Meet Tom Glassen: Bringing Decades of Strategic Sales Leadership to Commercial Power Solutions in San Diego

When commercial facilities invest in backup power, they need more than equipment. They need a trusted advisor who understands operations, risk management, long-term planning, and the realities of keeping businesses running when power is interrupted. At Duthie Power, Sales Engineer Tom Glassen brings exactly that perspective.

With a career spanning more than four decades in business development, strategic account management, and industrial equipment sales, Tom has built a reputation for helping organizations solve complex operational challenges. Today, he applies that same customer-focused approach to helping businesses throughout San Diego County find the right generator solutions for their facilities.

A Career Built on Understanding Customer Needs

Tom’s professional journey began as a business owner. Alongside his stepfather, he spent nine years building and operating a successful building services company in San Bernardino that provided cleaning services, light mechanical work, and tenant support for approximately 50 commercial clients.

Running a business gave Tom an early understanding of what customers value most: reliability, responsiveness, and honesty.

After selling the business, Tom relocated to Carlsbad, where he and his wife, an Oceanside teacher, raised their family. From there, he launched a successful sales career that would take him across the western United States and beyond.

Over the years, Tom held leadership roles with major organizations including Johnson Wax, Tennant Company, and several leading distribution firms. His territories eventually expanded to cover the United States, providing him with extensive experience working with organizations of all sizes.

Leading at the Highest Levels

One of the defining chapters of Tom’s career came during his 18 years with Tennant, a global leader in industrial floor cleaning equipment.

As a Strategic Account Manager, Tom was responsible for the nationwide management of ABM’s Janitorial division. His responsibilities included managing nationwide relationships, training, and overseeing a territory generating between $10 million and $12 million annually in machine sales.

His work involved supporting ABM divisions at major facilities across the country, including distribution centers, airports, office towers, and retail facilities served by companies such as Amazon, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

Tom also helped build Tennant’s strategic account program from the ground up, creating specialized teams focused on industries such as military, hospitality, and contract facility services.

“Every customer has unique challenges,” Tom says. “The key is understanding their operation well enough to deliver solutions that truly support their business.”

An Innovator at Heart

Throughout his career, Tom has demonstrated a passion for innovation and practical problem solving.

One notable accomplishment was helping introduce robotic floor-cleaning technology into the marketplace. He was involved in the sale of one of the first autonomous scrubbers deployed at LaGuardia Airport, technology that could navigate cleaning routes independently while supporting operational efficiencies in large facilities.

Even after retirement, Tom wasn’t ready to stop solving problems.

Five years ago, he partnered with engineers in Washington to establish an LLC focused on developing an environmental filtration system for industrial floor scrubbers. The technology is designed to safely remove contaminants from wastewater before disposal, helping companies avoid environmental violations and reduce the risk of costly fines.

His work reflects a mindset that has defined his entire career: identify a challenge, understand its impact, and create a better solution.

Why Duthie Power Was the Right Fit

After a career spent working for large national corporations, joining Duthie Power offered something refreshingly different.

For Tom, the transition from a large corporate environment to a family-owned company has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his current role.

“At Duthie, there’s a lot less ego,” Tom says. “If I need help, all of my counterparts are very willing to assist.. This team is responsive, knowledgeable, and willing to help.”

He also appreciates the company’s ability to move quickly.

In larger organizations, implementing change can take months. At Duthie, decisions are made faster, communication is direct, and customer needs remain at the center of every conversation.

Most importantly, Tom believes Duthie’s values align with his own.

“We lead with honesty,” he says. “We’re not always the lowest-priced option, and we’re upfront about that. But we’re also honest about what customers need, what it will cost, and what it takes to do the job right.”

Helping San Diego Businesses Prepare for the Unexpected

Today, Tom works closely with commercial customers throughout San Diego County, helping them evaluate backup power requirements and develop generator solutions that protect their operations.

His extensive experience working with facilities managers, contractors, corporate leaders, and operations teams gives him a unique perspective on business continuity. Whether he’s working with a healthcare facility, manufacturing operation, commercial property, or distribution center, Tom focuses on understanding each customer’s objectives before recommending a solution.

It’s an approach rooted in decades of experience and strengthened by the collaborative expertise of the Duthie Power team.

For Tom, every day still brings something new.

“That’s what keeps it interesting,” he says. “We’re always learning and finding new ways to help customers succeed.”

For San Diego businesses seeking a trusted partner in commercial power solutions, Tom Glassen brings the experience, perspective, and integrity needed to help keep critical operations running when it matters most.