Pat Swanson Electric Motor Specialist

In the one hundred years since Baldwin Supply started out in a one-room storefront, serving the needs of the flour mills of Minneapolis, to where we are today, offering a wide array of products and services to an incredible diversity of industries, we’ve come to understand that digging deeper and going the extra mile to solve problems for our customers is more than a matter of “value-added”—it’s a matter of staying true to the values that have led to our success as a company.

Q: What unique role do you fill at Baldwin? What is your area of expertise?

A: I’m responsible for those things that turn electrical energy in to mechanical energy… The Electric Motor. My official title is Motor Sales Product Manager. The motor industry can be a little intimidating… I help use my relationships with our 8 main vendors to get a timely competitive product to our diverse customer base.

Q: When did you join the Baldwin Supply team? How many years of experience do you have?

A: I joined Baldwin in November of 2016. I started in this industry back in January of 2000 with Dodge/Reliance.

Q: What types of relevant training have you completed to further help you in your current role?

A: Dodge/Reliance CAPT Program jump started me into the PT/Motor world back in 2000-2001. Since then I have participated in various sales training programs to include Franklin Covey, Dale Carnegie, as well as regular updates with all of our primary motor vendors.

Q: What led you to this career?

A: Tom Lee tricked me back in 1999 in an interview at UW Stout… ha ha ha… he was a great mentor in my early days as a Dodge guy. Once you’re in there really is no escape!

Q: Who influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?

A: I have taken bits and pieces from many people throughout my career… If I had to pick one person it would be Dan Young, we’ve followed each other through this madness over the last 20+ years and he’s talked me off the ledge so many times. Just be yourself, that’s what everyone wants to see anyway.

Q:What personality trait do you most attribute your success to and why?

A: My ability to find humor in almost every situation… if you can’t laugh, then what’s the point.

Q: What is one thing that surprised you about working at Baldwin?

A: Coming from Corporate America with constant reporting it was a breath of fresh air to be able to focus on the customer rather than the shareholders 

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at Baldwin Supply?

A: The people here are fantastic… great camaraderie between coworkers and management which makes the work fun… maybe a bit middle school at times… but that somehow keeps it real. (I’m sure they will have a field day with what I’ve wrote here)

Q: What is a work-related accomplishment that you are really proud of?

A: I enjoy helping others be successful… it may sound cheesy, but helping push the sale over the finish line on a big contract or helping size up a new motor/gear opportunity keeps my blood flowing.