Gentex is known for having dedicated employees who stay their entire career. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, there is one employee who can reflect on most of the entire journey. Doug Newhouse was the 12th person to join the company in 1981, this year he is celebrating 43 years of service!
With his knowledge of Gentex’s mirror products going back to the original electromechanical mirror produced, Doug has held many job titles over the past four decades. For over half of them, he has served as a Sales Director, a job he truly enjoys.
“Over the years, I’ve represented Gentex all over the globe to dozens of customers, all of which have great respect for us,” he said. “It’s truly a privilege to be on this team!”
When Doug was hired on at Gentex, there wasn’t quite as wide of a product variety to sell, let alone automotive parts. The company was manufacturing photoelectric smoke detectors at the time, as well as a door alarm that was sold through Amway.
“Back when I started, we worked as a small team at the Chicago Drive location. The building was previously a carpet store,” he said. “I first joined Gentex as Technical Draftsman. This was pre-CAD, and actually pre-computer and pre-cell phone. All of our engineering and designs were captured on drawings.”
The first project Doug worked on at Gentex was the electromechanical auto-dimming mirror.
“We came up with this idea to use the light sensor experience we had from smoke detectors to develop an automatic rear view mirror,” he said. “Everyone on the team at the time helped to develop the idea. We worked together, played together, became friends. Those relationships extended to our families–something that I still see in Gentex company culture today.”
He still keeps the prototype model for the first mirror, as well as the technical drawing he illustrated for the design, in his office. “That mirror and the drawing remind me of the opportunities that Gentex has provided, and also the repeating evolutions that keep shaping Gentex over time,” he said.
His career at Gentex has evolved along with the new innovations and products the company has released. When the new auto-dimming mirror was set to debut in the 1980s, there was a need for someone to set up the production and assembly process – so Doug stepped in as an industrial engineer. A position as Sales Engineer followed, working with the “Big 3” auto manufacturers to establish quality standards, then to sell and launch the mirrors with Ford, GM and Chrysler.
“After only a few years of production, we literally bet everything on the unproven electrochromic science,” he said. “I had the privilege of selling the first EC mirror. The risk paid off—the new mirror was really successful and vastly improved glare prevention, and we were able to put the same dimming technology in exterior mirrors. That really put Gentex on the map!"
Asked about what makes the job special and what’s kept him around, he highlights the commitment to his fellow teammates, quality and innovation, and to making useful, helpful products. “Developing useful features that make life easier, and building them with excellent quality and performance, is hard to find in industry today," he said. “I'm just blessed to work here.”
"Every day is a new best memory. I enjoy this that much. I have tremendous respect for everyone that works here, and if you really want it, there's an opportunity here for you, too–my life's the billboard for it."
As many memories as Doug has of Gentex from past years, he’s also looking forward to the many new markets Gentex is expanding into.
“I’m really excited for dozens of new future products. Dimming visors and large area devices, night vision cameras, driver monitoring, new smoke detector innovations–it's a lot to work on, and I feel each will reward us with significant growth," he said, "I'm especially proud of eSight."
"When we can take sensors, cameras, vibration and stability controls, and create a product that gives a person the freedom to read again, to see faces too, that’s huge!” he said. “I’m humbled to see where we can take that product, and I'm truly proud of our leadership teams.”
When asked if he plans to retire anytime soon, Doug is quick to say no. “Look at where we’re going and the new markets we’re expanding into. I’ve got a pretty clear picture of the next ten years, and they’re phenomenal,” he said.
“I can’t wait to see them play out.”
If you or someone you know is interested in starting a career at Gentex, we encourage you to explore our open positions on our job portal. Click below to get started!