Laura Alarcon, 35
Finance Operations & Analytics Manager
Capital Electric
When Laura started with Capital Electric six years ago, it was her introduction to the electrical distribution industry. “When my previous employer moved locations, I began looking for a new opportunity,” she recalled. “Capital was hiring for a data analytics role, and I had an interest in the electrical industry since my dad is very involved in the construction industry. When I interviewed for my role, it only increased my interest and desire to become part of the electrical distribution industry. When I was hired, I saw the passion employees had for the work they performed and the value they brought to the customers. As I started to learn more about how our products and services impact our customers, it only increased my passion for the company.”
Starting as a business data analyst, Laura was then promoted to data analytics manager, where she became a people manager after two-and-a-half years and began building the company’s data analytics division from the ground up. “I recently received my second promotion to my current role as finance operations and data analytics manager, leading three additional teams,” she added.
“As I continue to grow in my role and learn more about the industry through interactions with customers, vendors, and industry colleagues at NAED conferences, I have become more passionate about helping my company grow and seeing the industry change, and how I can participate in both,” said Laura. “I really enjoy taking complex data sets and putting them into a format that colleagues can easily understand and utilize it to make educated business decisions. I also enjoy the change management aspect of my role and utilizing my understanding and technical skills to help others understand the impact of digital transformation and make the change easier.”
Asked about a current challenge or hurdle, Laura pointed to the language barrier across Capital’s footprint. “We operate in territories that have a strong Hispanic influence,” she explained. “Within Capital, I act as a liaison to help translate certain documents, promotional information, and outreach to the Hispanic community. This has made a significant impact on our company as we continue to focus on hiring bilingual employees at our branch locations and aligning with Sonepar’s Purpose [which encapsulates the long-term objectives of Sonepar’s business by defining six bold commitments by 2028 around continuous education, sustainable customer journey, product circularity, gender balance, and communities].”
Laura explained that a career goal is to move to a role that will allow her to take her skills and knowledge that she gained in the past years to the next level from a strategic and leadership standpoint. “I want to continue to use my skills to add value to not only Capital’s strategies, but also the people around me,” she said. “I’ve been positively impacted by mentorships, and providing the same level of mentorship and helping to grow successful careers for my team and others is now part of my career goals. I’m preparing for it by constantly getting out of my comfort zone, taking new opportunities when they are presented to me, having significant business conversations with colleagues and members of the executive/management teams, participating in business review meetings, and creating analytics that help drive our current and long-term strategic initiatives.”
What would Laura tell someone new to the industry? “You don’t need to know everything,” she said. “It’s a very stable industry. Be patient with yourself with all the changes going on in the industry (digitalization, product knowledge, change management), and don’t let that deter you from being part of the industry. Take advantage of internal/external resources as well as NAED opportunities.”
Outside of work, Laura is a mom to her six-year-old daughter and spends time “taking her to different philanthropic activities and teaching her the importance of giving back to the community,” she said. “I am also highly involved in community activities, enjoy trying new restaurants and different cultures, attending concerts, and spending time outdoors with my family in Virginia.”
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 2026 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
Tagged with 2025 30 Under 35, 30 under 35, Capital Electric, people