Rob Ruys, Regional Manager, Thomas & Betts / ABB LVP British Columbia & Mid West

Feb 26, 2016

Which would it be? NHL referee or journeyman electrician?

Both career options gave Rob Ruys an appreciation for our Canadian prairie winters, but once he was done his apprenticeship training and set his referee gear aside, it didn’t take long for Rob to realize that his back-up career plan as an electrician also held numerous opportunities within our industry in sales and management.

At the time, Rob didn’t appreciate how valuable his referee background would come to be in the years that have followed. Having thick skin as a hockey official has helped him develop as a salesperson and manager in our industry.

After a few years in sales with Westburne Saskatoon, and few more with Humboldt Electric as an estimator and project manager, Rob joined Thomas & Betts as an industrial sales rep for Saskatchewan.

Soon after he was transferred to Calgary as sales rep for T&B industrial. The larger market in Alberta was interesting with a good number of major players and big projects for him to work with and for.

Eight fast years later he moved to Winnipeg and became the Mid-West District Sales Manager. Being a new manager gave him the opportunity to develop new skills and learn how to deal with business on a different scale as well as become a team leader and grow the business.

Although the Mid-West is where this all started for Rob, being in British Columbia for the past three years as Regional Manager has provided great experience and he feels at home there.

As he was very involved in other provincial associations, Rob stepped up into this new role as a BCEA board member and has enjoyed the challenge and enjoys being part of great team. “The BCEA is the go-to group for education and training, supply chain values, social and sporting events and the place to be in our growing industry.”

This article was first published in the January 7 issue of PowerUP, a weekly newsletter published by the BC Electrical Association: http://www.bcea.bc.ca. The article has been lightly edited.