Click Here to Return to the Sustainable Water Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Matt Voorhees
National Accounts Manager; Niagara Conservation
Interviewer: Julian Keniry, NWF
Julian Keniry: Niagara is a pioneer in water and energy efficiency. What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at Niagara?
Matt Voorhees: I was studying to be a high school English teacher, met up with a buddy senior year in Rutgers and realized English may not be the most direct career path, but it seemed like Niagara was launching innovative products and I could apply my academic background there. I started in customer service where I worked for two years, then transitioned to regional sales for 3.5 years, then to the national accounts division. I now oversee the largest home sale and distribution accounts, primarily in multi-family markets and have been with Niagara eleven years.
JK: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into water conservation and related careers with Niagara?
MV: We make small products that make a big difference, one of our largest distributors is HD supply, which uses an on-line platform and catalog, IdeallyGreen, to guide their utility customers on how to make water and energy efficient purchases for their facilities. In just six months of sales they have already passed 40 billion gallons in water savings. We recently ran the numbers and couldn’t believe it. They are a publicly traded company with $2 billion in sales. Niagara is about $150 million.
JK: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going into water and energy efficiency today? And career opportunities on the horizon.
MV: When I first started, water efficiency was on nearly no one’s radar. When we were talking with private developers, about what real estate investment trusts can do about water conservation, there was no pain we were resolving for them. Water costs were not so high then, but we are coming into a time in our environment where waste water reduction, not just in Southern California, is crucial and water costs are hitting consumers’ pockets everywhere. There are definitely specific jobs on horizon. We will open a new plant in Kokomo, Indiana in the next several months, creating 200 jobs in engineering and factory work. We made the decision to move manufacturing from China back to US. Niagara is also looking to hire several positions for business development representatives. They would work in sales starting on the career path where I am right now. And we almost always have positions open in marketing.
JK: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
MV: For certain level of job, we look for environmental studies degree. We highly value 4-year path and typically require a 4-year degree. An associate’s degree opens the door in customer service. Water conservation audit, project management, understanding basic project management are all important skills.
JK: Does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
MV: I’d look at someone able to work across different disciplines, especially in the sales world. For someone already in environmental fields who can show they are skilled in project management, and working across different types of communities. That would be a great addition to sell themselves on an interview.
JK: What are the fastest growing product or service lines for Niagara?
MV: Bill Cuttler, owner and founder of Niagara, and a US pioneer in conservation, is focusing the company on toilet efficiency. Our stealth toilet is our fastest growing product offering. The Stealth is the lowest flush volume toilet in the market and has been out there 5 years now. We see sales growth. It is going to be the best toilet. There are global opportunities as well, in the Middle East and elsewhere. About a year ago we sold our division that manufactures showerheads, compact-fluorescent lamps, and weather-stripping, to South Carolina-based AM conservation group. They interface with utilities and do about $60 million in sales.
JK: How might certification as NWF Ecoleaders make a difference to employers?
JK: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a different for community health and well-being?
MV: Try every day. Small behavioral changes create the most successful conversation programs. Showerheads and toilets- very basic and humble, simple mechanical changes.
***
Click Here to Return to the Sustainable Water Career Sector Overview
Interviewee: Matt Voorhees
National Accounts Manager; Niagara Conservation
Interviewer: Julian Keniry, NWF
Julian Keniry: Niagara is a pioneer in water and energy efficiency. What is your role with the company and why did you choose to work at Niagara?
Matt Voorhees: I was studying to be a high school English teacher, met up with a buddy senior year in Rutgers and realized English may not be the most direct career path, but it seemed like Niagara was launching innovative products and I could apply my academic background there. I started in customer service where I worked for two years, then transitioned to regional sales for 3.5 years, then to the national accounts division. I now oversee the largest home sale and distribution accounts, primarily in multi-family markets and have been with Niagara eleven years.
JK: What difference can graduates expect to make by going into water conservation and related careers with Niagara?
MV: We make small products that make a big difference, one of our largest distributors is HD supply, which uses an on-line platform and catalog, IdeallyGreen, to guide their utility customers on how to make water and energy efficient purchases for their facilities. In just six months of sales they have already passed 40 billion gallons in water savings. We recently ran the numbers and couldn’t believe it. They are a publicly traded company with $2 billion in sales. Niagara is about $150 million.
JK: What would you say to students and young professionals interested in going into water and energy efficiency today? And career opportunities on the horizon.
MV: When I first started, water efficiency was on nearly no one’s radar. When we were talking with private developers, about what real estate investment trusts can do about water conservation, there was no pain we were resolving for them. Water costs were not so high then, but we are coming into a time in our environment where waste water reduction, not just in Southern California, is crucial and water costs are hitting consumers’ pockets everywhere. There are definitely specific jobs on horizon. We will open a new plant in Kokomo, Indiana in the next several months, creating 200 jobs in engineering and factory work. We made the decision to move manufacturing from China back to US. Niagara is also looking to hire several positions for business development representatives. They would work in sales starting on the career path where I am right now. And we almost always have positions open in marketing.
JK: What should students study? And are there particular credentials of relevance to employers?
MV: For certain level of job, we look for environmental studies degree. We highly value 4-year path and typically require a 4-year degree. An associate’s degree opens the door in customer service. Water conservation audit, project management, understanding basic project management are all important skills.
JK: Does hands-on conservation experience, or experiential learning for students make a difference when hiring?
MV: I’d look at someone able to work across different disciplines, especially in the sales world. For someone already in environmental fields who can show they are skilled in project management, and working across different types of communities. That would be a great addition to sell themselves on an interview.
JK: What are the fastest growing product or service lines for Niagara?
MV: Bill Cuttler, owner and founder of Niagara, and a US pioneer in conservation, is focusing the company on toilet efficiency. Our stealth toilet is our fastest growing product offering. The Stealth is the lowest flush volume toilet in the market and has been out there 5 years now. We see sales growth. It is going to be the best toilet. There are global opportunities as well, in the Middle East and elsewhere. About a year ago we sold our division that manufactures showerheads, compact-fluorescent lamps, and weather-stripping, to South Carolina-based AM conservation group. They interface with utilities and do about $60 million in sales.
JK: How might certification as NWF Ecoleaders make a difference to employers?
MV: It will be another field the candidate can sell themselves in, explaining what the Ecoleader certification is and a way to differentiate themselves.
JK: Overall, what would you recommend to graduates who want to make a different for community health and well-being?
MV: Try every day. Small behavioral changes create the most successful conversation programs. Showerheads and toilets- very basic and humble, simple mechanical changes.
***
Click Here to Return to the Sustainable Water Career Sector Overview
Type
Interviews
Sector
Water
Category Career Center Resources
Project Feedback