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Next Gen All Star: Morgan Kish

Age: 33

Company: Sloan Valve Co.

Title: Product line manager

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How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?

MK: I’ve been in the plumbing industry for approx. 8 years. I’ve spent that whole time as Sloan doing product management for many of their product categories.

What drew you into the industry?

MK: I was drawn into the industry because previously I worked in the Mining and Oil & Gas industries and as interesting as those were, from a product management standpoint, I was excited to join an industry where I could better relate to and understand the mindset of the customers I was serving.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?

MK: The most rewarding aspect for me is Sloan’s sustainability mindset. Sloan focuses a lot of our energy on making products that are a good user experience but also good for the environment and it’s great to feel you’re making a positive impact on the world every day.

What motivates you every day?

MK: What motivates me is anytime I use the bathroom in a commercial space and there is a non-Sloan product in there, it drives me to continue to improve our products and think about how to better serve customers' needs. Also, I am motivated when my family and friends send me pictures and tell me they are thinking about me when they see a really well performing or cool bathroom!

What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?

MK: I wish they knew that there is a lot of innovation and excitement in the industry. I think when many people consider career options, they don’t give commercial plumbing enough consideration. I’ll give it to them, the jobs aren’t always glamourous, but they are important. Many people that start a career in commercial plumbing never leave because of how rewarding the industry is.

What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?

MK: It is difficult to choose a single proudest moment of my career, but one of the proudest was when I completed my first major product launch at Sloan. I launched 7 new sensor-operated soap dispensers that matched our top selling faucet styles. This launch was the catalyst to significant growth of that product line for Sloan. It was a challenging and complex project but even after a few years of the products being in the market, I get to see customers respond with excitement about all the matching sets of faucets and soap dispensers we offer, and it is so rewarding.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

MK: One thing most people don’t know about me is that I like to spend my free time building Lego sets and solving puzzle games. I think my enjoyment of problem-solving and putting things together is part of why I love being a product manager!

Why she was chosen as a Next Gen All Star Top 20 Under 40 winner:

“Morgan Kish is a rising star in the commercial restroom manufacturing industry. In fact, in just under eight years at Sloan, she has received several promotions that have allowed her to work with nearly all of the company’s product lines. Since coming to Sloan in 2015, Morgan has helped lead the company forward through strategic and innovative thinking. She has introduced nine new faucets during her three years managing the product line. She has also grown the company’s soap dispenser product line by introducing 10 new soap dispensers over that time. Additionally, she has grown Sloan’s sink systems business by finding the intersection of customization and standardization to provide customers with a sink offering at every budget.

“Morgan has advanced Sloan’s special finishes initiatives by performing VOC (voice of customer) research on unmet needs and translating them into projects, a roadmap that Sloan continues to implement with great success. She is always curious and open to innovative ideas and approaches to improving operations in support of improved customer experience.

“In addition to day-to-day product management, Morgan has authored articles in a number of industry publications including PM Engineer, Plumbing Engineer, FM Link, and Commercial Construction and Renovation, while also appearing on Sloan’s ‘Commercial Restroom Reflections’ podcast, covering topics such as sustainable restroom design, hand hygiene and the best sinks for high traffic environments.

“From her comprehensive understanding and leadership of Sloan’s product innovation to her industry thought leadership in published pieces, Morgan embodies what it means to be a Next Gen All-Star.” – Chris Hayes, content specialist, Pipitone Group

Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer’s Top 20 young professionals to watch.

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