AcquireEngineer Spotlight: Vince Bray | Standard Electric Supply Co.
Standard Electric Supply Co.

Engineer Spotlight: Vince Bray

ByLauren Willman

3/23/2022

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT STANDARD ELECTRIC, AND WHAT DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN? 

I am an Applications Specialist with a focus on AC and DC Drives, Motors, Sensors, Controls, and Explosion-Proof Protection.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN ENGINEERING?

I first became interested in engineering when I was 17 years old. A friend from church who was the Director of Site Electrical at Fermilab in Batavia, IL gave me a guided tour of the entire site. This included all the accelerator rings, particle detector experiments, and their control systems.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS INDUSTRY?

My father was in it and worked for a company that was very family-oriented. He had many interactions with his colleagues and friends. I also enjoy when I can point to things and say, "I have helped make those".

WHAT TRAITS DO YOU HAVE THAT HELP YOU IN YOUR ROLE?

Curiosity, adaptability, and being a lifelong learner.

WHEN YOU'RE WORKING WITH CLIENTS, HOW DO YOU HELP THEM IDENTIFY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THEY'RE FACING?

When possible, I like to get out on the shop floor where the product will be used and see the process or system that the product will be used in. I also take pictures of what I can, so that I can do a more thorough analysis of the application.

WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU'VE LEARNED WHILE WORKING AT STANDARD ELECTRIC? 

Multigenerational family-run businesses can grow dramatically when leadership understands the importance of truly empowering everyone to affect change, and actively seeks insights from everyone.

WHAT KIND OF THINGS DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Bird watching, exploring industrial archeology, historical sites, particularly in Chicago and Milwaukee. I also enjoy listening to audible books. I have listened to books for 25 years and joined Audible.com soon after they were founded.  I own over 1,000 titles on the site.  My taste in books varies from Science Fiction, History, Science, Classics, and Christianity. I never listen to a single biography of someone I am trying to understand, it takes multiple perspectives to really get a sense of someone’s character.

WHAT IS AN INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE CO-WORKERS OR FRIENDS?

I really wanted to be a Marine Biologist after 10 years of reading every issue of National Geographic.


Standard Electric Supply Co. is a family-owned distributor, built on delivering outstanding service. For over 100 years, Standard Electric has been the best at what they do; delivering top-quality products, outstanding service, and providing value-added services to customers across the Midwest. Visit standardelectricsupply.com to see how Standard Electric can become the solution to your needs.

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