Women in Electrical Wholesale
Q&A with Kathy Ferland, Branch Manager, CES Port St. Lucie
Kathy Ferland is the CES Port St. Lucie branch manager in Florida, where she oversees the branch’s day-to-day operations. She started out in counter sales at City Electric Supply in 1999. Kathy’s specialty began and remains in customer relationships – helping them complete their orders and ensure they are getting the best service from beginning to end.
In about a year, Kathy’s position excelled from counter sales to stores manager. And in 2006, she was promoted to branch manager.
In honor of American Women’s Business Day, we had a chat with Kathy to reflect upon her contributions and accomplishments since she started working for CES.
CES – What is your role as a branch manager for CES Port St Lucie?
Kathy – My day-to-day tasks include the branch operations. I overlook the store manager, and I also do over the counter sales. I oversee the warehouse, gather quotes for customers, collect money from customers, and make sales calls to customers.
CES – What do you like about your accomplishments since you started with CES?
Kathy – When I started at CES, I knew there was opportunity for growth and advancements. I knew that if I worked hard at what I did, I could become a store manager. I then became store manager after my first year.
CES – What do you look forward to mostly in your job? Why do you do what you do?
Kathy – What I like about CES is the people, and our customers. I’ve made a lot of good friends because of our customers, I enjoy the work environment because we are a people business. We are dedicated to our customers and work hard to make sure they know that we appreciate them. We thrive because our customers tell other people about CES – which make up for new accounts. This is how we grow, because our customer service is our strong quality.
CES – What are some highlights and challenges you experienced before you started at CES?
Kathy – I used to work in the electrical field. I left because I knew I wasn’t going to advance there. When I came here, there was opportunity for growth and plenty of chances to do so. You have to work hard and learn about the all our products in order to succeed in sales. It’s a good company to work for and knowing about what you sell is beneficial. Before CES, I got my journeyman’s card and worked in electrical trade, but I decided to work for a place that I knew I would grow.
Kathy’s sister Debbie Sheridan, also works for CES. She is the branch manager for CES Phoenix North, in Arizona. Debbie was the lucky winner of the 2016 North American Managers Conference (NAMC) CES camo van.
CES Port St. Lucie’s biggest markets are split between residential and commercial sales. Kathy added that there are plenty of opportunities for employees at CES, and believes hard work is paid off.
“Since I remember, Mr. Mackie had Thomas with him all the time,“ Kathy said. “The business is very family oriented, and I appreciate that because I have family at CES,” Kathy said.
She looks forward to what the new year will bring CES Port St. Lucie, and given the opportunity, she aspires to become a future group manager.