Bill Turner, 30
Vice President—Finance
World Electric Supply
Bill started at Sonepar USA as an intern on the corporate finance team the summer of his junior year of college at LaSalle University in Philadelphia. “I stayed with the organization in a part-time roll through graduation, working a few days a week between classes and was offered a full-time job directly out of school as an accounting and finance specialist,” he recalled. “Over the next five years, I worked in various roles within finance, overseeing several different accounting/finance processes from month-end closing consolidation, nonfinancial reporting, and mergers/acquisition accounting/project management. I ended my time with Sonepar USA as a finance and operations specialist focusing mainly on working capital management.”
Bill joined World Electric, a Sonepar USA operating company, in early 2022. He worked for a year as a finance manager before being promoted to his current position in February 2023.
“I arrived in electrical distribution through word of mouth,” said Bill. “I originally did not know much about the industry so there wasn’t any original appeal, but I was quickly attracted to the number of opportunities it can provide. I think it’s safe to say a lot of people in this industry are self-taught or learned through years of experience from working directly in it. I really believe that there isn’t a position in this industry that you can’t set yourself up for if you apply yourself and take the time to learn from others.”
Asked about one of the big challenges the industry is currently facing, Bill pointed to rising customer demands. “As a distributor, our end goal is to always ensure that the customers service expectations are satisfied. However, nothing comes for free,” he said. “Competing on margin levels while also increasing service levels in an economy of rising labor, real estate, and delivery costs, etc., can be extremely challenging. Finance is always working to ensure that both our internal teams and customers understand our cost to serve and the investments we are making to further strengthen our value proposition.”
Asked about career goals, Bill said “Being relatively new to the actual business side of the industry (as opposed to the corporate finance function), I still find myself learning a lot about the day-to-day business operations. Currently, I am focusing on ensuring any free time I have is spent learning the inner workings of the industry outside of the lens of the finance function.”
What would Bill tell someone new to the industry? “Take all opportunities to cross train,” he advised. “It’s something that I wish I was given the opportunity to do when I first joined the industry. Some of the learning opportunities out there offered by companies that take you through multiple levels of the organization and help you learn areas such as product knowledge, the supply chain of manufacturing/distribution, and how the various departments collaborate are invaluable.
“Apply yourself and allow yourself to learn on a daily basis,” Bill added. “This industry is filled with a ton of knowledge. Never think you know it all; you can always learn something.”
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bill spends his time away from work with his wife and daughter. “I also enjoy playing golf, watching sports (a Philadelphia 4 for 4 of course: Go Birds!), and we are huge amusement park fans,” he said.
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, World Electric Supply