Ashley Swanson has always had an interest in the building trades: her grandfather owned United Builders in her hometown of Ida Grove, and her father works for the paving equipment company Gomaco. While playing basketball at Grand View University, the class of 2011 BCIG High School graduate led a paint crew as part of a work study program.

Her professional career started with a three-year stint at the paint and coating manufacturer PPG Industries, but she eventually found her way to MARSHALLTOWN, the legendary local tool company with roots dating back over a century, about eight years ago through a connection with Jim Bowie, who serves as a category sales manager.

Swanson started as a product manager, and since then, she has worked her way up the ladder, most recently becoming the director of marketing at the beginning of 2025.

“I knew it was a good fit right away. PPG Industries, I had a fantastic experience with them. They are the number one coating company in the world, so with that, it’s just a massive company. Coming here, immediately I felt that MARSHALLTOWN had big company and global goals, but still a very family-oriented feel,” she said. “And immediately, I could see where, especially under (President/CEO) Joe Carter’s leadership, every person here is valued. Everyone’s opinion matters, and so you feel that off the bat. And so I knew pretty quickly into my time here that this is a place I wanted to be very long-term.”

She added that her path to the marketing director role has been a bit unconventional as she moved from product management to product development to category development to sales (covering Home Depot) to her current role. MARSHALLTOWN, which operates facilities in its namesake community, Fayetteville, Ark. and now Kansas City, Kan., has grown at a breakneck pace in recent years and acquired a host of other companies, and Swanson predicts that the trend will continue.

Residents have probably already noticed the large expansion project underway locally with an investment estimated at $20 million.

“One big thing that I see is we are always striving for growth, and that is not only on the product side but also through acquisition. Over the last six years, we have acquired 11 companies, and I do not see that slowing down whatsoever,” Swanson said. “Where we are really able to hone in on bringing in these core brands in the market is (that) we already have tools in those adjacent spaces, and so we’re able to really grow our offering, grow our brand reach. So that’s a piece I don’t see slowing down anytime soon.”

The other core pillar of MARSHALLTOWN’s philosophy, she said, is American manufacturing — the opportunity to make products in the U.S. and insource them whenever possible.

“From a community standpoint, what MARSHALLTOWN has been able to bring in terms of jobs, in terms of outreach and then also just keeping those Midwest core values and showing that ‘Hey, we are a global company with Midwest roots,’ I think, says a lot,” she said. “Obviously, Joe and our executive leadership are very passionate about the community. We just were in the Big Brothers Big Sisters bowling (event) the other night, and it’s just things like that. If we can be a part of those community events and just support the community from that angle, I think that only helps our community foster and grow.”

And, given the theme of this section, Swanson is especially excited to be part of a business community full of successful women, a rising number of whom are working in the skilled trades.

“When you look at it from that perspective, when women see other women be successful, I think that just really emulates and you really want to grow and follow that lead,” she said. “We have several women leaders here at MARSHALLTOWN that I have looked up to over the course of my career, and just seeing that everyone here has a voice and everyone has the opportunity to grow and lead. It makes you want to do better and be better.”

The former college hooper naturally has basketball on the brain in light of March Madness, and she wrapped up the interview with a quote she loved: “Good players like to be coached. Great players cannot get enough coaching.”

“For me, I’ve always looked for more, and I’ve always looked to learn various aspects of the business. And I think Joe and our executive leadership have really helped lead the way and trust our leadership. We have many women in leadership, and so seeing that just makes you want to push harder,” Swanson said.