After 32 years at the helm of his own rep firm, Michael Estrin has joined THEA Enterprises as director of sales.

Years ago, when I first interviewed Michael Estrin, he was the principal of Estrin-Calabrese Sales (which later became Estrin-Zirkman Sales). While discussing a day in the life of a lighting rep, he mentioned that one of the aspects he enjoyed was that every day was different.

Some 30+ years later, Estrin’s work life continues to have its assortment of shifting priorities, unexpected challenges, and satisfying solutions that he thrives on — but it’s not with Estrin-Zirkman. Instead, several months ago he was approached by the formidable New York/NJ agency THEA Enterprises.

Founded in 1930 as Thea & Schoen in New York City, the company was one of the first electrical construction supply manufacturers’ representatives in the New York metro area. In fact, the company still represents the factory it originally signed with 96 years ago — only now it includes many additional brands.

Thea & Schoen later became THEA Enterprises several years ago and transitioned to an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) structure. Today, the executive team includes brothers Mark and Doug Thea, who are the third generation of the Thea family and are actively involved in the business.

As director of sales, Estrin says his business life – and that of his eight Estrin-Zirkman employees, including Jim Zirkman – is almost nearly unchanged. “We’re still here, all the same people are here,” he said of his Estrin-Zirkman team. “They are basically doing what they have been doing, and we’re integrating some new things where it makes sense. THEA has been most gracious to my staff.” In his new role, Estrin reports to Pranav Chopra, executive vice president of lighting and controls.

THEA, which Estrin described as more of a “stock and flow” business for lighting designers, specifiers, showrooms, and commercial contractors wanted more of a presence in the lighting category and “that’s all I do,” he said in explaining why THEA reached out.  

Estrin’s customers won’t be noticing much of a change either. He is still handling all of the accounts he had with Estrin-Zirkman for New York and northern New Jersey.

“It’s all good,” he says of the business transition of integrating his agency into THEA’s operations, noting that there haven’t been any issues. “I’m just tickled  to be here with a 95-year-old company where the third generation [of family] is in charge. The [management team] plans and they execute,” he says of THEA’s well-organized business approach.

“In my everyday work, I have a lot to do — and I’m happy about that. I work with some really neat people.”

THEA Enterprises announced the acquisition on its social media on January 13 with this statement: “We’re proud to welcome Estrin Zirkman Sales to the THEA family. Together, we strengthen our shared commitment to delivering best-in-class service and tailored solutions. By combining decades of expertise with THEA’s industry-leading resources, we look forward to better supporting designers, contractors, dealers, and manufacturers across the market. We’re excited for what’s ahead and proud to grow together.”