In this interview, we chatted with a long-time employee who has risen from a temporary worker to a production supervisor over 24 years. She discusses her career journey, her pride in past projects and her aspirations in her new role. She also shares insights into her daily tasks and relaxation techniques and offers advice for newcomers while revealing her hobbies and a little-known personal fact
1. Can you tell us about your journey with the company and how you started 24 years ago?
I began working here as a temporary employee in August of 1999. My aunt, who was employed at Volpi then, informed me that the company was hiring. I started in the optical polishing and grinding department. After that, I moved to the production floor, where I have built many different products over the years, ranging from light sources and fiber optic cables to working in a clean room. I have pretty much done it all. Gradually, I took on more responsibilities, which led me to my current role as the production supervisor. When I first started in ’99, I was engaged, and now I have been married for 24 years and have two sons
2. Can you share a project or initiative from your time with the company that you are particularly proud of?
I always reflect on the first project I worked on: Beckman Coulter 105 leg. It is the longest-running job here at Volpi, and it is the first job I learned from start to finish almost 25 years ago.
3. How do you feel about your recent promotion to production supervisor, and what are your goals in this new role?
I feel honored to be promoted. I have worked for years to get to this position. It has been a long road, but I feel that I am ready for it. My goals in this new role are to maintain and assist the production team in any way I can, from listening to their concerns to implementing new ideas that help make a production line run smoother. I will continue to work side by side with the production team, procurement and sales to ensure on-time deliveries of all our products.
4.Can you describe a typical day as a production supervisor at our Auburn, NY, location?
At the start of each day, my first task is to run through our shipping report. This helps me see exactly what items we need to get out the door and if we are running low on materials or short-staffed on the production lines. Depending on the day’s priorities, I might update our training logs to ensure everything is current. And if any of our production lines are overwhelmed or need extra hands, I am always ready to step in and assist.
Besides my daily tasks, I always chat with Lori, Volpi’s shipping manager, to get a clear picture of our shipping schedule for the current day and the rest of the week. This helps me plan and ensure we are prepared. After that, I walk through the production area to check in with the team. I am here to see if they need any help or if there’s anything they are missing. If I find a line that’s falling behind or could use some help, I don’t hesitate to get involved and help out in any way needed. I aim to keep things moving smoothly and ensure we meet our shipping deadlines without a hitch.
5. What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
My favorite part of the day is at the end when my colleagues and I take a moment to sit at our desks and reflect on all that we’ve achieved. It’s incredibly satisfying to look over the numbers and see the tangible results of our hard work, like how much inventory we have managed to stock up or the volume of products we’ve successfully shipped out. These moments of reflection are a great reminder of the progress we make each day, and they give us a sense of accomplishment that is really rewarding.
6. How do you unwind and relax after a busy day at work?
Once the workday winds down, I look forward to heading home and unwinding with my dog, Dexter, my husband, Tim, and my two sons, Tim and Mitch. We enjoy simple pleasures like taking a leisurely walk together or settling down to watch some TV. It’s a great way for us to reconnect and relax after a busy day. Additionally, I find peace in attending to my plants, watering them, and taking care of their needs. These small, quiet moments at home help me recharge and prepare for the next day.
7. What advice would you give someone just starting their career with the company?
The most valuable advice I have ever received came from my friend Jeanie Petrosino, who worked at Volpi when I started. She told me that if someone offers you the chance to learn a new job or skill, you should just go for it. So, if I were to pass on any wisdom, it would be to seize every opportunity to learn as much as you can. Becoming more versatile benefits you and makes you a greater asset to the company. It’s advice that has served me well, and I believe it can make a significant difference for anyone in their career.
8. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Are there any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
I enjoy woodworking in the back of my garage in my free time. I have a section set up as a workbench because my boys take up most of the garage space with their cars. Once you get past the cars, there is a workshop where I like to spend time building different things out of pallet wood. I am grateful to Lori for giving me the extra pallets she does not use. If you ever come to Volpi US, I have built a Volpi flower planter outside the shipping dock door. People in production bring in flowers and plant them in the box I have made. It is the second year we are doing this, so we are starting a tradition.
9. Lastly, what is something about you that most people at work might not know?
I am a country girl at heart who loves horses and my truck. Other than that, I have been here so long that everybody knows most things about me.