Page 40 - MetalForming-Dec-2018-issue

Stacey Bales
Owner/President
Bales Metal Surface Solutions Downers Grove, IL
Stacey gained her start in the family business 20 years ago as office manager before assuming the presidency nine years ago, shortly after the passing of her dad, Steve Bales, who cofounded the company with his brother Mike (retired) in 1978 as Bales Mold Service. As co-owners, Stacey and her sister Sara, who serves as vice president, rebranded the company as Bales Metal Surface Solutions in 2012.
In addition to her responsibilities as company head, Stacey serves as secre- tary/treasurer of the Chicago Midwest Chapter of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) and the Chicago Surface Finishing Foundation, and as a member of the Technology and Manufac- turing Association Young Leaders Com- mittee and The Future Leaders in Plastic group, a segment of SPI:The Plastics Industry Trade Association. Locally, Stacey is a charter member of the Downers Grove Kiwanis Club. Her awards include the 2018 NASF Award of Merit; 2017 Products Finishing Top 40 Under 40; 2016 TMA Young Leader Award; and Plastics News 2015 Rising Star
“As an employee,” says her nomina- tor, “I get to witness the work Stacey does to ensure our company continues performing well.”
“Manufacturing is exciting! I love being able to see new projects every day, being able to work through complex chal- lenges with like-minded colleagues and having the opportunity to grow exponen- tially both personally and professionally.”
Mary Jane Bushell
President and Chief Executive Officer Larsen & Shaw Ltd.
Walkerton, Ontario, Canada
Joining the company in a clerical role 31 years ago, Mary Jane excelled in pro- gressively challenging roles in administra- tion, sales and manufacturing, which enabled her to learn all aspects of the company’s operations. In 2007, she was promoted to vice president of operations, where her work ethic, intelligence and natural leadership skills could be applied while overseeing all manufacturing func- tions. Mary Jane assumed overall leader- ship of the company in 2013, and has since led the effort to expand manufactur- ing operations into the United States with the successful opening of a hinge-manu- facturing plant in Rome, GA. She’ll be at the helm in 2019, when Larsen & Shaw celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Mary Jane has demonstrated leader- ship in every role she has taken with Larsen & Shaw, showing an exemplary work ethic, integrity, analysis and sound judgment, fairness, and compassion, her nominator proclaims. Leading by example, she always looks for the good in each person and inspires others to perform at high levels. Given all of that, her nomina- tor says, “she would say her greatest achievement is her marriage and two daughters. I am proud that Mary Jane leads our company.”
“New-age manufacturing involves complex IT systems, training and develop- ment programs, automation, and technol- ogy. There has never been a better time for women to expand into this space to enjoy challenging and rewarding careers.”
Michelle Hamm
Director of Engineering Highlands Diversified Services Inc. London, KY
Over her 19 years at Highlands Diver- sified Services, Michelle has been instru- mental in developing processes, technol- ogy and systems to support launch activities and achieve International Auto- motive Task Force (IATF) quality stan- dards. These efforts have set the stage for the company’s current launch activi- ties, which include more than 200 new automotive-part numbers over the next 12 months.
Her mindset of tackling any problem and finding a sustainable solution, as her nominator notes, allows her to excel as the company’s director of engineering and has earned the respect of customers. As an example, Michelle was specifically selected by an automotive client to attend a global supplier event in Japan, where she was presented with one of only two awards given to North Ameri- can suppliers.
“Every day is a new challenge. Throughout my career I have always approached each project as an opportu- nity to make improvements and provide solutions that meet financial targets and timelines. I would encourage young women that enjoy problem solving, have an ability to think beyond the obvious, and have confidence in themselves and their strengths to pursue a career in manufacturing.”
38 MetalForming/December 2018
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