Voices of the Rising Stars
During the course of the selection process for the class of 2022 Top Women in Hardware and Building Supply, the official nomination forms received by HBSDealer told the highly abbreviated stories and shared pertinent career highlights of well over a hundred talented professionals whose best years in the business remain in the future.
The pool of candidates for the honorary title of “Rising Star,” included account reps, sales trainees, marketers, merchants, managers and even presidents. But more important than their titles, these women were making a difference in the day-to-day operations of their companies, and making positive contributions to the industry.
The nomination forms included specific phrases such as:
• “Always eager to help customers.”
• “People like her will bring the building materials industry to the next level.”
• “A champion of continuous improvement … she plays a significant role in driving a positive culture.”
• “Excels at seeking out what more could be done — and how we could do it better.”
The Rising Star award recognizes a talented professional with the potential to make a significant positive difference within her company and within the industry for years to come.
And in general, the sheer volume of submissions left no doubt that the talent in the industry is rising, along with these future stars.
The Chicago event featured the voices of many of the Rising Star honorees. Here’s some of what we heard:
Jessica Regan
Territory Sales Manager-Nashville, Cameron Ashley Building Products
“My biggest thing is I try to be a positive role model for those around me. I take a very servant leadership like approach to everything. I'm here to help you take better care of your customers, they get it. It takes a little time to develop it, but once you develop that relationship. They trust you, and they want you to come back, and I love that.”
Sadie Hammond
Director of Organizational Development, Hammond Lumber Co
“One thing I've been passionate about for the past few years has been employee engagement and satisfaction. I've taken that path, and opened up the conversation just around engagement. I think as a family business, it's been important to have these conversations going from generation to generation, and on, and continuing the legacy, the values that are important to us and make us who we are.”
Jailynne Jones
Account Representative, Metrie
“I knew coming in to my [current] company that I was going to do more than just do my job and go home. I know that there's a lot more that needs to be done, and especially within my own community. I was able to reach out to someone who works in the equal cultures committee, And they basically told me ‘Be the change. Be what you would like to see.’ And from that moment on, I just hit the ground running. Started off our first Juneteenth celebration this year. Really big turn out. We had food, barbecue. And I also started a black employee resource group as well for us to come together and find our group [in order to] just feel welcome and feel like we belong in any room.”
Barbie Jones
Inside Sales Manager, Brand Vaughan
“One thing I want to share is from Philippians 4:13: ‘I can do all things through He who strengthens me.’ Stay true to yourself, believe in yourself and learn from others.”
Olivia Martinelli
Special Project Coordinator, Lumbermen's, Inc.
“We’ve all heard the saying: ‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint.’ But I’ve had a mentor who has shown me that it’s really a series of sprints. So for someone like him and for someone like me, and for many others, being told to slow down can almost take the wind out of your sails. So for us, thinking about goals as a series of sprints allows us to feel comfortable when we’re checking things off our lists while achieving our personal goals and company initiatives. My best advice is to find out what motivates you, and motivates others around you, and that will lead to success and a better company culture.”
Gabrielle Sanchez
Assistant Fleet Manager, Alliance Lumber
“What I love about my job, even though I am a minority as a woman in a lumber company, is that I have always felt accepted, respected and appreciated. And I have also felt support for my personal growth from my colleagues. And they are the reason I’m here today. So thank you.”
