Faces of ECIA – Alan Ahern

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

I've been involved with ECIA for many years, having served on the Board, as Council Chair, and on the Rep Council. I've been engaged with all three constituencies on projects the Rep Council initiated. That's given me the chance to work alongside extremely intelligent people and learn business aspects that a Rep typically wouldn't be exposed to in their own day-to-day that I wouldn't have gained any other way.

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

I'm President of Crowley Associates, a Manufacturers Representative serving the Northeast across five territories. My role is to continually find new ways to add value to our manufacturers, distributors and customers. Whether that's through technology, AI, sales disciplines, or working strategically with our manufacturers with growth plans.

What is your favorite thing about this industry?

What I truly love about this industry is the rate of change in product technology and seeing how our customers put that technology to work to build better end products. Working directly with manufacturers latest products customers use in their developments before they become widely known. Some could be several years.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I love the outdoors, boating swinking and fishing along with restoring muscle cars. But most of all, I love being a grandfather to three amazing girls.

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

Early is late. Whatever you do, do it consistently. Work with others the way you'd want to be worked with. And most importantly, never stop learning every single day.