Faces of ECIA – Jeffrey Davidson

What is your involvement with ECIA and what have you gained from your engagement with the association?

CK Associates is a long-time member of ECIA, and I am currently an active member of the ECIA Manufacturer’s Representative Council. Through my involvement with ECIA, I have developed meaningful relationships and strong connections with leaders across the distribution, supplier, and representative communities. CK has also benefited greatly from the market data, quarterly surveys, industry research, and educational resources available to ECIA members. I have specifically integrated The Value Delivered by Authorized Channel Partners for Electronic Components study from Texas A&M into conversations with potential suppliers because it clearly reinforces the importance of the authorized channel. For me, ECIA is a first point of reference for industry market data, best practices, and current initiatives impacting our industry. 

What does your company do and what is your role in your company?

CK Associates is a manufacturers’ representative firm covering Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. We represent leading electronic component manufacturers and work closely with OEMs, contract manufacturers, distributors, and engineering teams to support design activity, product selection, technical engagement, and long-term business development. I am the CEO of CK Associates and have been with the company since 1999.   In my role, I lead our overall business strategy, supplier relationships, sales development, territory planning, and customer engagement across the markets we serve. 

What is your favorite thing about this industry?

The thing I love most about our industry is the thing I do not know today. That may sound like an unusual answer, but I believe many of my counterparts would probably say the same thing, perhaps framed more eloquently. If you seek it out, our industry sits at the leading edge of innovation, technology, and new ideas that are happening in real time. We are often exposed to products, applications, and emerging technologies very early in the development process, sometimes years before they reach production or the broader market. That level of engagement continues to drive my engineering curiosity and keeps the work exciting. The other answer I would give is the friendships. This industry is built on long-term relationships, trust, shared problem-solving, and people who genuinely care about helping one another succeed. 

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

Outside of work, I have two great passions: my family and Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).  I recently celebrated 34 years of marriage, and I am blessed with children and now grandchildren. Family is the foundation that keeps everything in perspective. I started participating in obstacle course racing events about 15 years ago, and it has become a meaningful part of my life. OCR is truly “type two fun”—horrible in the moment, but amazing in retrospect. It has given me great stories, great experiences, and a continued reminder that persistence, preparation, and attitude matter in every challenge. 

What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?

There are two pieces of advice I received that I have always held onto. 

The first is, “Your job is not to sell components. Your job is to help customers build successful products.” When you focus on helping customers succeed rather than simply closing the next order, larger opportunities begin to appear. Stronger relationships develop, referrals increase, and negotiations become easier because the relationship is built on trust and value. Commission is a byproduct of creating value—not the goal itself. 

The second is, “Do not sacrifice your life to build your career—build a career that supports your life.” That advice has stayed with me because it is easy to lose sight of the things that are most valuable when you are focused on building a business or advancing a career. Success matters, but it should support the life, relationships, and priorities that matter most.