Mike Standish, 34
Director of Sales
Lester Sales Company
Mike has been in the electrical industry for 12 years and at Lester Sales Company—where he has held three different roles—for six years. “I was brought in to be a product specialist,” Mike recalled. “After a year, I was asked to manage our sister company, Archer Lighting. After that agency closed in 2020, I took on the responsibility for the lighting business of our agency and one of our industrial manufacturers.”
Mike explained that he arrived in the industry in a manner he believes is the most common: accidentally. “I started at Purdue University planning to pursue engineering, but after struggling through my first year, I changed majors to construction management,” he said. “My first job was with a large, regional electrical contractor—simply because that was the best offer I received after graduation. From there I spent a few years in distribution, briefly worked as a utility rebate specialist, and then moved to Lester Sales.”
Asked what he continues to find attractive about the industry, Mike said, “it’s essential to the future. As the world continues to develop, the need for electricity, infrastructure, and automation will only compound. Specifically, in the US, we’re approaching a time where the working class will shrink, relative to other age groups, which means companies and individuals will need to increase their output. That requires electrification and automation.”
Mike pointed to the aging workforce when asked to identify a major challenge for the future of the electrical industry. “We identified in 2022 that two-thirds of our agency was over the age of 45,” he said. “All those years of experience, relationships, and knowledge are crucial to our success. Our goal now is to bring younger talent into the agency and create avenues for those seasoned veterans to mentor, coach, and share their wisdom,” he continued. “I’m fortunate to be a part of that solution.”
Looking ahead, Mike explained that he isn’t looking for a new position or title. “My goal is to help our business transform for the next 30 years,” he said. “In my six years here, we’ve become an ESOP, doubled our headcount to over 70 employee-owners, and now operate in 12 states, and we’re still growing. That growth has stretched our agency and we’re having to reinvent processes, systems, and procedures that fit our current size and account for future growth. As we grow, we continue to face new challenges, like integrating a newly acquired agency or adapting our benefits package to meet the needs of a changing workforce.”
Mike has two pieces of advice for someone new to the industry: The first is to find great people to work alongside. “I’m blessed to be a part of an organization with great people who genuinely care for one another. There is no substitute for those types of quality relationships in life,” he said. His second piece of advice: “Stay diversified in reading, learning, and hobbies because there are lessons to be learned in every area of life,” he said. “If you follow your curiosity, you’ll find principles that will translate into the business setting.”
Outside of work, much of Mike’s time is spent with family and friends. “I have three kids under the age of eight and I try to attend all of their school events as well as coach their sports teams,” he said. “Aside from that, I enjoy playing golf and exercising. My wife and I bought a home two years ago that we’re renovating (all the way down to the studs). We’re also very involved in our local church.”
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 2025 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
Tagged with 2024 30 Under 35, 30 under 35, people