HomeWork features AHAM members’ insights on careers, success, life outside of work, and AHAM membership. This month, we spoke with AHAM Board of Directors Chair John Taylor, senior vice president, public affairs and communications, LG Electronics USA, Inc.

Name three goals (personal or professional) you are pursuing in 2018.
1. On the professional side: Take a step back and look at the bigger, strategic play. I love to roll up my sleeves but I need to delegate more, and empower and mentor the next generation.
2. Personally and professionally, try to achieve a better work-life balance. I’m not doing so great on this one so far, but there’s still half a year left!
3. In that regard, focus more on health and family; take some special getaways with my wife, who has been my soul mate since college.

How do you jumpstart your morning?
For my entire career, I’ve jumped out of bed early, eager to embrace the day. Oatmeal and berries, brisk walk, jumbo coffee and peruse four newspapers, usually all before 6 a.m.

Predict an innovation that will revolutionize the next generation.
Innovation is moving at Internet speed. It’s hard enough to predict what home appliance technologies will be hot next year, let alone longer-term. To be sure, our future will be smarter, more connected, more convenient and more secure. So in a word or two, smart connectivity or artificial intelligence.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?
I’ve been blessed with many mentors, including AHAM’s own Joe McGuire and my current boss, William Cho. It kind of sounds like a list of clichés, but here goes: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Respect others’ opinions, especially if they’re opposite of your own. Seek the truth, speak the truth. Listen more than talk. (Those who know me think I’m still working on this one!)

What home appliance can you not live without?
That’s a toss-up between the LG TWINWash, the first to wash two loads at once, or the LG InstaView fridge that allows you to knock on the glass door and see what’s inside without opening the door. We like an organized fridge! Come to think of it, my weekend chores include lots of vacuuming. I’ll try to convince my wife that we should get an LG HOM-BOT smart robotic vac.

What do you gain from your involvement with AHAM?
I’m involved in quite a few trade associations, and I think AHAM is special. It is truly a member-driven organization, blessed with very strong members and great participation. In the marketplace, our members are fierce competitors. Within AHAM, we’re all fierce collaborators. That’s thanks in large part to the terrific and talented staff that keeps us focused on key issues and, together with volunteer leaders, helps drive consensus. I’m especially enthusiastic about AHAM’s new advocacy initiatives focused on grassroots efforts, leveraging the power of our members in congressional districts and state houses across the land.

What is your best advice you have for somebody who wants to succeed in the home appliance industry?
Always keep in mind the incredible positive impact we have on consumers’ lives.


HomeWork headshot
John Taylor
Senior Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications
LG Electronics USA, Inc.

Looking for past issues of HomeWork?

September 2024
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Sr. Market & BI Manager
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Sarah Chinberg
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Diane Hoffmann
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TJ Stoffer
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Winston Lindsay
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Lara Peterson
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Chloe Zeng
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Nathan Mouw
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Brian McWaters
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Food Preparation
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Ed Vlacich
Chief Executive Officer
Lasko Products
2022
Mark Zielinski
Director, Merchandising
Demand Planning & Product Line
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2022
Pamela Klyn
Sr. Vice President
Corporate Relations & Sustainability
Whirlpool Corporation
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Vikram Shrivastava
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Julie Rippy
Director
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Vornado Air
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Stephen Gatz
Lead Engineer
Codes and Safety
Whirlpool Corporation
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Evan Hoffman
Director
State and Local Government Relations
Philips
2021
Lucian Strong
Commercial Vice President
Sales
CoorsTek
2021
Joe Liotine
Executive Vice President
North America Region
Whirlpool Corporation
2021
Nolan Pike
President and CEO
Electrolux North America
2020
Darryl McCartney
IoT Technical Sales Director for the Americas
Microsoft
2020
Mark Bissell
Chairman and CEO
BISSELL Inc.
2020
Dr. Markus Miele
Executive Director and Co-proprietor
Miele
2020
Viren Shah
Vice President and Chief Digital Officer
GE Appliances, a Haier company
2020
Elena Breda
Senior Vice President
Global Product Category Food Preservation
Electrolux
2020
Nate Cho
Director
Internet of Things
Electrolux
2019
Julie Wood
Senior Director
Public Relations
GE Appliances, a Haier company
2019
Carl Eckersley
Director
iRobot
Product Compliance
2019
Tim Ferry
Group President
Tools & Home Products
Emerson
2019
Debbie Mudway
Senior Vice President
Global Marketing
Helen of Troy - Health & Home
2019
Jim Sanduski
President
Sharp Home Electronics Company of America
2019
Manfred Staebler
Vice President
Government Affairs
BSH Home Appliances Corporation, North America
2019
Steve Ver Strat
Regulatory Policy Director
Amway Corporation
2019
Dochul Choi
Senior Vice President
Global Business and Technology Strategy
Samsung Electronics America
2019
Tom Siwek
Vice President
Safety, Compliance and CORE Quality
SharkNinja Operating LLC
2018
Patricia Bassett
Vice President
Research and Development, Appliances and Cookware
Newell Brands
2018
Steve Nackers
Corporate Manager
Electronic Controls
Sub-Zero Group
2018
Dan Query
Vice President and General Manager
Product Line Management
Electrolux Home Products NA
2018
Paulo da Silva
Senior Director
Laundry Merchandising
Whirlpool Corporation
2018
John Taylor
Senior Vice President
Public Affairs and Communications
LG Electronics USA, Inc.
2018
Andy Chinmulgund
Founder and CEO
Bruviti
2018
Lenore Kaplan
Head of Competitor Intelligence for the Americas
Dyson
2018
Melanie Cook
Chief Operating Officer
GE Appliances, a Haier company