Blaire Barlow

age: 26 | Director of Marketing | Wholesale Electric Supply

Blaire Barlow serves as the Director of Marketing at Wholesale Electric Supply, a family-owned independent electrical distributor that covers five states. In this position, Blaire is responsible for sales promotions and customer relationship activities. “While planning events and customer incentive trips are definitely the glamorous part of my job, having the advantage of learning the electrical supply business from coworkers with years of experience in the industry is the rewarding part,” Blaire conveys.  “The inspiration and support of the founders and leaders of our company continue to ‘turn on a light bulb’ for my marketing strategies.”

This year, Blaire was selected by the National Association of Electrical Distributors to represent Wholesale Electric as a member of their first leadership development class, a professional accomplishment in which she is very proud.    On a personal level, Blaire’s greatest achievement is to work with her lifelong mentor, Scott Bruner, to raise funds for Temple Memorial Pediatric Center while participating in this year’s “Dancing with Our Stars.”

Service-oriented, Blaire has served as the Texarkana Debutante Cotillion Club sponsor for the past three years and serves as a board member for Women for the Arts, Temple Memorial Pediatric Center, and Salvation Army. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Junior League of Texarkana.  

“At a very young age, I was exposed to a group of family friends who have all been leaders and volunteers working to make Texarkana one of the best communities to live in,” Blaire comments.  “Looking to the future, I am excited to continue their legacies while encouraging volunteerism and service among my peers.”

Best piece of advice:

“Do not get up in the morning and be unhappy with what you do. Don’t do it! Life’s too short to do that.” Steve Ledwell, Blaire’s family friend

Name something about you that very few people know:

“My first debut in Four States Living Magazine was on the cover of the March 1999 issue as a flower girl model.”

Shivik Sharma

age: 33 | Financial Services Professional | Independent Broker

Giving peace of mind to families who seek his financial services is Shivik Sharma’s goal.  He helps people make sound decisions to protect their livelihoods and their families.  “I get to know my clients on a one-on-one basis and listen to what is most important to them personally, in order to create a plan to help them achieve their specific goals and dreams,” he explains.

Shivik encourages families to design and execute plans in and out of the market, based on the client’s wants and needs.  Whether their goal is sending their children to college or trying to move on after a family member’s loss, he wants each of his clients to feel financially secure, and he treats each client as a friend.

Attending UT Austin in 2005 and graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 2009 was a great personal goal for Shivik.  Becoming an Eagle Scout from Troop 17 First Baptist Church at the age of 16 and earning a position in the Million Dollar Roundtable Status in the financial world (MDRT) were also meaningful personal accomplishments for him. 

Spending time with “Honey” (his rescue dog), taking family vacations, fishing on early mornings, seeing the sunrise, visiting the Texarkana Animal Care & Adoption Center, and being a role model to young Boy Scouts are ways Shivik spends his free time.  Known for always trying to bridge the gap between people of varying ages, races, and genders, Shivik enjoys helping others, listening, and always learning from new people.  

Best piece of advice:

“Be prepared and always do your best to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” — Dr. Randy Brown, Former Boy Scout Troop 16 Scoutmaster

Name something about you that very few people know:

“To me, life is one big winding journey with many different paths, some tougher than others. Sometimes the greatest miracles in life can come from helping pick others up along the journey, and that is what I truly love doing in life. I was always told to be a part of something bigger than myself and help my fellow Americans.”