TECHNICAL TOOLBOX ISSUE 5 Continued on next page How did you fall into the metalcasting industry? GK: I am a 3rd generation of my family’s business, Lodi Iron Works. I also received my undergraduate degree at Cal State-Chico where I received an FEF scholarship. AHL: I have been in manufacturing for my whole career, starting in the automotive industry as a manufacturing engineer for Toyota. My career progressed through several industries and increasing job responsibilities cumulating in executive leadership. Five years ago, I was approached by a recruiter looking for an experienced manufacturing operations professional to take a Vice President of Operations position at an iron foundry and that is where I fell into this industry. NDR: When I applied for a job at DISA 18 years ago, I had little knowledge of the metalcasting industry. My background was in B2B marketing, and I held a Master’s in International Management. But I really wanted to work for an international company and had always enjoyed collaborating with engineers. My introduction to the metalcasting industry began as soon as I stepped into the DISA production facility. Witnessing a DISAMATIC molding machine in action, producing real aluminum castings in their trial facility left an indelible impression on me. I particularly recall the moment I touched the compacted sand mold and began to understand the remarkable technology behind this process. The concept of repeatedly recycling almost all of the sand fascinated me, as well as the diverse range of castings that could be made. What is your opinion on gender roles in the metalcasting industry? GK: I believe both genders are very capable in several roles. I do however believe that women tend to be better at multitasking. AHL:The automatic assumption is a woman cannot mold and pour metal. Every factory I have ever worked in has had a large population of female production team members. But you rarely see a woman in production in a foundry. Why not? Of course, it is dirty and heavy work, but women can do that work just as well as men. Just as a woman can be an engineer, a pilot, a doctor. Nothing should preclude women from this industry. I do not feel that this industry has been inclusive to women or in search of women. We need to get out there and make it known there are opportunities here. NDR: Nearly two decades ago, when I first entered the industry, it was predominantly a male environment, especially in technical and managerial roles, with very few women around. However, I have started to see a positive shift since we've been openly addressing gender inequality in the industry. It's important to note that this change is very slow, and we are still in the early stages of companies actively embracing and advocating for diversity and the numerous benefits it brings. This progress will only endure if we continue to proactively drive and show diversity - through interviews like this one, for example. What has been your biggest accomplishment in your career? GK: Watching our employees grow in their foundry knowledge has personally been a source of enormous pride. AHL: When I started out of college, my dream was to work in the automotive industry. I made it happen and succeeded. But, over the years, my career has taken turns and curves that I often did not expect or plan for. If you had told me 25 years ago that I would not still be in the automotive industry today, I would not have believed you. I had a poster in my dorm room that showed a girl coming to a fork in the road with a sign pointing out two different paths and you see her proceeding down one of the paths. The sign pointing down one fork of the road said “no longer an option” and the other side of the sign pointing down the other fork said “your life now.” The girl was proceeding down that path. My biggest accomplishment has been my ability to pivot with what my career and life throws at me. Taking on challenges I never thought I would. Diving into new industries head first with no previous experience. Pressing on through setbacks and curveballs that were unexpected. That is the greatest accomplishment for me. NDR: I am particularly proud of how far I’ve progressed in my career, considering my background as a young female without an engineering background. I've been fortunate to have had managers who consistently entrusted me with substantial responsibilities and provided remarkable job opportunities, where others might have hesitated to do so. This trust allowed me to demonstrate my capabilities and ultimately led me to my most substantial accomplishment to date: being entrusted with the opportunity of leading Norican's Industrial Internet of Things brand, Monitizer®, and spearheading Norican’s digital strategy.
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