Employee Spotlight: Pat Hamp, North American Sales Training Manager
My career started in the insurance industry. After 8 years, I moved on to business development and sales in the consumer products industry for a while. In the 1970's I was a Ham radio operator, so I then went to work for a communications company because my love for radio and that's when the bug really bit me. I had been working at my local communications store for a friend, and when my contract was ending I realized that I was far happier working in the RF field and that's when I made my hobby a career. In 1987, I joined Systems Wireless as a sales engineer where I was re-introduced to Clear-Com after many years. At the same time, I decided to return to military service after an almost 20 year hiatus. I served in the Naval Reserve as an Intel Specialist with DIA and served on active duty during Desert Shield/Storm, KFOR, the Kosovo campaign, and post 9-11 operations. In 1996, I joined Clear-Com as the Eastern US Regional Sales Manager, working with my friends Emil Matignon and Ed Fitzgerald. Together, we helped grow the company as a broadcast supplier. In 2008, I retired from the reserves after 20 years.
Career Highlight:
Working in broadcast was one of the most satisfying parts of my career at Clear-Com. As our products constantly improved, walking into a TV station became more the norm than the exception. Besides helping many stations to upgrade, the long-term friendships have been the most important part of my accomplishments. Our hands-on relationship-driven concept has helped the Clear-Com name become a major player in broadcast from coast to coast. Working in sports broadcast at the school level was far and away the most fun. Clear-Com has very much become the go-to system because of the attention we have paid to the young people in these schools.
Advice to Young People Entering the Industry:
Learning is as important as doing. Remember to appreciate the education you get from your older peers - they have been where you are and their wisdom is worth your future.
Favorite Hobby:
I have been an amateur radio operator since 1976. I hold and Extra Class license plus a commercial license.
In My Spare Time:
I like to spend my spare time with Ham Radio, hunting and fishing, working on my Jeep Wrangler, and projects around the house. I also am a competitive Archer.
Favorite Books:
- Undaunted Courage (the story of Lewis and Clark), by Stephen E. Ambrose
- The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw
Looking Forward To:
I want to start visiting the National Parks that I haven't been to yet and to go surfing with my new knee!