and employees I get the opportunity to serve each day. I’m also equally passionate about small businesses. CES is the closest thing to a franchise model (sans the risk) I’ve been exposed to. It’s a special company full of special people, and I’m both honored to serve and inspired by our team every day.”
It’s that small business culture “driven by the autonomy our branches operate with and the excitement and passion the team exhibited,” that continue to appeal to Leigh Ann. “So many of the people I met on my first day in the office are my colleagues today. To see that kind of tenure in a largely young department is highly unusual—early-career employees tend to make lots of moves while they figure themselves out. But CES is different. People just don’t leave here once they land; they build careers.”
Asked about a challenge the industry is currently facing, Leigh Ann pointed to talent acquisition. “Acquiring talent is a huge challenge I believe all industries are facing,” she explained. “Our business is growing so rapidly right now, and to keep up with that demand, we need great people—and great people are in high demand. It’s important to be patient and not just ‘put a body in a seat,’ so we’re focused on maintaining culture and quality, so the highest caliber people want to join this team. I believe that one great employee is more valuable than five average ones.”
Leigh Ann added that, generally, there is less interest in joining the trades. “The term ‘trade crisis’ has been in our vernacular for over a decade,” she noted. “As a business, we’re supporting and doing what we can to encourage young professionals to consider a trade career and help build early loyalty with CES as their chosen distributor. The marketing department helps many of the branches that attend career fairs and speaking opportunities in their local education systems; we often leverage partnerships with some of our tool partners to help with the initial investment of just acquiring the tools to get the job done.”
As for her next career goal, “That’s a hard question!” said Leigh Ann. “I don’t necessarily think any of my goals are ‘career’ goals but more evolutionary milestones. What I’ve discovered about CES is true in all areas of the business, not just marketing: You get out of it what you put into it. There are so many projects that I’m starting and so many projects that I want to start, and I know that I have the support of my manager and the business to see a need and meet a need. We’re not overly burdened with bureaucracy, so no matter your position or expertise, if there’s something you want to sink your teeth into, you can!”
What would Leigh Ann tell someone just entering the industry? “It’s worth it,” she said. “For a marketer specifically, there are some truly sexy industries out there—technology, entertainment, sports, fashion, travel, etc. Marketing belongs in all of them. And for those early career employees, the glitter in your eyes for being in one of those spaces is often blinding. The construction industry, especially electrical wholesale, is rife with technology and design. It’s growing and changing, it’s a massive economy, there are huge opportunities, and, frankly, the very best people. It’s worth it. And you’re lucky to have found it.”
When she’s not at work, Leigh Ann enjoys spending time with her girls—ages two and four. “They keep me incredibly busy and extremely tired! The opportunity to raise them is by far my greatest accomplishment,” she said. “We live on acreage, so we have horses, a donkey, some chickens, a couple of cats, and dogs—the Moltz Farm—as my colleagues refer to it. But in truth, anyone who makes a living in agriculture would be offended; it’s just a money pit that we love. My oldest has started riding and showing horses, and I am so thrilled to share that passion with her. We love spending time outdoors and do a lot of camping. Generally, we just like adventures! There’s not a lot of TV in our house…except Bluey. If you know, you know!”
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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