Featured Employee
Romana, Employee of the Month – August
Interview by Lynda Olander
With her hard-working, never say “no” attitude, Reel-to-Reel Machine Operator, Romana was selected as employee of the month for August.
PPC: I understand that you left your home country, Poland, in 1999 to come to Chicago. Why?
RS: My husband moved here in 1997, his family was already here. I stayed in Poland with our sons working as a bookkeeper. I lived in a very small city. Finally, I got to move here but I asked my husband “where is the school?”. He said “Well, you follow this yellow bus; it takes you to the school”!
PPC: Did you start working right away?
RS: I got a job in a Polish factory as an Electrical Welder, and then I became a Press Operator and then Supervisor. I didn’t like being a Supervisor at that company. I had to solve all the problems myself, no one would help me. A friend of mine who was working in the Chemical Lab here told me about some job opportunities at Precision.
PPC: So you applied and got a job as a Reel-to-Reel Machine Operator?
RS: Yes and I do like it. Virgie was my first mentor. She is a very good teacher. I am always very busy. Like today, I ran 52 Line and the reels for the job took only 16 minutes each. I was running back and forth all day.
PPC: Do you ever think that there might be something else that you would like to do?
RS: Well, I would like to learn more from Steve. I want to do Set Up. Now, if he gets a chance, he shows me everything he can.
PPC: Tell us about your family.
RS: My husband and I have been married 23 years. He likes to take care of the house, fixing things and he loves the yard and our pond. We even have fish. We have three sons – Marcin (23), Paul (20) and Mark (13). Our older sons both work near O’Hare. Our youngest is in Eighth Grade. He plays soccer and baseball. He had never played baseball before this year. He is a pitcher. His coach invited him to go to New York this summer to a baseball camp. He loved it.
PPC: Sounds like he keeps you pretty busy.
RS: Yes, I go to his soccer games every Sunday. I help him practice his baseball. We are both Cubs fans. We spend a lot of time together.
PPC: Do you have any other hobbies?
RS: I like to entertain. I enjoy baking – cheese cake, apple cake, things like that I serve to my friends. I also love swimming. I am very active.
PPC: Any closing comments?
RS: I want to say that I really like the people here. I like how we all work together and help each other. We really do work as a team on my shift.
Jose “Lupe”, Employee of the Month – July
Jose “Lupe”, Employee of the Month – July
Interview by Lynda Olander
The backbone of our second shift Rack Department is Rack Plater, Lupe. His consistent productivity and troubleshooting skills were key to his winning the Employee of the Month award for July, 2007.
PPC: First, I have to ask about the name “Lupe”. How did you get that nickname?
LE: My middle name is Guadalupe. That’s where I got that name.
PPC: Your last name is pretty well known here. Are you all related?
LE: Yes, we are family and this is a family business. In fact, I met my wife, Maria Elena, here at Precision. We have been married almost 8 years now.
PPC: You’ve been at Precision nine years. Where were you before that?
LE: I was living in Washington D.C. I heard about the job opening at Precision from a friend who worked here at the time. I decided to move to Chicago to be closer to my family and apply for the job. Also, I like Chicago’s cold weather.
PPC: What did you first do here?
LE: I started in shipping and was there for two years. Then I asked for an opportunity in the Rack Department. I thought that would be interesting for me.
PPC: Is it?
LE: I enjoy it a lot. I like all the different projects, it is always changing and it is challenging. I am never bored. I like that. I have learned many different processes and I can help out the other platers when they have a little trouble.
PPC: What happens if you have trouble, who do you go to?
LE: If he is available, I go to Lou (Vignocchi). He is my hero. I respect him very much.
PPC: Describe your home life.
LE: Beautiful. That’s what it is, beautiful. I love my wife, Maria and our two daughters, Gloria , age 7, and Citlalli (a Mayan name), age 6. I also have a son in Mexico who is 13 now. I get to see him twice a year when we go to Mexico (Neza Edo) for a visit.
PPC: What do you do in your free time?
LE: We go to buffets, visit with our relatives, go for ice cream. We like to ride our bikes in the park. We listen to Christian music, as well as smooth jazz and Mexican music. My parents are with us now from Mexico and we love to have them around.
PPC: What are your goals for the future:
LE: I want to keep the family together; we help each other and learn from each other. I want to see my daughters grow up and have a career. As long as my family is around I am happy. Without them, I am empty.
Barbara, Employee of the Month – June
Two years ago, Barbara left the two jobs that she was working to join Precision’s Chemical Lab staff.
PPC: So exactly what are your duties here at Precision?
BS: First thing in the morning, I collect samples of the Miralloy solutions from the General [Rack & Barrel] area. I analyze all of the solutions and make the calculations for any additions to the solutions. Then I analyze the precious metal solutions, and make the calculations for adds to those solutions. I also analyze the non-precious solutions and make the calculations for the adds. We have a lot of solutions so this takes quite a bit of time.
PPC: What do you like best about your job here?
BS: I like to be busy and I am. I am a Chemist so I enjoy working in the Lab but I like to see what is going on in production too. I would like to learn more about plating.
PPC: What is your biggest challenge?
BS: I think it’s my English. I can read it well and I understand perfectly but I sometimes get confused when speaking. I went to National Louis University to study English. I would take another class, but I don’t have very much time.
PPC: How many languages do you speak?
BS: I used to be fluent in Russian, it was like speaking Polish to me. And since I grew up near the German border, I also know German. But I don’t get an opportunity to speak these languages here, so I am not as good as I once was.
PPC: What do you do for fun?
BS: I like to read and go to movies. I love swimming, especially in Lake Michigan and sometimes I run. My friends and I go out for dinner at different restaurants, not Polish one’s (I can cook that at home).
PPC: Were you surprised to be chosen as the Employee of the Month of June?
BS: Very much. I thank Becky for that. She and I are both specific and exacting; I think that’s why I enjoy working for her. I also like my trophy. I have it at home.
Featured Employee
Richard, Our Employee of the Month of June 2008
Second shift Maintenance guru and all around handy man, Richard is eager to help out wherever he is needed.
PPC: How did you find out about a job opening at Precision?
RG: I have been friends with Casey [Precision vendor, Julian’s Roofing] for many years. He told me about the position here about five years ago.
PPC: How did you meet Casey?
RG: I left Poland with my wife Cecylia in 1970 and came to Chicago. I started a cleaning service company because I did not speak English at first. Casey’s father worked for me. Casey and I became close friends and in fact I am the godfather to his son and he is godfather to mine.
PPC: How did you get into Maintenance work?
RG: After the cleaning company, I took a job in the assembly department of a manufacturing company where I worked for 19 years, until they moved out of state. After that I took a job in a Maintenance Department of another company for six years. I am handy and enjoy working with wood and doing electric work.
PPC: Describe your job today.
RG: I work on the second shift. I do maintenance on all of our production equipment. It is important to respond quickly whenever anyone has a problem needing maintenance. In my spare time, I rejuvenate pumps.
PPC: How do you spend your free time?
RG: My wife and I have three adult children and eight grandchildren. We have a little cottage outside of the City where the whole family spends the weekends together. We go boating and water skiing in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. I have an ATV 4 wheel cycle that is fun. And my kids just bought me a bow and arrow. I plan to do a little hunting this fall.
PPC: How do you like working at Precision?
RG: I enjoy my work here and I do a good job. To me, it feels like family here. I plan to retire from PPC.
Lily is Employee of the Month for September 2007
Interview by Lynda Olander
Always moving and wearing that great smile, Lily is busy in the Barrel Breakdown department.
PPC: How long have you worked from Precision?
LR: I started here in 2000 as a Racker/Inspector on the second shift. I did that for two years.
PPC: What was your next job here?
LR: When EN (Electrolysis Nickel) Department started, I moved to that department. It was new and exciting. Then I was transferred to Barrel Breakdown. I like it a lot.
PPC: Tell us a little about your typical day.
LR: We receive the orders directly from the Receiving Department. We verify the count of the parts received and break them down into their load size. Then we deliver the parts to the appropriate line. When needed, we assist with inspection. After the parts are plated, we pack them and cut the packing slips that travel to the customer with the order. This keeps all of us very busy; there is no time to sit around in our department. We keep the work flowing.
PPC: Do you ever think of any other positions that you would like at PPC?
LR: Well, I am told that I am very picky. I think I would like to work in the Q.A. department, helping Sylvia or something like that. There are other jobs here that interest me, but I would need more schooling. I like to learn new things.
PPC: What other things do you like about working here?
LR: I love the picnics, my kids really enjoy it. I like the Circle contests and I participate every issue. So far, I’ve won three times. I think Precision is a really cool environment. Everyone is friendly.
PPC: And after work?
LR: I’m a good mother to my three girls – Katherine (8), Alexandra (3) and my “miracle baby” Emily (2). My husband, Alberto, also works at a plating company (chrome plating) in the Environmental Treatment area, so we have lots to talk about. We are all very active; we love the summer, the park and going to movies.
PPC: Any other hobbies?
LR: I love to cook, my specialty is Mexican Enchiladas. I also like to read romantic soap opera books, tear-jerkers!
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