Employee Perspectives
Each of us at Sherwin-Williams has a role in embracing and driving diversity. As an organization, we value and celebrate a wide spectrum of individuals who are passionate about the work they do and are eager to share their perspectives and talents. Please take a moment and read what a few of our employees have to say:
Alvin Partridge, Management Training Program
After acquiring both an undergraduate degree and an MBA from Tennessee State University, one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Alvin became aware of the Management Training Program after stopping by the Sherwin-Williams booth at a career fair. He joined the company as a Management Trainee in Nashville, Tennessee and then relocated to Kissimmee, Florida where he became an Assistant Branch Manager at an Automotive location.
After a year with the company, Alvin began looking for advancement opportunities. He was recently promoted into the position of Production Inventory Analyst at our Fernley, Nevada plant outside of Reno. Alvin confesses that he, “dreams about the supply chain.” In fact both his undergraduate and graduate degrees are in supply chain management. Moving across the country was a big step for Alvin, but he says that the support he received from the Company and his coworkers made the transition much easier.
When asked about the most important lesson he has learned, Alvin said, “Once you get your foot in the door and do your job well, you can pretty much go wherever you want at Sherwin-Williams.”
Nathan Bayton, Emerging Leader Program
Nathan Bayton has “big dreams.” His determination, coupled with the support provided through Sherwin-Williams’ training programs and on-the-job experiences, undoubtedly explains why he is considered an Emerging Leader and is certainly the main reason he has advanced within the Company.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University, an HBCU, Nate contacted a recruiter from Sherwin-Williams who was on campus. In November 2000, Nate entered Sherwin-Williams’ well established Management Training Program (MTP). Nate’s first assignment was as an Assistant Manager in Chesterfield, Virginia, and in 2003 Nate was promoted to Store Manager. In 2004, Nate was promoted to a larger store with responsibility for sales in excess of $4 million. Simultaneously, Nate earned an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University by participating in the Company’s Tuition Reimbursement Program.
In 2008, Nate was nominated to participate in the Sherwin-Williams Emerging Leader Program. The program is a year long experience with a goal that is two-fold: to enhance the overall leadership and strategic business skills of emerging talent and to prepare participants for field leadership positions.
Nate was recently promoted to a Commercial Sales Representative in northern Virginia where he continues to perform and take ownership for his ongoing development. Next, he has his sights on becoming either a City or District Sales Manager.
Anna Kanaris, Mentoring
Upon graduating college in 2003, Anna joined Sherwin-Williams as a Sales Trainee. Since then she has held various positions of increasing responsibility. Early in her career, Anna took the initiative to reach out to individuals who could share their experiences and provide her guidance in how to be successful in her current role and reach her career goals. Anna quickly realized that mentor relationships provide invaluable opportunities, and she was eager to assist in instituting a formal program in her area of the Company.
Through the formal Mentor Program, Anna now has the opportunity to serve as a mentor and share her experiences with individuals looking for guidance in their careers. She describes the mentor-mentee relationship as one with “no boundaries.”
The Program, which has extended to other areas of the Company since its inception, brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds and provides a mutually beneficial opportunity to learn and share.
