Downingtown native and Bishop Shanahan graduate David Knecht is the Vice President of Sales & Business Development for Bender, an Exton-based company that provides electrical safety equipment to industries worldwide.

Knecht, whose first job was staining and washing decks, earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Wilkes University. He credits his first supervisor at Bender for having the biggest impact on his career.

“It may sound cliché, but Mr. Boardman taught me that every employee is in sales and customer service and that promptly responding and truly listening to customers makes a difference,” said Knecht. “He didn’t just say it; he lived it.”

According to Knecht, the most enjoyable aspect of his job is knowing that the solutions Bender designs and manufactures can save lives. His proudest professional achievements were the changes he suggested upon first joining the company. At that time, the sector’s revenue was dwindling, but he saw room for improvement, so he created a portfolio to showcase his ideas.

“I was able to clearly identify multiple pain points and deficiencies that our current offering was unable to accommodate,” Knecht said. “In two years, I was able to double our footprint domestically. And less than five years from the initial concept, the smallest sector of our company became the clear majority. This has resulted in the addition of 35-plus local jobs.”

His favorite Chester County restaurant is Four Dogs Tavern in West Chester.

Knecht and the rest of the 2022 Class of VISTA Millennial Superstars will be honored at the Awards Reception & Celebration held outdoors on Tuesday, May 10 at Penn State Great Valley. The in-person event will feature food trucks, drinks, touchless registration, a VIP tent, and boundless opportunities to network. It will also be live-streamed.

Sponsors are still being sought. Click here to learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it celebrates Chester County’s next generation of leaders.