Since 1997, Wilson Electronics, based in St. George, Utah, has been the industry leader in cellular repeater technology. The company holds over 250 patents, and it manufactures two U.S.-built brands of cell signal boosters. Its weBoost products improve signal in homes, small businesses, and vehicles. Its WilsonPro line does the same for larger businesses and carrier networks. Wilson Electronics has expanded to maintain corporate and product design offices in Salt Lake City and Dallas.
Wilson Electronics has an impressive history of inventing new technology. But they also have an impressive track record of career growth for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
As one of Utah’s 100 Companies Championing Women in 2022, the company provides an extensive list of benefits and initiatives that support women and their families. A few of those include:
- Remote work options
- Job sharing and part-time professional roles
- Paid and unpaid family leave
- Diversity in mid-and-senior leadership
- Pay equity efforts
- Woman-focused employee resource group (ERG)
The Women of Wilson ERG is a big part of the company’s efforts to support women. “Women of Wilson (WOW) supports our female employees with professional development, community service, and social activities where we support each other as working women,” said Michelle Anderegg, founding member and director of Account Management and Inside Sales. “Many of us balance family roles with our roles as providers, managers, and leaders. Having a support system for other women with similar responsibilities and aspirations helps. The company has provided a supportive and equitable environment for all of us.”
A company of Wilson Electronics size, with about 250 employees, with an ERG focused on women, signifies how committed company leadership is to championing women. It also recently added a woman to its board of directors and aimed to increase the number of women in mid-to-senior level leadership roles.
“In Utah in particular, it’s important for women to have a voice,” Anderegg notes. “We see more women in career leadership, but that doesn’t mean we’re done. We must keep supporting and recognizing them. Half of my sales team are women who communicate well, empathize with customers, and speak to the technical issues of our industry. They’re not just good at what they do; they stand out.”
The company pledged to interview a female candidate for every director-level and higher position it recruits for. Wilson Electronics is also committed to the ElevateHer challenge from the Women’s Leadership Institute. But their commitment to creating an equitable workplace goes beyond an ERG and hiring practices into the daily lives of our female employees.
A prime example of that commitment is Misty Snuffer, who recently received the 2022 Women in Manufacturing Award from the Utah Manufacturing Association. “As a young single mom 27 years ago, I was just trying to survive in the cable room putting on connectors,” Snuffer said. She was promoted to Quality Control and Safety manager, but she didn’t stop there. Snuffer went on to become the lead over cables and accessories. With the company’s encouragement, she completed an operations management program at a local college, graduating with a Capstone certificate and earning a Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt. Snuffer went on to earn her associate degree in operations management and received another promotion to production manager. Today, she is the senior operations manager working on her bachelor’s degree in business administration. The company’s tuition reimbursement benefit has paid for her educational pursuits.
“Wilson Electronics supports women in advancing their careers,” says Travis Alexander, SHRM-CP, PHR, director of People and Culture. “The benefits we offer help employees balance home and career. We don’t do all of that to look good on paper; we do it to create an equitable, supportive, and inclusive workplace for everyone.”
Wilson Electronics is recruiting for positions at various levels. Learn more about open positions and other accolades the company has earned (including several “Best Companies to Work For” awards) on their website at Careers & Open Positions | Wilson Electronics.
