After more than 45 years of service to Stokes Electric Company, its customers and suppliers, Mike Lakin has decided to retire effective June 2, 2017.
According to Don Stokes, President & CEO of Stokes Lighting & Electric Co., Inc., “Mike has been a hardworking, effective leader, a loyal employee of Stokes Electric, and a stalwart of customer service. He has also been a respected member of the Knoxville business community and his church for more than 40 years. It is a rare and valued privilege when a company is fortunate enough to have been served by a person such as Mike.”
Subsequently, Richard E. “Rick” Scates has been appointed to the position of Vice President, Sales. Scates has 25 years of experience in the industry, 23 of those with Stokes Electric Company. He served in the warehouse, returns, inside sales, Commercial & Industrial, and residential counter sales in addition to key account assignments in both the residential and industrial businesses. Scates currently serves as a key account manager representing Stokes to residential builders and residential electrical contractors.
Stokes continued, “In making this choice, we wanted a person that ideally had experience with Stokes, knew all our markets, earned the respect of his peers, customers and suppliers and had the reputation of being a strategic thinking thought leader, while demonstrating an open mind and delivering on commitments.
“Rick met all those criteria, and was excited about the opportunity to lead our sales team. Please join me in congratulating Rick on this appointment.
“Mike Lakin has graciously agreed to work closely with Rick for the next three months to ensure that we execute current plans and continue to serve customers, suppliers, and employees to the best of our ability.”
Tagged with tED