What was your first job?
Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable at a family owned construction tool Manufacturer in Gibsonia

What do you do in your current role?
Designs and sustains digital processes in our Manufacturing Execution System to meet the needs of Zoll’s production and service model under regulatory requirements for a Class III medical device. Leads the other Manufacturing Systems Specialist by serving as Scrum Master and continually working to standardize and improve our teams processes and outputs.

 How/why did you begin your career in manufacturing?
I was working as a contractor for a time in 2010 and landed an entry level assembly job at Zoll, making Electrocardiogram (ECG) assemblies for Electrode Belt device of the LifeVest system. I was hired on after my contract period in 2011 and within a year I transferred to the Materials team, working as a Material Handler, then Lead for several years in the warehouse before moving to the MES team as a Manufacturing Systems Specialist in 2016.

 What is your educational background?
Office Administration at Bradford School in Pittsburgh

 What do you like most about your current position and work you are doing in manufacturing? 
I like the variety of work I get to be involved in that all relate to the Manufacturing process in some way, whether it’s executing a project for a new process or change to an existing process, working with Engineering on Sustaining or NPD projects, troubleshooting an issue with an Operator on the shop floor, or working with my team to standardize our own processes. It can sometimes make for a chaotic day, but there’s never a dull moment and there’s always something new to keep you on your toes!

 What is the biggest thing that surprised you about manufacturing when you started working in the industry? 
I didn’t realize what it truly meant to work for an FDA regulated company that makes Class III Medical Devices. There are a great number of considerations to be made, including rules and regulations regarding Product Labeling, Product Design and Test, New Build, Rework and Service processes, documentation and system requirements that we must meet that pose unique challenges in comparison to other manufacturing companies.

What is your #1 piece of advice for young people to prepare for a successful future?
Have a willingness to learn, be persistent, and have a growth mindset.

 Why should someone consider a career in manufacturing?
Manufacturing is an essential part of the world we live in and through human innovation, creativity, and problem solving there will always be new and better products to be manufactured!

 What is something you enjoy doing outside of work?
I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ragnar. He’s a Toy Fox Terrier and though he is quite small, he has a big personality. We love to go on walks or hikes, sitting outside sunbathing. I also enjoy listening to music, reading books, camping/hiking/kayaking, staying active, playing pool, and playing video games.