Next Gen All Star: Ethan Silverman

Top 20 Under 40 Plumbing Professional

2024 NextGen ALL-STARS Top 20 under 40 Ethan Silverman — *Image courtesy of Ethan Silverman*

How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?

ES: In addition to having six years of professional experience in our industry, I also worked here at General Pipe Cleaners for several summers as a factory worker, manufacturing much of the equipment that I am now selling. This factory experience has helped me to better understand the functionality of our equipment, which enables me to do my current job more effectively.

What drew you into the industry?

ES: After almost four years in Manhattan working in sales for a tech start-up, I proudly joined my family business as the first member of what is now three in the fourth generation.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?

ES: Knowing we are providing the best quality equipment and service to our customers. Getting calls from our customers still using machines from before I was even born is pretty awesome.

What motivates you every day?

ES: Opening the door for there to be conversations about our fourth generation family business becoming a fifth generation family business. For that to happen, we must continue to provide our customers with what got us to almost 100 years in business, while always looking to develop new and improved equipment.

What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?

ES: How vital this industry is for people to go about their normal lives. It is rare for someone to be appreciative of the people behind everything running smoothly until there is a situation that arises.

What has been the proudest moment in your career so far?

ES: Our navigation as a manufacturing company during the pandemic. We made sure as a team- with all that was out of our control during that time- to control what we could to navigate through that difficult stretch in the best way possible.

Given those circumstances, I am proud of how we maneuvered through it all.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

ES: I would rather see the Pirates win the next Pittsburgh Championship over the Steelers or Penguins.

Why he was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:

“As far back as he could remember, Ethan Silverman had always wanted to ultimately join the family’s business. But, to truly set himself and his family’s business, General Pipe Cleaners, up for success, Ethan chose to gain outside skills from a different company first to ultimately benefit his family’s business.

“Prior to joining General Pipe Cleaners, Ethan lived in Manhattan, New York, and worked at Yext, a technology company, where he won multiple sales awards and established himself as a top producer. By proving that he could benefit the family business by using his versatile business experience from Yext, he was able to earn a position at the company and incorporate his experience with the strategic direction of General Pipe Cleaners.

“While having served in multiple roles at General Pipe Cleaners, Ethan currently holds the title of customer service manager/assistant sales manager. In his dual role, Ethan serves as a liaison to General Pipe Cleaners’ biggest customers, including Ferguson Plumbing Supply, with which he has built an excellent rapport. Ethan tracks and communicates with the various accounts that he manages on a regular basis, providing superior care for his customers.

“The experience and knowledge of the plumbing and drain cleaning industry that Ethan demonstrates is evident as he interacts with General Pipe Cleaners’ customers and management team. He regularly displays this knowledge when attending and working at various industry trade shows that General Pipe Cleaners exhibits at, and customers have responded positively to seeing the ‘newer face of the company.’ He has also been an integral part of developing the sales and training videos that are regularly released.

“Ethan works closely with General Pipe Cleaners’ national sales manager, as well as other executives within the company, providing excellent insights on various corporate projects and decisions. During his tenure at General Pipe Cleaners, Ethan has also led the customer service department to success, winning multiple accolades in part to his knowledge of the plumbing and drain cleaning business, and his recognition in the industry. His ideas, drive and hard work have helped with product offerings, operations, office design and overall growth as a company.

“With the General Pipe Cleaners’ 100th anniversary approaching, the company is fortunate to have Ethan, a fourth-generation family member and key part of the team, to lead the company to this milestone and to success for generations to come.

“Ethan’s youthful yet knowledgeable insight into General Pipe Cleaners and the plumbing industry is unmatched, making him a formidable candidate for the Next Gen All-Star Top 20 Under 40 contest.” — Rosemarie Ascherl Lenhard

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Nicole Krawcke is the former Chief Editor of Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer magazines. She covered the HVAC and plumbing industries for BNP Media. She has more than 15 years of writing and editing experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University.