Page 42 - MetalForming-Dec-2018-issue

Kris Hanson
Workforce Development Representative Pine Technical and Community College
Pine City, MN
A 13-year employee of Pine Technical and Community College, Kris, for the past two years, has served as the corner- stone of the Women in Welding grant that was awarded to the school through a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Equity Grant, which focuses on teaching women in the region nontraditional skills, such as welding, and assisting in finding employment in the metalforming industry.
Her nominator says Kris “goes above and beyond the call of duty, finding safe- ty equipment and even gasoline vouch- ers for financially strapped students. Her community involvement and positive attitude are on full display as she con- nects with students at a personal level. She truly cares about what is going on in their lives and it shows in the way she helps them get ready for their future by organizing field trips to local manufactur- ing shops, and helping them with the soft skills necessary to complement the technical knowledge they gain from class.”
“Manufacturing offers a livable wage and many opportunities for trained workers, which industry needs.”
Misty Hettinger
Welding Department Leader KT Fabrication
Chandler, AZ
A 17-year industry veteran, Misty has for the past three years been a valuable member of the KT Fabrication team, perfecting her welding skills to the level of advanced journeyman, leading the company’s welding department in its custom architectural-metal fabrication and expanding her blueprint-reading capabilities.
Her nominator says that Misty repre- sents positive change in our industry by showing that women can do anything that men can do, and that her infectious enthusiasm and optimism allow her to break down barriers. In other words, while her extreme welding talent does most of the talking, she's also mastered communication skills that enable her to effectively lead the company’s novice and skilled fabricators.
“I feel honored to be acknowledged for doing what I truly love. I couldn’t have done it without people along the way that believed in me, and took the time to help develop my skills. Don’t ever give up. You can do anything you put your mind to, with hard work, dedica- tion, devotion and passion.”
Carrie Jacobson
Global Director of Launch, Quality and Improvement Waukesha Metal Products Sussex, WI
Carrie has dedicated her 30-year career to leading and improving manu- facturing. While she’s been with Wauke- sha Metal Products for just one year, her accomplishments are many. She has implemented process-improvement and program-launch initiatives; revamped best practices and the company’s quality program; improved quote-risk analysis; streamlined and improved customer audits; and coordinated the approval of the new IATF certification.
Her nominator describes Carrie as a “quick-thinking problem solver with a get-it-done personality. She leads by example and has the amazing ability to see through the weeds and blaze a trail to success. By holding herself to a higher standard, she raises the collective stan- dards of the entire company. I've learned so much just by being in the same room with her.”
“During my career in manufacturing I have experienced a variety of cultures and environments that have engaged me from both leadership and quality/engi- neering perspectives. In each and every position and at each company where I have worked, I have been given the opportunity to grow as a person and as a professional, and have been rewarded by making a positive difference. If you find engineering or leading others through change to be a passion of yours, then the manufacturing world is for you.”
40 MetalForming/December 2018
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