Within TDC’s Premier Industrial Parks there are many businesses that literally keep us moving. Air Industrial Park hosts 25 businesses, Banker Road Industrial Park hosts 6 businesses and within these parks, a wide variety of international industrial manufacturers do business. Within those businesses are thousands of men and women assembling cables, machines, lighting, trains and buses by hand. In this series, we are sharing the stories of women working in the manufacturing industry throughout the Greater Plattsburgh region.
We asked a set of questions to learn what led these professionals to manufacturing and, to share what advice they could offer other people, especially women-to-women. These stories will certainly inspire others in many ways. They may validate current work or career paths, influence a change in job field or, pique the interest of young people as they enter the workforce or head off to college. Each woman's pathway is unique, and we are thankful for their hard work, dedication, perseverance and contributions to the North Country and to the manufacturing industry. We celebrate them and all women who make us move!
1. What education (both formal and informal) do you have, and how is it applicable to you in your career today?
I received a bachelor's degree in business management, and I had no idea what I was going to do with it. I just knew business came easy to me. I stumbled into a receptionist role at CVPH. I really liked it, and my manager recommended that I apply for a recruiter job. After I got that, I decided I love HR. I went back and got my Master of Arts with a focus on HR at SUNY Plattsburgh.
2. What advice would you give to young people, especially young women going into male-dominated industries?
Be true to yourself, and don't give up.
Make sure you find the right company to get into, and make sure your worth is shown.
3. Do you have a mentor/role model who you look up to or take inspiration from?
Kent Elridge. He was my boss at the hospital, then I changed jobs and later moved to Wyeth, where he had move to before coming to Monaghan. He taught me what to do and what not to do. For example, we played hockey together over the years and we're close because of it. He made it clear where play ended and work began and was a valuable example that I followed when forging my own path in HR.
4. Why do you love the Adirondacks?
I grew up in Brasher Falls, so I've always been familiar with the North Country. The city life is definitely not for me—besides, I love hockey and having four seasons, and my kids are here.
5. What changes would you like to see in the industry you are in, or in Plattsburgh as a whole?
I would like to see manufacturing make a better name for itself.
There are so many different roles in manufacturing that college graduates can come back to.
It's changed a lot in the 17 years since I've been here, but I wish it was more prevalent to people.
