Mason Coudron, 31
Supplier Program Manager—Electrical
DSG
Mason joined the industry in January 2017; six years later he joined DSG. “I started in the industry right out of college, based on a recommendation by a college professor that spoke very highly of it and specifically the ownership structure of the company I joined (an ESOP),” Mason recalled. “At the time, I had no idea what the industry was, nor the variety of opportunities that were available, but I knew I wasn’t going to save for my own retirement at 22 with a car I needed to replace. Why not let someone else do it for me?”
Mason has spent his entire career primarily in supply chain/procurement role, directly or indirectly. “The majority of my time has been spent in a supplier relations and category management role,” he said. “I’ve held different responsibilities but have always managed supplier-backend rebate agreements and focused on supplier partnership and mutual partnership and mutual profitability.”
Mason explained what he noticed right away: “If you are willing to put in extra time, volunteer for projects, and/or are willing to show up and care about making the business and industry better, you will have opportunities that present themselves, “he said. “Those varieties of opportunities continue to appeal to me, as I still am not sure what I want to be when I grow up.”
Asked about a challenge the industry is currently facing, Mason pointed to the volume of legacy businesses. “It is mainly demographic, the knowledge of the generations that came before us is getting lost,” he explained. “The phrase that people my age often hear in one variation or another is ‘We have always done it this way.’ That phrase is often heard with an implied eye roll by the younger generation. What isn’t being translated is why we have done it that way, and how do we improve that ‘it’ for this generation while continuing to partner with our customers in the way they want to build their businesses. We need greater partnerships with the people who know and understand what the industry is today and used to be and can help guide the innovation and fresh ideas from the new generation that is choosing to build the industry of the future.”
Looking ahead, Mason noted that “I don’t really have a ‘next career goal’ other than continuing to work on building sustainable partnerships with both our company’s employee owners and our supplier partners to grow our business into the future. Wherever that takes me, I am all for it!”
What would Mason tell someone just entering the industry? “Volunteer for projects outside of your core responsibilities, go into the office every day, and try hard,” he said. “Signing up for special projects and helping wherever you can will get you more opportunities to learn and give you variety in your day. Go into the office and build relationships with your coworkers—you’ll be amazed what you will learn about the business and life from someone who has 20 years of experience. Trying hard will help you more than in your professional life—it will help you stay healthy, build relationships outside of work, and keep life moving forward. If your coworkers see you trying, they will be willing to help you when you need it.”
Outside of work, Mason enjoys doing anything active. “I play hockey, ski, golf, and enjoy the opportunistic hike,” he noted. “I also enjoy traveling anywhere and everywhere that will have me.”
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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.
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