Eastern Industrial Supplies, a leading distributor of pipe, valves, and fittings, is continuing to strengthen its care-focused culture by naming David Kay as the company’s first ever vice president of Cares and Culture. In this elevated role, Kay will continue to champion the company's core values and further develop the Eastern Cares program.

Kay served as a Chaplain at Eastern’s Anderson, South Carolina, branch before joining the company as the director of Eastern Cares in 2016. Since that time, Kay’s unique approach to marketplace ministry, continuous encouragement of associates, and relentless dedication to the company's purpose – to honor God in all that we do by caring for people, continuously improving, and growing profitably – has helped strengthen and grow Eastern’s unique cultural identity.

Eastern Cares was created in 2002 to enhance the lives of Eastern associates and the communities Eastern serves through caring, service, and fiscal support. Eastern associates enjoy five paid days off each year to take on service work in their communities and support Eastern Cares financially by making voluntary contributions to three Eastern Cares funds. Those funds help associates in times of crisis; support community organizations and nonprofits; and finance a children's home and a secondary school in Tanzania, Africa, which Eastern helped found in 2006.

"I'm thrilled to announce that David Kay has been named Vice President of Cares & Culture, effective May 12, 2025," said Kip Miller, Eastern’s CEO. “Over the years, he has been instrumental in strengthening our culture of People, Values, and Faith. Cares and culture remain central to our company's identity, and we are excited about his ongoing leadership and the significant contributions he will continue to make."

Caleb Owen, president of Eastern, added, "David has consistently prioritized our team, always ready to help whenever needed. This promotion acknowledges his deep commitment and will allow him to further emphasize a people-first approach at Eastern and in the wider community."

Meagan Owen, chief strategy officer, praised Kay's unique qualities, stating, "David truly is a special individual with a remarkable ability to connect with people, something you don't often see. He's also one of the most trustworthy people I know. The value he brings to Eastern's culture is immeasurable, and I'm confident his contributions will be instrumental in taking us to even greater heights."

In his new capacity, Kay will continue to oversee new care-focused initiatives that reinforce Eastern's commitment to its employees and the broader community, ensuring that the company's values remain at the forefront of its operations and growth.