About Westward Sales

Westward Sales is your home for cost-effective, high-quality industrial electronics and networking solutions. We team with respected manufacturers to provide value-added distribution and services, specializing in ruggedized computing and communications equipment. Founded by engineers, we work alongside your technical team to help develop, design, and deploy the most efficient and practical solutions to fit your connectivity needs.
 

Founder story

I’m Kelvin Aist; I founded Westward Sales in 2016 and built a business around my experience in communications, which began in 1986 with my first job out of college. I designed, built, tested, and certified avionic databus systems and continued this path throughout my career. The knowledge and expertise I gained came from working at technology companies such as Boeing and General Electric. Earning bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and computer engineering, along with an M.B.A., enables me to provide efficient and affordable solutions for customers.

 

Inspiration and Culture

My grandparents, Dewell and Lilly Porter, inspired me to start my business. They began in the 1930s, selling peaches, fenceposts, and eggs. They raised cattle and owned and operated the country grocery store in Bethesda, Arkansas, Porter Grocery. My siblings, cousins, and I worked alongside them as children, stocking shelves and sorting goods, observing how they built relationships with neighbors and customers. It was a simple store with multiple generations of my family members working together.
 

This experience is the foundation on which I built my company. I’m proud that my sons and wife work alongside me, continuing the tradition of a family business instilled in me by my grandparents.

A small business culture empowers independence and creativity, enabling us to form personal relationships, respond expeditiously, and add personal service. These lessons from my grandparents are embedded into Westward Sales.

                               

Oil Painting of Porter Grocery, circa 1979

Award Winning Service

Westward Sales has consistently earned top recognition from its manufacturers since its foundation in 2016. We are proud and humbled to earn your business and trust at the highest level. Our sales and service teams strive to continue our award-winning service.

Corporate Citizenship

The words of Winston Churchill inspire us at Westward Sales: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Therefore, when you do business with Westward Sales, you provide resources to our local and community non-profit organizations such as Pura Vida Ministries, the Denver Rescue Mission, Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity, and other local community causes.

 

Meet the Team

Kelvin Aist Owner and President Kelvin began his engineering career in aerospace, designing high-performance computers and communication systems. In 2016, he founded Westward Sales to offer high-quality industrial networking and IoT products. Besides managing business operations, Kelvin provides technical know-how, helping engineers and network professionals build the best systems possible. Kelvin resides with his wife in Buena Vista, CO, where he frequents the Colorado trail, single track, and ski slopes.

Diane Boeser Inside Sales Manager With a B.S.B.A from Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and additional degrees in Marketing, Business Management, and Economics, Diane creates quotes, provides customer service, and consults with customers to effectively match needs with the right products. When she’s not working, she enjoys time with her grandsons in our beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains and cheering on the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team.

Susan Mounier Content Developer Susan holds a B.S.B.A. from the University of Denver and worked in hospitality management for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She rejoined the workforce with Allied Van Lines and helped move people worldwide. She has also dabbled in insurance. Her biggest accomplishment, however, was as a full-time caregiver for her mom. Susan enjoys working on the Westward Sales website with the goal of keeping all products up-to-date and accurate. In her spare time she loves to cook, crochet, and go for walks along the ocean with her husband.

Candace Mercer Operations Manager Candace has been in this industry since 2014 and has worked with Kelvin and his team since 2017. She makes sure operations are flowing efficiently. Customer Service is number one for her; she always strives to go above and beyond for our clients. Candace started in customer service-oriented jobs like Victoria’s Secret and Natural Stone sales and moved to the industrial Ethernet industry in 2014. She’s a mom of a 12-year-old boy with whom she lives with her boyfriend and dog. They enjoy spending time with friends and family together, bowling, cooking, watching movies, dining out, and sporting events in sunny Southern California. (Go Angels!) She is the Team Mom for her son’s club sports teams and part of her son’s middle school PTA.

Ron Robbins Marketing Manager As the Marketing Manager at Westward Sales, Ron brings over 10 years of digital marketing experience to our team. Providing professional insight with everything from SEO, data analytics, and digital media, he has a knack for implementing a campaign strategy that gets scaleable results. During his off time, you can usually find him adventuring in the backcountry. Ron is a firm believer in fighting for environmental causes while giving back to tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.

Sarah Philabaum Accountant Sarah works to make all financial operations run smoothly. With a finance and audit background, she has worked in the accounting field for over 15 years. Her certifications include CFP®, C.P.C.U., A.R.M., and A.P.A. When not working, she loves hiking, lounging at the pool, warm chocolate chip cookies, and puzzles.

Austin Bell Content Developer and Data Specialist Austin keeps tabs on our website’s data, ensuring it’s as accurate as possible. He has a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and is currently studying aviation and working on his commercial pilot license. Austin plans to join one of the airlines in the future. He loves playing video and board games with his friends in his free time.

Mitchell Aist Internal Systems and Data Engineer Mitchell has a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and an MBA in Finance from the University of Colorado, Denver. Mitchell brings experience from his career as a financial software implementation consultant. In his free time, he loves hiking with his dog in the Rocky Mountains, snowboarding, and creating articles and videos for his personal blog!

Ann Aist Administrator Ann Aist is the newest member of the Westward Sales team. She is a recently retired elementary English Language Specialist who brings her skills to edit the website and newsletter and handles shipping, banking, and administrative tasks. When she isn’t at work, she’s hiking and jeeping with Kelvin in the mountains and spending time with their family of four boys.

Diana Richards Senior Accountant Diana has 40 years of experience in accounting and is a certified Quickbooks Pro. She specializes in small to medium businesses, utilizing her unique skills in auditing, payroll, and bookkeeping. Diana splits her time between accounting and raising two children, and helping with six grandkids. In her spare time, she enjoys bible study, bowling, and spending time with friends and family.