Meet Jennie Hampton, the Central Regional Sales Manager at PEI-Genesis. Covering a vast territory from Ohio to Texas, Jennie brings a unique perspective on business practices' cultural and historical impacts, thanks to her diverse background.
Jennie graduated with a degree in History and Theology, focusing on imperialism and colonialism, mainly in relation to British India. Her education taught her to consider multiple points of view, appreciate diversity, ask questions, and dig for information.
After earning her degree, Jennie moved to Vermont and worked in the retail industry, where she developed her people skills, mastered sales techniques, and gained valuable insights into customer satisfaction. She then worked for a wire and cable manufacturer in customer service and eventually became an inside sales manager.
In her next role, Jennie gained experience in product management and business unit management with P&L responsibilities. She realized she missed having her own team and began searching for a new role. Jennie was drawn to PEI-Genesis for its values. “The ICARE values really do permeate everything we do,” she said. “From the beginning, I felt like my voice was heard, and I could truly make a difference. The supportive and collaborative environment truly represents PEI's culture.”
Jennie joined PEI-Genesis in January 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It was challenging because she couldn’t connect with customers, suppliers, or her team in person, relying instead on video calls. “At the end of the day, we all grew and learned from this experience and came out stronger for it,” Jennie said.
Recognizing the limitations of remote engagement, PEI expanded its presence into Fort Worth, Texas, in 2023 to better support its customers. “We are thrilled to be here in Fort Worth. At PEI, we know we can do great things for our customers, especially in the military, aerospace, and defense sectors,” Jennie shared.
Jennie continuously strives to expand her team and support the growth of her current members.
She finds the diverse central region exciting, with its many different markets and industries. The most exciting development for her is electrification.
“The automotive industry is at the forefront of our minds, especially considering the central region includes Detroit and the Maquila region in Texas, which supports manufacturing across the border. Significant changes in Mexico as the big three auto manufacturers commit to reaching carbon neutrality by 2040, along with independent manufacturers like Tesla pushing the limits of design, highlight the need for changes in our grid to support the advancement and evolution of electrification. Electrification is moving into everything—from cars to agriculture, heavy vehicles, trucks, buses, and even air taxis. Our world will look very different in 50 years,” Jennie said.
Outside of work, Jennie enjoys hiking, reading science fiction and fantasy novels,
and spending time with her family. Jennie’s daughter is at the age where everything is so new and exciting. “She can pick up a leaf and look at it like it’s the coolest thing in the world,” Jennie joked.
Over the years, Jennie traveled extensively and valued her study abroad experience in Istanbul, Turkey, due to her love of history. “The U.S. is so young, but some of these countries are thousands of years old,” she said. “This makes some people feel small, but I feel more connected to the world than ever.”
With her love for travel, history, and books, it comes as no surprise that the top three items on her bucket list are:
- Visit the 7 new wonders of the world (she’s already seen the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum).
- Learn to fly a plane.
- Publish a fantasy novel.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jennie emphasized the importance of seeking assistance and embracing vulnerability. “When you have people around you that have different experiences, there’s power in being vulnerable,” she shared. “Asking others for help signifies strength and fosters growth. It’s not practical to do everything yourself; someone else might have a better way of doing things.”
