How long have you worked at Westec Plastics?
2 years. I had come from a competitor in the Bay Area looking for new opportunities in my field. It started with a simple phone call to the President of Westec Plastics, Tammy Barras, just to introduce myself and ask if she’d be interested in learning about my background and what I had accomplished at other companies. Although Westec was not actively looking at that time, we hit it off, and we were both mutually impressed enough to make a way to onboard me into my current role as Engineering Manager.
What does your typical day look like?
A typical day is anything but typical! This position allows me to work across multiple disciplines within our organization. On any given day, I could be doing anything including, addressing quality issues, developing an automation solution, running a design of experiments, sampling a mold, hosting a Zoom meeting with customers, generating a project plan, or setting up a work cell!
How has your career grown since starting at Westec?
Although I have prior experience in both automation and 2-shot injection molding, I have gotten even more exposure to these technologies than ever before with our investments in several collaborative robots (COBOTS), as well as three brand new 2-shot injection molding work cells. Even after more than 25 years of experience in the plastics industry, it is so fun to keep learning.
What is your favorite part about Westec?
I really enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork that is celebrated and encouraged throughout the organization. The management team really “gels” and we all balance off of one another nicely.
Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies/passions?
Mountain biking, skiing, hiking, camping, and traveling/exploring. Of course, I enjoy a nice dram of Scotch Whiskey now and then!
What’s a pet peeve that you would make illegal if you could?
People who do not respond when you greet them in passing should be ticketed and fined. It’s just rude!
In forty years, what will people be nostalgic for?!
Cars…..40 years from now we will be teleporting from place to place like on Star Trek!
To meet more of the Westec Plastics team, visit the “our team” page. Ready to start a partnership with us? Contact us today!
