Page 43 - MetalForming November 2017

Laura Schoenborn-Elsner
Director of Workforce Development DeWys Manufacturing, Inc.
Marne, MI
Laura is on the front lines of finding, educating and training the next genera- tion of manufacturing employees. She organizes education programs and career fairs at local high schools, and serves as the dean of DeWys University, a trade-school-type program that develops talent for DeWys Manufacturing. Laura created the DeWys University’s entire training curriculum for Machining, Cut- ting, Welding, Powder Coating, Press Brakes and Assembly, with each module lasting to 12 weeks.
In addition to overseeing the educa- tion of others, Laura is in the process of completing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Career and Technical Education.
“I want to make a difference, I want to make change happen and I want to be a part of an industry that is innovative —that is why I work in manufacturing and am so passionate about showing people the vast amount of career oppor- tunities manufacturing offers. I see women and the younger generation in general lacking the ability to identify themselves in a manufacturing career, and my goal is to give them every oppor- tunity to find that experience that helps them find that identity.”
Donti Hawkins
Vice President of Operations Carmeco, Inc.
Lebanon, MO
Donti started at Carmeco as a secre- tary 28 years ago and climbed through the office ranks to positions including office manager, operations manager, executive committee and, finally, vice president of operations.
She started out with little knowledge of the industry, says her nominator, but learned quickly and excelled at taking on leadership roles. As her knowledge has grown, Donti has taken to managing resources and motivating and educating employees, becoming the driving force for meeting company goals. She regular- ly leads by example, expecting everyone, herself included, to put forth their best effort.
“She has been a very important part of our company's success over the years,” says her nominator, “and her leadership is helping ensure our future successes.”
“After 28 years at Carmeco, Inc., I would definitely recommend a career in manufacturing for women. I have had the benefit of seeing many advances in manufacturing technology first hand. As the backbone of our economy, manufac- turing offers many diverse career oppor- tunities for men and women. I would encourage women to explore the ever- changing careers that the industry has to offer.”
Kim Bassett
President/CEO
Bassett Mechanical, Inc. Kaukauna, WI
During her 11 years at the helm of Bassett Mechanical, Kim has embraced operational and cultural change. She led a lean transformation at the company that has helped revenue soar, according to her nominator. In terms of company culture, Kim’s nominator says that her “’secret cultural sauce’ is that there is a true level of caring for the customer, employees, community and business results. It’s experienced every day.”
Kim is considered a skilled and fair manager, establishing clear and mean- ingful goals and allowing for open dia- logue about those goals. She routinely invests in the future of Basset Mechani- cal, both in terms of technology and employee growth, where she supports formal leadership development programs and pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs, and sponsors seminars for professional and individual growth.
“Manufacturing offers a challenging environment for problem solving, mak- ing decisions and creating and building things. There are opportunities to inter- act with many facets of the company— R&D, engineering, fabrication and cus- tomers. Manufacturing is about possibilities. No two days are the same. It allows you to challenge yourself and others beyond what you have ever imagined.”
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