Pete Wilhelms learned he was this year’s AWCI Distinguished Service Award winner when long-time friend and AWCI President Jeff Dreisewerd invited him to a video meeting to tell him the good news.
A Humbled Recipient
“It caught me by surprise,” says Wilhelms, vice president of marketing and product development of Negwer Materials Inc. “I’m honored to have all my peers recognize the work in this manner. I find it quite humbling at this point in my career.”
Decades of Dedication
Wilhelms’ volunteer work with the association spans several decades, starting shortly after attending his first AWCI Convention in 1995 in Nashville. Meeting with industry representatives from companies throughout the United States was an eye-opener and prompted him to get involved with AWCI’s then Construction Technology Council, now the Codes and Technical Council. He eventually joined the Supplier and Manufacturer Committee, serving as its chair in 2009, followed by the supplier representative post on the AWCI board of directors from 2010 to 2012.
A Voice for the Industry
Under the advisement of Steve Etkin, (former CEO of the AWCI) he joined the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry in 2006. “When Steve mentioned the list of industry leaders on the board, I told him, ‘I couldn’t turn it down.’” He’s always attended the meetings, gleaning much from others on the board. “I got value from what members were seeing in their parts of the country. I got kind of a heads up to be aware if they would come into our corresponding market service areas.”
Among his other volunteer citations is a role on the board of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) and as a member of its compliance committee. It came as the cold form steel industry was bringing production-enhancing products to the market. The problem was that some of the new steel products transferred some liability to installing subcontractors. “A few of us in the industry felt we needed an industry association that would include the whole industry, not just the manufacturers. That was partly why the SFIA was founded. I have always stayed active because I want to make sure that suppliers and contractors voices are heard.”
The Value of Experience
Wilhelms says he has never felt that he was volunteering in his various committee positions, nor did he come to them with a pre-set agenda. “I thought I was learning more about the products, the processes, building relationships in the industry and what value I could bring to our customers in the Midwest. All of that was a by-product of volunteering.” Wilhelms, who often says “experience is the best teacher,” admits he learns from other people’s experiences: “what not to do, what went well and what was successful. That’s what I think AWCI is all about, between the forum groups…the networking ability…I can’t understand why every company is not a member of the association.”
A Career at Negwer Materials
In his 43rd year at Negwer (an independent distributor in its 101st year of operation), he received the Distinguished Service Award at the AWCI’s Industry Leaders Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, in November. He started at Negwer part-time cleaning the warehouses when he was in high school. “I liked the big equipment, and I was so close to home I could ride my bike there.”
It was the early 1980s and the construction market in St. Louis was hot—a good time to launch a career in the field, so he took a full-time job after graduating from high school. Through his parents’ insistence he continued his education at night school, but his on-the-job education was a priority. The company provided a range of opportunities such as labor in the field, driving trucks and stocking drywall for jobs. “We were so busy I had to work on Saturdays and even a few Sundays.” He was quick to study. “That experience gave me full respect for our team…what they do every day and taught me to try to bring value to my positions.”
Pioneering Progress
Today, Wilhelms leads teams in marketing, product management, purchasing and IT applications. Product development is wide ranging, from finding labor saving products to improving electronic communication with customers. “My industry involvement gives me ideas on how to pursue that.
In the past two years we have undertaken to merge the company from three to one (new) ERP system, something that has been an amazing task for the entire company.” Wilhelms says like other cities, St. Louis faces a skilled labor crunch in the industry. Finding ways of reaching young people is seminal.
He highlights an outreach initiative through the Foundation of the Wall and Ceiling Industry board (he is the board’s president) where students from a local trade school or college are invited to the BUILD: AWCI’s Convention + Expo. It is a meet, greet and learn opportunity for both the students and delegates. “We hope it gets members thinking about trying to do their own marketing recruitment in their areas.”
He applauds AWCI for initiatives such as the Emerging Leaders Program, and its focus to attract women to the field. Wilhelms, whose oldest daughter is a customer service rep at Negwer, advises the younger generation in the industry to participate in programs and committees. “Listen to people with experience. A lot of times young people want to listen to AI models…to learn things and it does help explain challenges but there is nothing like that human relationship to learn from. It is a key ingredient to success.”
Making the World Better
Scott Negwer, president and CEO of Negwer Materials, has known Wilhelms since he started at the company 43 years ago. He is not surprised he won the AWCI Distinguished Service Award. “It was obvious early on that Pete was very motivated and committed to continuous learning. He understands the value of being involved in our industry, not for himself personally, but for business and the industry overall. He’s all-in and committed to constant improvement…and he knows that things get done through industry events.”
Calling Wilhelms his right-hand person, Negwer says he “is an engaged person trying to make the world better. I know that sounds silly but that really is where Pete lives.” While some observers might see the award as a precursor to retirement, successorship plans might be a few years away for Wilhelms. “I’m proud of our company (Negwer) and I still love coming to work. Through all the years my wife of 30 years Debbie, and three daughters have been so supportive of my career and involvement in the industry and that support has contributed to this recognition. I am truly a lucky man.”
Don Procter is a freelance writer from Ontario, Canada.
