As a child, Ethan Marshall had an eye for design and a knack for construction. He built his first seaworthy sailboat at age 9, and by 11 he had rebuilt the engine of his first car, a 1971 Datsun wagon.
“Everyone’s brain works in a particular way,†Marshall said, “and mine is just weird enough to transition from constructing Legos to building highly functional machinery.â€
Today Marshall is the director of operations at Anderson Sterilizers, a medical equipment manufacturer in Haw River, but he started down a much different path.
Growing up, Marshall drew inspiration from his parents.
“My mom owned an auto shop,†he said, and his father was certified as both a master automotive technician and a master motorcycle technician. “He owned his own motorcycle repair shop, served as a communication engineer for the Coast Guard and worked as a dialysis technician. They both worked long, hard hours.â€
Hoping to capitalize on his gifts, after high school Marshall enrolled at Alamance Community College. He went on to earn his associate’s degree in drafting. Soon after, Marshall found a job as an entry-level woodworker. He quickly began climbing the ranks, and it wasn’t long before he was promoted to plant manager.
“I had the opportunity to work with Hill Country Woodworks and Aventine — a fulfilling and lucrative career.†he said. “I specialized in crafting custom millwork for Duke University Hospital and various local churches.â€
However, among other things, Marshall grew weary of working without air conditioning during the hot summer months.
“I also wanted a garage so I could play with my cars,†he said. “I had to decide if I wanted to go into debt and build a garage or go back to school, get a job in air conditioning, and then with my increased salary build my garage. I went with Plan B.â€
Marshall observed firsthand that although his father’s extensive knowledge and skills were on par with those of his college-educated colleagues, his father earned significantly less and had to work much harder.
“My father had a great deal of real-life experience, but because he did not have a four-year degree, he worked twice as hard as those who did,†Marshall said. “This propelled me to pursue a four-year engineering degree.â€
Marshall had purchased his first house at 21 and paid it off by 30; he felt he was finally in a good place financially to apply to North Carolina State University. However, the university informed him that by then his drafting degree was too old to provide any meaningful credits.
Marshall worked nine-hour days and returned to Alamance Community College at night to complete his prerequisites to get into N.C. State.
“I got my drafting degree with a 4.0†grade-point average, he said. “I completed my prerequisites also with a 4.0, and I went on to complete my engineering degree in three years and nine months.â€
Having passed Health Science Park in Haw River for years going to and from ACC, in 2017 Marshall contacted Ted May, president of Andersen Sterilizer. The pair discussed potential job openings.
May hired Marshall to serve as operations manager. He was tasked with launching a field service program. That was seven years ago.
Since then, COO and CFO R. Scott Krewson said, Marshall has played a pivotable roll leading Andersen’s ongoing automation and modernization initiatives.
“As a result, we meet the growing customer demand for our sterilization products. This initiative blends manufacturing efficiency, greater output and employee safety as our business expands. Without Ethan’s contributions, we would not be in the enviable position that we are in today, meeting our customers’ needs,†Krewson said.
Marshall has become the go-to person for troubles big and small, but he said the most rewarding was overcoming a problem with back-orders, “which was persistent from before I arrived through late 2023.â€
Marshall attributes his numerous achievements to his family’s unwavering support and belief in him.
“My primary goal in life is to be a good husband and good dad,†he said. “My wife and my daughter are my motivation.â€
Marshall said he takes great pride in being a part of the company’s growth.
“When I came here there were about 60 people on campus, and in seven short years, we have grown our organization by 40%,†he said. “Looking to the future, I hope to help Andersen grow market share. ... I define my success by the success of my teammates.â€
On a personal note, Marshall was able to get himself a garage at home in Chapel Hill, as he envisioned when he decided to change career paths. On weekends he can be found in his workshop — which is air-conditioned — tinkering with one of several late model Datsun vehicles.
