Don’t Look at What the Company Can Do for You – Look at What You Can Achieve with the Company

A conversation with Jeff Nash, Global Key Account Manager at Johns Manville Engineered Products 

If there’s one thing you notice pretty quickly about Jeff Nash, it’s his unmistakable British humor. The kind of “did he really just say that?” jokes that catch you off guard and have everyone in the room laughing. After nearly three decades at Johns Manville, Jeff is well known across the industry, not just for his humor, but even more for his deep experience, sharp wit, authenticity, and the relationships he’s built along the way. What many don’t know is the story behind it all - the values, moments, and people that have shaped his journey, and how a stable career at JM has given him the space to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact.  

From Manchester to the World 

Jeff grew up in Manchester, back when the weather was as bad as football was good.  

“It was a multicultural, mixed community. Jewish, Muslim, Indian, Pakistani - you name it. I loved that. I think it prepared me for all the various foods I’d be eating later in life while traveling for my roles in Sales,” he recalls with a grin. 

He still laughs when he remembers his teenage confusion over the local “Curry-Goat” dish. “I thought people were saying ‘Curry-Go,’ as if it was takeaway. Only later did I realize it was actually goat.” 

Before joining JM, Jeff worked in sales roles at Dunlop, Trelleborg, and General Electric. “I never really planned on leaving any of those jobs,” he says. “But every few years, someone would call, and a new door would open. When JM came along, I thought I’d stay for two or three years. That was 27 years ago. I fell in love with the company and the people. Simple as that.” 

Building a Career Around Listening 

If you ask Jeff what’s kept him at JM for nearly three decades, the answer comes easily: leadership and people.

“There’s a story that really stuck with me,” he recalls. “Years ago, I was running the New York Marathon for cancer research. It was five in the morning, 50,000 people lining up, and I got a message from Mary K. Rhinehart, our former CEO and now Chair, wishing me luck. You don’t forget that. That’s when you know you’re in the right place.” 

These personal connections have shaped the way Jeff leads today. As Global Key Account Manager for JM’s Fiberglass business, he manages customers across both the U.S. and Europe. “My mornings usually start with U.S. emails,” he says. “Then I switch to EU business, and by mid-afternoon, the U.S. wakes up again, and I’m back on calls till late evening.” 

His role involves plenty of travel - from trade shows to JM plants and customer sites across both continents. “Every week looks different. It’s a big part of the job, and I enjoy being face-to-face with people.”  

Jeff also mentors a young technical sales engineer based in Tennessee, USA who reports to him. “I help him navigate JM, introduce him to customers, and build his confidence,” he says. “It’s rewarding helping someone find their footing in JM - the same way others did for me.” 

And when you ask him what the most important skill in Sales is, Jeff doesn’t hesitate. “People think it’s talking. It’s not. It’s listening.” 

Navigating Challenges, Holding Ground 

There’s no sugarcoating it - the fiberglass market is tough right now. “For years, we’ve faced cheap imports from Asia and the Middle East,” Jeff explains. “That puts pressure on pricing and on domestic producers like us. Energy prices in Europe are also much higher than in Asia, which makes competition even harder.” 

He points out that this isn’t just a JM issue. “We need broader support, not just for glass fibers, but for other industries like automotive, wind, and construction. The EU Commission needs to help level the playing field.” 

Still, Jeff stays optimistic, thanks to JM’s biggest strength: relationships. “We’re still successful because of the way we work with customers. We listen. We adapt. We don’t just push standard products; we tailor what we do to fit their needs. And when there’s a problem, we’re there to solve it. That’s something a lot of other industry players just can’t match. Anyone can sell glass fibers. Not everyone can build trust.”  

Family, Football, and Fostering 

Jeff’s professional life is impressive, but it’s his personal life that gives the story its heartbeat. He has three grown-up children living in Dubai, London, and Manchester - plus a 15-year-old daughter still at home, and a 10-year-old son the family adopted after fostering. 

He and his wife started fostering years ago to give something back. “We had spare rooms and a good life,” he says. “We’ve been very fortunate. So, we thought, why not use that to help someone else?” 

The boy they fostered was meant to stay six weeks. Six years later, he’s still there and part of the family. “He’d settled in, and there was no way we could have sent him somewhere else,” Jeff says. “So, we made it work and now he’s simply part of the family. Our daughter treats him like a brother - they fight, they laugh, they drive us crazy - just like any siblings.” 

Another girl they fostered was later adopted by a Liverpool-supporting family. Jeff grins: “At her adoption party, she showed up in a Manchester United jersey. My influence lives on.”  

And speaking of football, Jeff remains a loyal Manchester United fan - even if it’s not always easy. “You’ve got to suffer the lows to appreciate the highs,” he jokes. 

He fondly remembers attending the 1999 Champions League Final in Barcelona against Bayern Munich - the year United pulled off that last-minute miracle.  

“A business contact who also held a role at FC Barcelona helped me get tickets, and I ended up sitting with the players’ families,” he says. “It was my first year at JM, and one of those moments you never forget.” 

Four years later, that same contact called Jeff to tell him that he was in Manchester as his grandson had signed for United. “Turns out it was Gerard Piqué, who went on to become one of the best defenders in the world,” Jeff says, shaking his head. “Small world.”  

When he’s not watching football, Jeff enjoys golf - and has a running joke about sharing a golf club with actor Jamie Dornan. “He’s the second best-looking guy there now,” Jeff deadpans. “Must be difficult for him.” 

Giving Back, Looking Forward 

About a decade ago, Jeff joined a project with his local church to support communities in northern Uganda, an area that had suffered deeply from years of war and hardship. “Our minister had been there before and knew the challenges - food shortages, trauma, a lack of opportunity,” Jeff explains. “A lot of charities were already doing academic work, but the locals told us they needed practical education - real skills to build a future.” 

So, the group teamed up with the East African Missionary Society to build a vocational school using local labor and materials. “We didn’t want to just build something for them,” Jeff says. “We wanted it to belong to them. So local people built it, and local teachers now run it. They teach sewing, mechanics, farming, electrics - real skills that make a difference.” 

They even dug a well to provide clean water for the school and community. And when they organized a sports day for local kids, they expected about 100 children. Nearly 1,000 showed up. “These kids spend so much of their lives taking care of younger siblings, acting like adults far too early,” Jeff says. “For one day, they just got to be kids. Seeing that joy, that’s something I’ll never forget.” 

The Heart of It All 

So, what does Jeff hope people take from his story? He leans back, thoughtful for a moment. “Everything I’ve been able to do has been possible because of the stability I’ve had with JM. You can’t underestimate what that gives you. The freedom to give back, to grow, to take on challenges - that all comes from working for a company that stands behind you.” 

And before we finish, Jeff sums it up: “It’s not about what a company can do for you. It’s about what you can do with the company. And that’s made all the difference.”