Page 27 - MetalForming November 2016

Penny Rosso
President/Owner Pen Steel Inc. Omaha, NE
With a diploma in fashion merchan- dising, Penny was offered a job in steel sales at age 23. She succeeded, and in 1998 started her own business, Pen Steel, to provide steel components and materials to the steel industry. Fresh out of school she heard that she wouldn’t make it, and heard the same at the inception of her business. Neither time did she quit. She’s since expanded the company and brought in new equipment and capabilities.
She is adept at reading economic changes and reroutes Pen Steel’s busi- ness model accordingly, and has worked hard to develop a diverse group of clients that ensures success for the company and its employees. In the words of her nominator, “She can build a business relationship like no other.”
Both farmers, her father and grandfa- ther taught her the skills she continues to put to use today. Both have passed, but they’d be proud of the path that Penny has traveled.
“This industry offers many rewards for women. Compensation, whether it be personally or financially, and so many career paths as well: business ownership, management, engineering, quality control, operations... Every position in manufac- turing is interesting and has challenges— interesting and challenging is what sets the stage for women to be successful on their own. Metal is what's for a career!''
Patti Closson
Senior Manufacturing Supervisor McAlpin Industries
Rochester, NY
With McAlpin Industries for more than 28 years, Patti has seen her respon- sibilities grow to senior manufacturing supervisor, focusing on machining and final assembly. Her plant manager refers to her as “The Ultimate Tool Belt,” citing the fact that Patti is the go-to person for most production-related issues. Patti played a key role in the company’s ERP- system implementation and became McAlpin Industries’ operations subject- matter expert, learning the system quickly and taking on the responsibility of train- ing. In addition, she acts as a back-up to the plant manager and health and safety manager, filling in whenever needed. And there’s more, Patti rallies associates for community service projects such as the local Thanksgiving Baskets Appeal, and the company’s Adopt-A-Family holi- day project, and charity golf tournament.
Patti’s nominator sums up her leader- ship qualities: “Her associates line up behind her, follow her lead, and trust that she has their back.”
“Manufacturing offers many different opportunities for women—from engineer- ing products and processes, to managing people and suppliers, interacting with customers, and planning production. My favorite? Producing parts and keeping our customers happy! There is no better reward than at the end of the day know- ing that my team and I overcame the day’s challenges and were successful in making quality parts for our customers.”
Nivea Cruz-Manning
Production Supervisor OGS Technologies, Inc. Chesire, CT
For 36 years, Nivea has been with OGS technologies and its predecessor, starting fresh out of high school as a bench worker and using her persever- ance, and willingness to learn and take on new tasks to advance. In 2007, Nivea earned a promotion to manufacturing supervisor, in addition to her role as manager of the company’s lab and plat- ing operations.
Nivea took her high-school educa- tion and, with a lot of hard work, rose from an entry-level position to manage- ment of a 45,000-sq-ft. operation engaged in the manufacture of metal buttons, badges and insignia for mili- tary, law-enforcement and emergency- response personnel. She has a unique management style, notes her nomina- tor: “She is everybody's mother, every- body's friend and the one sought out for assistance when needed. Yet, she will stand up to a 250-lb. toolmaker if discipline is necessary, and still earn respect and admiration.”
“The world has changed since women were stereotyped as only suited for office jobs. No longer are we just Rosie the Riveter doing factory work because of the shortage of men. Armed with technical skills and leadership abili- ties, companies have recognized that women can compete with and work with men, doing whatever it takes to manufacture products.”
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