We’re catching up with our previous “30 Under 35” winners to see where they are now and how their perspective has changed since being named one of the rising stars of the electrical industry.
Today, we talk with Treavor Peterson, a 2013 honoree.
What is your current position?
Customer Supply Chain Manager, Border States Electric
What has been the reaction from co-workers and people in the industry to your “30 Under 35” award?
When Shane, Tony, Neil, Nick and I were selected back in 2013, we were the first employee-owners from Border States to receive this honor. With this, it was a very exciting time for our company to get this recognition. With the great culture of BSE, there was a tremendous amount of support and excitement from other employee-owners. It really reinforced the great values and family-like support we have at Border States.
What advice would you give young professionals about electrical distribution?
I really wouldn’t change the advice that I gave back in 2013, which was to… “Find your niche within the industry, find where your passion lies. And when you find what you’re passionate about, then work hard and dedicate yourself to that. If you do that, everything else will fall into place.” I would add that I’ve learned over the past few years that it’s really important to ensure others know what you stand for and what to expect from your leadership. I’ve been sharing my leadership philosophies more and more with others and that is Be Dedicated, Be Demanding, and Be Daring.
What recruiting advice would you give companies when it comes to hiring great, young talent?
I believe that are two very important aspects to this. First, the culture of the company needs to be conducive to the individual being recruited. It’s really important to recognize that the cultures of the company and individual must match. Second, the individual needs to clearly see what future opportunities within the company could be for them and know what experiences/skills are needed in order to obtain these opportunities.
How important was your mentoring (and reverse mentoring) when it comes to furthering your career?
Absolutely 110% critical! I wouldn’t have half the knowledge and experiences that I do without the great mentors I have. I feel extremely fortunate to have these mentors in my life as it has helped me grow tremendously, both professionally and personally. Mentorship has taught me numerous valuable life lessons. Because of this, I’ve been very focused over the last few years on being a better mentor to others, so they can hear about my experiences, learn from my mistakes, share insights with each other and much more.
What advice would you give to company leaders (c-suite) about working with Millennials?
I think my perspective is probably going to be a bit different than others. Most may cite all the characteristics and expectations that have been widely documented with this generation. What I would say is that at the end of the day, we are all people. Not every Millennial is going to fit the overarching characteristics of their generation. If we genuinely care for others (Millennial or not), then we will take the time to learn about those individuals. In doing this, we will uncover what is important to them and what truly makes them unique.
What do you see in the future of electrical distribution when it comes to technology and business practices?
No one knows the future, but one thing I know is that we can expect change. If we aren’t prepared or willing to adapt to change, then we will get left behind. To me, it’s not as much about the specific technologies, but rather how your company and your employees are prepared to change.
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