“People are always going to need clean water, heat, and a building that ‘just’ works,” Blair said. “It has always seemed like a good place to build a career, and it has been.”

That reliability doesn’t mean the work itself is predictable. In fact, he says the variety is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“Some days it's a homeowner, some days it's a distributor, other times it is one of our manufacturers,” Blair said. “The problem is different every time, and I still find enjoyment in finding the answer.”

That problem-solving mentality carries into each workday. Blair is motivated by seeing just how much can be accomplished in a day, embracing the challenge as a way to stay sharp.

“He has used his understanding of technology to drastically improve all aspects of the business," said Jeff Blair, Barclay Sales. "He implemented a paperless warehouse system in 2018, setup EDI with all major customers, and was a speaker on operational efficiencies for the AIM/R conference in 2022."

After more than a decade in the industry, Blair also wishes more people understood just how much of everyday life depends on PHCP-PVF professionals.

“Clean water, hot showers, heat in January. It's all behind a wall, that no one thinks about until something breaks,” he said. “There's a lot of skill and a lot of good people keeping that working quietly in the background.”

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For Blair, one of the proudest career milestones has been becoming a shareholder in the company; a particularly meaningful accomplishment after starting out physically moving product.

“Now I have a stake in where it goes,” Blair said. “Plenty of people built this business long before I showed up, and I don't take that lightly.”

Some of Blair’s most valuable lessons in logistics and negotiation haven’t come from the workplace at all. As a parent of three — including identical twin boys! — there are plenty of opportunities to practice both at home.