How Specifications Sales Manager Jim LeStage Uses His Industry Experience to Serve Plumbing Engineers
Without the passionate and talented people on our team, RWC wouldn’t be the respected plumbing manufacturer it is today. So we’re highlighting one of the people who help deliver solutions that make pros’ lives easier.
Today, we’re chatting with Jim LeStage, specification sales manager at RWC. Jim has been with us for 16 years and spends much of his time supporting the wholesale sales team as a product knowledge expert and promoting RWC products for specification inclusion.
1. Tell us about your role and who you serve.
As specification sales manager, I focus on the architect and engineer community, promoting RWC products for specification inclusion. Additionally, I leverage my expertise to provide guidance to architects and engineers as a trusted advisor to help them in overcoming challenges they may have in the design process. I also help our wholesale sales team promote RWC products to contractors and end users.
2. Tell us about your background and how you got to RWC.
I was a plumbing foreman in Southern California for nearly 10 years. I’ve worked on a variety of new construction projects including the University of California Riverside Pierce Hall Laboratory, the Riverside County Forensics Laboratory as well as several mid-rise multi-family projects. I was recruited to join HoldRite in 2006 as an estimator in new business development. Since 2006, I have moved on to field sales, calling on contractors at job sites to demonstrate HoldRite products. In the last three years, I moved from field sales to specification sales.
3. What unique value do you see RWC solutions provide to engineers?
What makes RWC products unique is that they are simple innovative solutions that help overcome design challenges. Simple features like HydroFlame firestop sleeves meeting the UL W rating out of the box, or the 117 No-hub pipe and fitting restraints providing a simple and easy solution to restrain hubless cast iron soil pipe, go a long way in supporting engineers’ goals.
4. What are some of the more challenging parts of your job? What do you enjoy the most about working with specifiers?
A challenging aspect of my job is keeping up with changes in the construction industry. I manage to stay current by staying connected to industry organizations such as the Construction Specifications Institute. What I enjoy most about working with specifiers, especially those who are beginning their careers, is their curiosity and willingness to learn about products and construction methods that will make their jobs easier.
5. As someone who works with engineers and specifiers regularly, how have you seen the industry evolve over time as well as their needs?
I have seen the industry evolve significantly over the last 20 years, especially with the introduction of new materials and methods. A key example of this is the transition from copper tubing to PEX as a primary choice for water piping and distribution in homes and multi-family projects.
6. How have you seen your work make an impact? Why is this work important to you?
One of the most significant impacts I make on an ongoing basis is facilitating the inclusion of RWC products in new construction projects. On several occasions I have been called upon to provide guidance and assistance to our wholesale sales team in situations where RWC products have not been included on projects. In these situations, I use my expertise and resources to get RWC products accepted as alternates or equals.
I believe this work is important to RWC’s mission as it paves the way to meeting our commitments to our distribution and contractor partners.
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