Myla Petree, NEMA Motors Plant Manager in Westville, Oklahoma, and Kristin Toth, Planning and Fulfillment Manager, Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, have been named 2019 STEP Award winners by The Manufacturing Institute.
The STEP Ahead initiative was conceived to help combat the gender gap in manufacturing by highlighting women in science, technology, engineering and production roles. The Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, launched the STEP Ahead Initiative in 2012 to celebrate women in the manufacturing industry through leadership, research and recognition. The STEP Awards highlight the achievements of women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their companies and communities. These women are honored with a formal gala with national reach.
Myla Petree, STEP Ahead Honoree
The 400-person Westville ABB plant produces Baldor-Reliance® branded AC, DC and servo NEMA motors, about 2200 a day. Manufacturing is in Myla’s blood; her mom worked for a larger manufacturer for almost 40 years. Myla remembers her mother, who was a supervisor, coming home one day and telling Myla about a process that wasn’t working and was causing everyone frustration because it “wasn’t designed correctly from the beginning.”
“When she said that, it really stuck with me! I learned that manufacturing is – and should always be – by design. I realized then that I could use my creativity to design great processes that really make a difference for folks,” she said. “I love working with great people making great products at a company that invests in you. It’s an amazing combination, and it’s a ton of fun!”
Myla took advantage of development opportunities at each organization she was a part of, but mainly credits excellent mentors for contributing to her success. These weren’t necessarily mentors she was assigned to - they were simply people who saw her potential and invested the time to guide, coach, and support her efforts. They were patient with her and helped her to leverage her strengths and to also figure out how she could be better and grow.
“If you love working with people, and love working on a different challenge every day, manufacturing could be the career for you!” she says. “And ABB is the place to be: we invest in our people.” Read Myla’s official STEP Award profile here.
Kristin Toth, STEP Ahead Emerging Leader
Though she is extremely successful today, Kristin Toth’s career got off to a bit of a shaky start. After graduating with an accounting degree, she went into Auditing, and…simply didn’t enjoy it.
Then a mentor suggested she read The Goal, by Eliyahu Goldratt. It’s a business book written in the form of a novel. It’s about a factory, the problems they had, and how the workers solved them, all within the framework of continuous improvement. She loved it, and it changed the trajectory of Kristin’s life. She went into supply chain with no experience whatsoever, none in SAP, or purchasing, or procurement. But she loved solving problems and was good at it. Her manager saw her potential and attitude and knew that Kristin could learn the skills.
“I was really open! I was thrilled to get my hands dirty and learn the supply chain function and the continuous improvement way of working. Mt. Pleasant PGHV (Power Grids High Voltage) was willing to take a chance on me,” she said. “What I love about supply chain is that it’s all about knowing what an internal or external customer needs and finding the best way to satisfy those needs: through services, products, or solutions. Every day is a puzzle and problem-solving activity.”
Kristin particularly appreciates the team environment of supply chain, working cross-functionally to solve problems. And she loves working for a company that reinforces people’s efforts and recognizes them for hard work. Read Kristin’s official STEP Award profile here.
Formal recognition
Myla and Kristin and the other honorees were recognized at a formal event in April, 2019. The national event serves as a platform for discussions and sharing of best practices that attract, retain and advance women in manufacturing. The event included educational programming, mentoring and networking through partnerships with other associations, communities and educational institutions.
ABB salutes both of these talented women!
