Seth Kirschner, 32
National Account Manager
Siemens
Seth joined Siemens in 2013 as an industrial engineering intern, but his first exposure to the electrical industry was in 2007. “I was doing some volunteer work for a local non-profit, wiring electrical receptacles and commercial equipment under the supervision of a licensed electrician,” he recalled. “The hands-on experience not only developed my practical skills but also sparked a lasting interest in the field, which later led me to pursue a degree in engineering.”
Seth first learned about Siemens while in college. “At the time, Siemens and Penn State University had a strategic partnership, so I was somewhat familiar with the name from seeing their equipment and gear in the classrooms and labs,” he said, adding “It wasn’t until a friend, a Penn State alumnus who had been working for Siemens for a few years, reached out looking for potential internship candidates that I really became more familiar with the company.”
After his internship, Seth joined Siemens’s Projects & Services Leadership Development Program, where he gained experience in various roles and functions, from strategy to business development, while advancing his leadership capabilities. “Following that, I led strategic initiatives, process improvement, and change management projects aimed at delivering specific business targets for the organization” he said. “Recognizing the value of experience in customer-facing roles, I transitioned to the position of online/alternate channel manager, where I worked on expanding Siemens’ presence in the dynamic online market through strategic partnerships.”
Over the course of his 10-plus years at Siemens, Seth has had the chance to work across six different business segments (metal technologies, large drives, factory automation, motion control, industrial controls, and low-voltage electrical products) and relocated five times throughout the country. Currently, as the national account manager for Lowe’s Home Improvement and Menards, he oversees all aspects of these partnerships, including corporate relationships, store operations, online channels, and projects with Pro Business accounts. “Given the varying geographic adoption of the National Electrical Code, along with the differing homebuilding styles and customer preferences, I enjoy the challenge of developing product assortment strategies that are tailored to the different markets throughout the United States,” he said.
Asked what drew him to the industry, Seth said “Siemens was particularly appealing to me because of its vast scale and the diverse range of opportunities. As a large international company, Siemens offers roles across various industries both nationwide and globally. The prospect of working abroad intrigued me, and I remain interested in exploring such opportunities in the future. I also appreciate that, regardless of the specific division—whether it’s building switchgear, industrial controls, healthcare MRI machines, or high-speed trains—I can always connect my work back to my interests in electrical in some way.”
On the topic of challenges or hurdles the industry is currently facing, Seth pointed to a growing interest among homeowners in energy awareness, understanding their electrical panels, and exploring smart features to enhance energy efficiency and reduce costs. “There is a rising trend toward smart homes with wireless connectivity for appliances, thermostats, and security systems,” he explained. “The latest smart home features are now integrating with the home’s electrical panel, allowing for real-time monitoring of energy usage, overload detection, automated load management, and proactive adjustments based on utility pricing or demand fluctuations. This integration gives homeowners significantly greater control over their utility bills, which is becoming increasingly important to new homebuyers. The challenge lies in keeping up with the evolving needs and wants of our customers, particularly with modernizing the deeply rooted electrical sector.”
“Siemens is dedicated to leading digital transformation in many industries” Seth continued. “For example, through the launch of our Siemens Intelligent Habitat (InHab) portfolio, we are providing customers with a new innovative suite of tools for residential energy management. Today, we’re seeing homeowners becoming more engaged with builders and contractors, willing to invest upfront for long-term savings, and existing customers seeking renovation solutions through retail. Whether it’s a customer looking for a load management solution to avoid costly service upgrades or someone simply trying to understand their energy usage to reduce utility costs, I’ve started to see the start of this evolution firsthand and gather insights and feedback to share within my organization. The close relationship between sales and our product development teams is key to ensuring that our solutions remain relevant and effective as our industry evolves.”
Looking ahead, Seth’s next career goal is to enhance his people and leadership skills through a sales management position. “To prepare for this, I am focusing on developing my leadership abilities and gaining experience in managing projects to refine my skills in driving sales performance and fostering a collaborative work environment,” he noted.
What would Seth say to someone new to the industry? “Say yes to every extracurricular and networking opportunity that you have available to you,” he said. “Yes to being a part of a special project, yes to leading a cross functional team, yes to every happy hour, yes to every ‘Hey do you want to grab lunch?’, yes to moving to a different part of the country for a temporary assignment. While everyone needs to find the right work-life balance for themselves, saying yes to these types of opportunities enables you to meet new people, learn different parts of your organization or business, develop new skills, and start building your network at a time when these types of opportunities are most available to you. Ten years and several different roles later, I still work with or keep in touch with several people that I met in my first few months at Siemens.”
Outside of work, Seth enjoys traveling the world with his wife, exploring new destinations and trying new cuisines. “I also enjoy playing tennis and other sports with friends on the weekends,” he added, “I’m a fan of boating, and any time spent on the water or at the beach.”
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, Siemens