PEARL BOD Interview with Kristen Habeeb
Kristen (Jordan) Habeeb is President of North American Switchgear, Inc. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, North American Switchgear specializes in the sales and service (including all makes and vintages) of low and medium voltage circuit breakers, motor control, switchgear and replacement parts.
How did you get involved in this industry and what is your background?
I’ve worked full-time at North American Switchgear, Inc. for almost 30 years. My dad, Bob Jordan, started the business in 1980 and my brothers and I grew up working here in our summers. I didn’t originally plan to work for my dad and instead was a pre-med student at Case Western Reserve University. My senior year I realized how much I love being part of our family business. I became fully engrained in the unique niche of power circuit breakers and never looked back.
In the early 2000’s I served on the PEARL board of directors including a term as President. I also had the honor of presenting the early version of the PEARL circuit breaker reconditioning standard at both PEARL and NETA. Now, 20 years later, I’m excited to be serving on the PEARL board again.
Why is it important to serve on the PEARL Board of Directors?
On a personal level, serving on the PEARL board (both times) has been a great way to meet other business owners and colleagues in this industry. I’ve developed many valuable relationships and friends as a result of my membership and position in PEARL.
Directorship is also important to ensure PEARL continues in its mission to serve all of our member businesses. Being part of a small family-owned business, I might have a different perspective when contributing to the board than some of our larger member companies. Being involved is the way you can ensure your voice is heard.
What value does PEARL bring to the industry?
The early mission statement of PEARL was to “Create a marketable distinction in quality, safety and integrity for PEARL members in the eyes of their customers”. At that time, the used equipment industry had a lot of great people but there were also plenty of scoundrels. Some service shops and end users just lumped everybody together as “junk dealers”. PEARL was founded to clearly separate the good guys from the bad guys. The dedicated membership of PEARL succeeded over time in evolving the face of the reconditioned-equipment industry, which opened the door for many of the member companies that are with us today.
Fast forward 27 years and PEARL has accomplished more than we initially dreamed. Most recently we have developed ANSI approved standards that are the benchmark for reconditioning electrical equipment. We’ve also developed technician training and certification which further differentiates our members from the rest of the industry.
Most importantly, PEARL member companies are keeping our country powered up. We impact every single person in the United States. I know mine is not the only business that every day is overnighting circuit breakers and parts to get a plant up and running, enable a ship to leave port or help a hospital that lost critical equipment. The near immediate availability of high-quality tested electrical equipment to support the aging infrastructure that we have in this country is PEARL’s greatest asset.
What do you like to do when you’re not immersed in circuit breakers?
I have three daughters aged 22, 20 and 18 so I’ve enjoyed being a mom to them for the past couple of decades. That has been my favorite job and my 3 girls & 2 dogs still keep me pretty busy. My other free time is mostly spent with friends and family. I also enjoy running, reading and watching sports especially volleyball, baseball and football.