Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/893182
14 PalletCentral • September-October 2017 palletcentral.com improve what I do and who I am," says Debra, who recently completed an exclusive mentoring program sponsored by Monsanto that dives deeply into every aspect of business. "It's one of the most intense programs I've ever done. Anytime I had a question related to what I was doing, they would find somebody in the organization to help," she says. Among her proudest accomplishments is the work culture that sustains the business. "Our employees define our success," she says. "It's a small company with an open-door policy, and I'm a strong proponent of work-life balance." As the business has grown and changed, so has the industry. "When I was younger, I felt like we had a lot of corporate buyers in the oil and gas industry. I would go to these meetings and feel like they were patting me on the head," she says. "That was the business world then. It's easier now. I've seen the difference, how that generational thinking has been phased out. Younger generation professionals are used to dealing with women in business." Work Hard, Have Passion KATHLEEN DIETRICH VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL LUMBER AND PALLET COMPANY K athleen Dietrich just wanted to earn some extra money while attending school, so she answered a Help Wanted ad for a receptionist at a local lumber company. That fortuitous decision led to a career in the industry when she joined Commercial Lumber and Pallet Company. "It was super exciting watching the company grow and utilizing so many day to day opportunities to increase my knowledge of the company and the pallet industry, and be a part of the innovation and initiatives that allowed the company to evolve from the then current technologies to what we have today," she says. Kathleen rose from an entry level position to become operations manager, vice-president and a partner in the company. "[Owner] Ray Gutierrez called me into his office at our new facility and thanked me for all of my efforts and years of service and contribution, and wanted to thank me by making me a part of the foundation of his new company. He made me a partner," she recalls. "My heart was full of pride and gratitude." She cites hard work and a collaborative spirit as the keys to a happy and successful career. "I just worked really hard side by side with the key people to progress the growth of the Pallet Division, learned everything I could about the process from start to finish of what it takes to manufacture a pallet, provide quality service to our customers, and offer fair pricing in order to be competitive," she says. "I paid attention and educated myself by reading industry publications, watching forecasts and listening. I've always felt that I just needed to know of what I speak, listen to others and learn, and most importantly care about your employees and the peers you work with." LEADERS "I'm always looking to improve what I do and who I am." Debra Berry w