Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1508599
20 PalletCentral • September-October 2023 palletcentral.com Creating Possibilities from Determination Zilhad Dzihic Atlanta Pallets and Services President I n speaking with Zilhad Dzihic, president of Atlanta Pallets and Services, you would think that he started at the executive level to get to where he is today from the professionalism he demonstrates, but that is far from the truth. His story is a testament to personal resilience combined with belief in the American dream. Zilhad arrived in the U.S. as a refugee of a war-torn country with only his family and a big duffel bag of diapers for their infant child, through a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. "It's a rather unique story," Zilhad says proudly. "On May 9, 1994, my family and I immigrated from Bosnia to the United States to escape the Bosnian War between Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. U.S.-sponsored organizations guided us on our journey. Upon arriving, they immediately helped us to apply to get our legal documents, driver's license, Social Security identification, and all that. Within one month, we received legal documents from a local county where we lived at the time to be eligible to start working." At the time, Zilhad was 30 years old. He and his wife Velida had two children, an eight-month-old daughter, and a seven-year-old son, and none spoke any English. Pallet Dream Job e program's employment managers called soon after he achieved a work visa and offered a job opportunity at Atlanta Pallets and Services. Back in Bosnia, employment opportunities are not always available in a student's area of study. "I have a college degree in business management," he says, "and I lived in Bosnia, but I went into neighboring country Croatia to find work. I was driving a public bus as a young guy and it was good pay. And then my second job was as a production supervisor at a sawmill, so I had some lumber experience." In America, Zilhad was pleased to have a job offer immediately on the table. "I didn't mind what kind of job it was; I was happy to receive an offer to support my family. I accepted the job at Atlanta Pallets and Services on June 9, 1994 as a pallet builder." "It was tough to leave our country and everything we had behind. We basically had $50 in our pocket and didn't know where we were going to land, or what we'd find. I was grateful for the United States government to help us get here," he shares. "In a meeting with immigration officers in Croatia, they wanted to know what I could contribute to this country – not focus on what kind of welfare they're going to give to me when I got here. I came here with the mindset to contribute." Mentored by Management, Supported by NWPCA Zilhad was doing that laborer job for about four months, while at the same time attending English language night classes. Even with limited communication skills, the owners understood he had high goals for himself, saw his effort and drive, and didn't see language as a barrier. ey offered him a promotion to plant production manager for the small operation. From his prior experience, he began to improve existing processes in the operation. "I came here with the mindset to contribute." —Zilhad Dzihic, Atlanta Pallets and Services