Area Sales Manager Joe Sammons has been named MPW Industrial Services’ Salesman of the Year for 2024, an honor he calls “awesome” and deeply humbling. “I feel honored,” he said. “It’s a big deal.”
Sammons joined MPW in April 2018 after serving in the military. His first role was as a management trainee, followed by time as a safety and training manager, and then as an account manager before transitioning into sales in late 2021. That wide-ranging experience laid the foundation for his success. “I’d say the work ethic came from both my upbringing and the military,” he said. “And once I got to MPW, I just tried to say ‘yes’ to opportunities as they came up. Safety, training, sales—whatever the role, if you want to be successful, you’ve got to work for it.”
“Joe’s commitment spans beyond sales. He supports field ops, improves Salesforce reporting, drives collaboration across business units, and was selected for MPW’s Manager Development Program,” said President Jared Black. “His impact is felt throughout the organization.”
In 2024, Sammons delivered a standout performance. He invoiced well over expectation and brought in nearly 40 new clients. On top of that, his existing accounts saw significant year-over-year growth.
Former Director of Sales Mike McDevitt—now Director of Business Development at Porta Kleen—said, “Joe has the largest territory on the team and carries it extremely well. He’s a hard worker, aggressive in his approach, and resilient even under tough customer conditions.”
Sammons’ ability to cross-sell and build strategic relationships has made him a valuable resource not only in industrial services, but also in generating leads for the water division. He has supported several EV projects and helps to lead corporate relationships with many clients. “A team mindset is everything,” Sammons said. “I want my team to succeed. I try to lead from the front.”
Sammons’ credibility is strengthened by deep technical knowledge and an operations background that allows him to communicate confidently with plant-level contacts. “You’d be surprised how much you can elicit change,” he explained. “Salespeople are often the first into a customer site, so we’re setting the tone—not just for business, but for safety and culture.”
District Manager Mike Nicholson, who helped hire Sammons after meeting his father at an energy plant, called Sammons “persistent, outgoing, a little bit of a pain—but he’s the perfect sales guy.”
Sammons is known internally as a creative thinker who helps improve Salesforce tools and brings new ideas to team strategy. As mentioned, he’s also been nominated to the Manager Development Training Program, which began in February 2025.
Regional Manager Ron Wells said, “Joe’s drive, dedication, and tenacity stand out. He’s well-rounded, brings balance from his family life into his work, and has developed strong relationships that are critical to our success.”
When asked what advice he’d give to other sales professionals aiming for this award, Sammons didn’t hesitate: “Be willing to put in the work. Contribute. Step outside your comfort zone.” Outside of MPW, he spends most of his time with his wife and two children, coaches wrestling, hits the gym regularly, and reads often.