Testimonials
Tom is an exceptionally talented individual who understands that achieving ambitious goals
requires more than just talent—it demands a deep commitment to both the people he leads and organizational success. He excels in building, motivating, and leading teams to achieve optimal business performance and success within large, matrixed organizations. Tom's expertise in power systems, business acumen, and strong interpersonal skills make him a true innovator and leader. His focus on developing and empowering his team fosters a culture of growth and excellence, ensuring that business strategies are aligned with delivering value and achieving collective success.
Nolan Polley
Enabling AI Innovation in Data Centers Worldwide | Sales Leader | UCLA Anderson Executive MBA Candidate 2025
To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation
for Tom Ahrens, who has been an exceptional team member at Schneider Electric. Over the time we have worked together, Tom has demonstrated a unique blend of leadership, innovation, and a genuine commitment to our employees and customers that is truly inspiring.
Tom consistently puts employees first, creating an environment where safety, inclusion, and human connection are paramount. He understands that the foundation of any successful team lies in trust and mutual respect, and he actively fosters this culture by being both a coach and a learner. Tom gives and asks for feedback daily, encouraging open dialogue and continuous improvement.
One of Tom's greatest strengths is his ability to think big and bold, developing disruptive strategies that drive growth and change. He is not afraid to challenge the status quo, take calculated risks, and execute with agility. He learns equally from success and failure, which fuels a culture of innovation and adaptability within the team.
In addition to his strategic mindset, Tom empowers those around him by entrusting others with decision-making authority. He understands the importance of freeing up energies to enable everyone to do more, fostering a sense of ownership and initiative across the team. His approach ensures that everyone has opportunities to contribute their best work and grow in their roles.
Furthermore, Tom excels at building meaningful human connections with customers, partners, and colleagues. He recognizes that genuine relationships are the foundation of long-term success and strives to create value for everyone he interacts with. His inclusive approach and commitment to understanding others' perspectives have made him a vital member of our organization.
In summary, Tom is a remarkable leader who exemplifies what it means to lead with empathy, innovation, and courage. I have no doubt that he will continue to make a significant impact wherever he goes, and I give him my highest recommendation.
Scott Vehrs
Director, EOEM Project Execution at Schneider Electric
I have had the pleasure of working closely with Tom over the past 6 years
and I can say without hesitation that Tom's strategic thinking and his understanding of strategic positioning are truly exceptional. Tom has a remarkable ability to navigate complex challenges with a clear strategic vision, inspiring and guiding his teams to achieve consistently outstanding results. His leadership is an invaluable asset to any organization, and I would highly recommend Tom as a leader who brings both expertise and inspiration to those around him.
Nic DeMazza
Managing Partner - PowerStream Solutions
Tom led our Electrical Equipment OEM group within Schneider Electric.
In that time he truly demonstrated vision, organization and direction for the team. Tom is a fantastic people leader and a true professional in every respect. He is a trusted partner who will strive for success in every endeavor undertaken. He will truly be missed at SE but we wish him the best on his new journey!
John McGee
Director, EOEM Business Development & Partner Programs
Over the years at Schneider, I’ve worked with Tom both as a sales colleague & also as my sales director in our Strategic Accounts organization.
Tom has the innate ability to collaborate across multiple teams in a very complex organization in order to not only help his team succeed but to help our clients do the same. Tom always goes to bat for his team & is never afraid to get in the trenches & solve issues that affect our customers. As a leader, he always has an other centered focus around his team members & helping them achieve their career goals. Tom’s the guy you want on your team & leading your team to victory!
Jason Ames
Strategic Account Executive-US Services at Schneider Electric
Thomas Ahrens is a tremendously talented leader and business strategist.
He has numerous rare qualities, including a business vision that is extremely forward thinking, tremendous and unwavering work ethic, unflinching customer focus, absolute integrity, and most of all a charming and motivating leadership style that moves people to be their best. In my 25 plus year career in the electrical industry and military, I never met a finer leader and person that truly cared about his employees and found ways to engage them and challenge them to reach new heights. It was an honor to work for Tom and I learned so much from him that I will always be grateful. I would highly recommend Tom for any leadership role he may desire.
Carl Kilcrease
National Account Manager for Shermco Industries.
Since I joined SE, Tom has consistently gone above and beyond to be helpful.
Robin Lynn Clinard
Sales Onboarding Program Manager at Schneider Electric
Tom is an amazing advocate, hard worker, and passionate about his business!
Courtney Forget, PMP
Commercial Sales, Service, and Operations ➤ executive leader driving growth and profitability, customer relations, global operations, and strategic planning ➤ builds and motivates top-performing talent!
The last year has been a very rewarding and full of professional growth with Tom as my manager.
He is constantly giving every team member and business initiative his full focus and energy. There is never a dull moment with Tom as he strives to make our team better with collaboration and team building methods. He is always thinking of the customer and ways our team can better serve them. Schneider Electric is lucky to have him and I would endorse any position in sales/management which he sees as his next best opportunity.
Mason Reiff
Key Account Sales Manager @ iLOQ | Sustainable Security Solutions
References, Feedback & Recommendations
Other Feedback Received
- Tom has exceeded my expectations as my boss. Time and time again, he has proven to be a voice of reason, a voice for change. An out-of-the-box thinker, and not afraid to challenge his direct reports and management. A true disrupter in our business.
- Encourages and empowers, you feel confident so that you can act like an owner in all aspects.
- His communication and his ability to inspire you to be the best version of yourself everyday. He leads by example.
- He’s selfless. He will go above and beyond for his team before he thinks of himself.
- Customer focused while putting his employees first.
- Forged a path to help me better understand cross business unit service offering by blazing a trail to improve internal relationships and improve collaboration.
- Empowering and rewarding. Tom’s enthusiasm and energy rub off and make you want to be a better person everyday.
- Best boss I ever had. Drives the corporate direction but allows us the freedom to get there in our own way.
- Tom is energetic, sincere and enthusiastic. I appreciate the charisma and pragmatism he brings to our problem-solving sessions.
- Positive attitude, open to discussion and influence, looks for solutions acceptable to all, very engaged.
- Great at synthesizing and translating complex problems into simple actions.
- Has a detailed level of expertise from experience and possesses strength at shaping and anticipating future course of business.
- Maintains a good balance between the tactical and strategic.Always looking for areas to improve/pivot strategies to optimize outcomes.
- Self-aware, innovative, engaged and supportive. Creates and builds excitement through his thought leadership.
- I trust that he will challenge me when necessary and speak to me straight.
- Tom’s consulting was greatly appreciated, his collaborative efforts had a substantial impact on the team and our ability to communicate and carry out actions toward results. Tom is an excellent communicator whose suggestions and thought-provoking conversation led to our team’s overarching success.
- At the time, Tom helped me think through a lot of difficulties I was having entering corporate America. He taught me how to communicate correctly, and advocate for myself with my leaders when I needed support.
- Tom has encouraged me to think more deeply/differently about my current role, my goals, and career as a whole.
- Tom has given me great insights and advice. He always has great suggestions for how I can grow my career and suggestions for how to reach my goals.
- I appreciate that he is very open and honest himself when sharing his experiences.
- I can tell Tom truly cares about helping people.
- Tom provides a lot of great development advice not only for work but to grow as a person outside of our day-to-day work lives.