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

All my life, but I’ve officially been back working at Associated Marketing for 12 years.

What drew you into the industry?

Associated Marketing is my father's business, so I've been doing it since I was a kid. Growing up in the business, even at a very young age, I started working in the warehouse just sweeping floors, unloading box, stacking boxes, doing menial tasks. My dad looked at it as a way to build character and you get a little side cash. It's always been in the blood and I've always been around it. Eventually, I went to Boston University for audio engineering because I had a passion for music. A lot of my family are musicians. My dad's been playing guitar since he was 13, and he still does karaoke a lot today. I grew up to him playing a lot of Led Zeppelin, a lot of rock and roll. Actually, my name Hunter comes from a Led Zeppelin song, ‘They call me the Hunter.’ I got a certificate, not a degree, in audio engineering. I did some recording post-production work for some bands, and I actually got an opportunity to work with 50 Cent for about a year. After that, I worked for a company called E-Skill, we sold software as a service for pre-employment testing for screening. I was very successful up there.

Eventually, my dad called and said, ‘Hey, I need some help. Would you be interested in moving back here?’ That happened over six months of hinting and beating around the bush.

Then I started a family up there with my now ex-wife. My first son was born up there. I worked up there for about 14 months, did very well actually. I was very successful up there after the second month and I think it was just because of my age and everyone else is very older. Because of my age and I very adapted to the technology. I was the top sales guy for 12 months straight until they changed the whole bonus structure. Then eventually my dad called and said, "Hey, I need some help. We moved back down to Philadelphia and I started to work on the sales side of things. I started on the inside just answering telephones. Eventually, I started to pick up every aspect of what we did and then started working with our sales managers more and more and more.

I became a leader of the business and took on the role as vice president of the company more or less. I went full circle. I spent about three years searching and finding myself before I jumped back into the whole family business and the PVF industry.

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

I'd say the most rewarding aspect is with the work that we do. What most people don't understand is that the products that we sell are very specific and they have a purpose to what they are meant for and they help modern-day society happen. The items we sell here — thermoplastic fittings, CPV fittings, etc., these things go in hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, server rooms and everything that makes modern-day society possible. It's really rewarding to know that all this stuff that goes into these buildings and all this infrastructure that makes the world happen, and we have a part into it. We're behind-the-scenes type of guys, really. The Wizard of Oz behind the mask. That's how I've always been, even when I was a little kid.

What motivates you every day?

My team and all the guys and girls that work for us and our customers. We have to wake up and it just never stops. Even during COVID, I knew that it was our most busiest time. It never stops. There's never a down period. Things might slow down, but things are always breaking and things are always needing to be replaced and there's always a lot to learn. I'm always motivated about learning from our customers and our wholesalers and my sales guys about what's going on.

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

That it's a lot sexier than it seems. What most people don't understand is how big this industry is and how important it is to everything that we do. What most people understand that is everything has to flow. Gas, water, drainage. When we flush our toilet, that's one of the most important things in the world — where does that waste go when we flush our toilet? That was one of the biggest problems solved in modern civilization. You take all of our waste and you move it to waste treatment plants, and that helps modern society just grow and boom. Again, it's an overlooked thing because it's not a sexy business. I think that's a shame, and I think that's really something that it's hard to market. I get selling pipe valves and fittings. But I think that's what's misunderstood thing that people don't realize the importance and the nuances, too, of having the right products in the right places at the right times.

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

Besides the honor of being nominated for the top 20 under 40, my proudest moment of my career would have to be right now in this moment. Being a part of such an amazing team that is Associated Marketing. From the hardest working warehouse crew that is the essential backbone to our organization showing up every day and making sure each and every order is picked, packed, and shipped to the highest standards that our customers and clients expect. To the inside team that is the voice of the company and help support the ongoing traffic of calls, quotes, and customer service needs for our customers. To our amazing outside team that isn’t just dedicated to support their customers but also to helping out one another like a true team. I am so proud to be a small part of this group, and I hope they are even more proud of all their accomplishments and relentless hard work.

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

Probably what most people don't know about me is I actually like to do a lot of charity work. I do a lot of work with the Habitat of Humanity and I'm always looking to try and give back.

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

“Hunter has been serving the plumbing, heating, irrigation, and mechanical industry since he was a child. As the youngest son of a successful small business owner, he started by sweeping the floor and organizing boxes in his family’s warehouse. Since then, he has worked in every position from loading 52’ trailers, answering customer service calls, making sales calls, to reorganizing and growing the business to better service the industry’s demand. He has his vision set on the future of both the wholesalers and the contractors in the ever-changing market. With the belief in leveraging new technologies with tried-and-true processes. He blends the minds of both the industry vets as well as outside perspectives to create a better experience for his customers, clients, and employees whom he considers like family. Being a part of industry organizations such as the ASA, PHCC, and AIM/R he constantly is on the lookout for how he can best service the industry, gain new insights and knowledge, and create a better environment. Living by the motto, ‘Keep moving forward’ no matter what changes and obstacles his team faces. Hunter hopes to continue to grow with the industry and add as much value to everyone he engages and has the opportunity to work alongside. His hope is to continue to grow the business and carry on and expand the legacy his father already built, in hopes to inspire future generations to come.”
— Taylor Wilson

“I have the privilege of working with Hunter as a partner with our company, J & M Valve. He has proven to be a very valuable partner in growing our business in the Northeastern PVF market. He has shown strong leadership by creating regular strategic team meetings, ongoing communication and consistent follow-up with feedback on how to improve our product sales. He truly lives out their motto, ‘Keep moving forward’ no matter what is going on in the market. We have seen consistent growth through his leadership and look forward to a long-standing relationship with Hunter. I only wish we could duplicate his type of work ethic and team approach throughout the rest of the country.”

— Steve Moore