Women In Manufacturing Employee Spotlight

TRACI SHUMARD

Tracie Shumard came to Great Plains Industries in 2016 at the suggestion of her dear friend Lois, who was the warehouse lead at the time. With no previous experience, she was a bit nervous about whether she would be able to meet the company’s needs. It turned out the position was a great fit for her, and she really enjoys her job in the warehouse. 

Currently she is the water strider, but she has held every position in warehouse including line server, shipping/receiving clerk, and frequently as trainer! Tracie, also a member of the safety committee, says,

“Keeping everyone safe is our number one goal!!”   

Fast forward 8 years and Tracie feels very blessed to get to work at such a great company. She has the flexibility of being able to work independently and to also come together as a team with others to get the job done. Her favorite thing about coming to work is definitely the people she works for and with, sharing,

“When you work with others who make you feel appreciated and acknowledged, it makes for a much more positive work environment.” 

Tracie does encourage women to work in manufacturing, especially on our team, stating, 

“It is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice with plenty of opportunity for growth and the chance to make a real impact.”

CARI BOCKOVER

Meter line production flow coordinator Cari Bockover was a first-timer in the manufacturing industry when she came to Great Plains Industries. Employed here since 2017, Cari has held several positions, from assembly to Production Flow Coordinator (PFC) to meter scheduling. After some time in the scheduling position, Cari knew that the production floor was where she really wanted to be and made the move back to PFC. Cari believes that

“Women today set the example for women tomorrow:  What better role model is there for young women than women who break down gender barriers?”

Our resident eternal optimist, Cari brings an instinctual drive to help people and a want to create a space where people come to work and make quality products! She believes that work doesn’t always have to be “work” and with the right balance, team efficiency and morale can skyrocket!

LISA VILLALOBOS

Longtime Great Plains Industries employee, Lisa Villalobos is a second-shift assembly trainer. She started her career with the company in 2011 and became a trainer in 2020. Lisa’s mom introduced her to our company while she worked here – and the rest is history! 

Lisa says that the best part of her job is,

“definitely the people I have met and work with every day.”

She encourages other women to take a chance in manufacturing too because they have just as many advancement opportunities!

JANET DASH

Manufacturing has been a great fit for Janet Dash. She likes to develop her skills and abilities, and she enjoys the process of hands-on building to see her finished product in the end. Janet recommends women work in manufacturing, and especially Great Plains Industries, because of the friendly working environment and a steady workload, as well as the ability to learn and grow.

Janet comes to our team with a background in aircraft manufacturing that left her wanting a more steady, stable workplace. Her friend Sara recommended Great Plains Industries. Janet has worked on multiple assembly lines, increasing her knowledge to eventually become an Operator Self-Inspector. She states,

“I love coming to work because of the people that I work with, I have a great team, a great boss, I like the management, and I have made friends here at work.”

MELISSA JAMES

Pump Assembler Melissa James had her sights on Great Plains Industries before she joined our team. Her son worked with us before her employment, and she wanted to work here for some time. When Melissa saw an opportunity to become part of Great Plains Industries, she took it! Not only was this a career change but she had the added benefits of loving the atmosphere and pride in achievement of success.

Would Melissa recommend a career in manufacturing to women? It's a definite YES! Melissa says,

“There are many opportunities to be successful and women are able to show their talent in a manufacturing workplace.”

KADEDRA LAWSON

Kadedra Lawson is Great Plains Industries’ wonderful Warehouse Operations Manager. Kadedra joined our team in 2014 when a friend who worked here recommended that she join us, and the rest is history,

“Prior to GPI, I did not have any manufacturing or warehouse experience. GPI and I ‘took a shot in the dark’ and now I have a forever career.”

What does Kadedra love about her job?

“I LOVE the family atmosphere. The warehouse team has become like my second family – I enjoy working with each person. I have built friendships that will last a lifetime. GPI’s leadership team helped bring out strengths in me that I didn’t know existed. I am encouraged to be creative with my work and my team. I enjoy that I am allowed to be myself here.”

She has held many other positions since she joined our team, starting as a Line Server, moving from Receiving Clerk, Warehouse Assistant Lead, and Warehouse Lead.

When asked if she would encourage other females to pursue careers in manufacturing, she says,

“Manufacturing used to have a stigma of being a ‘man’s job’ and sometimes that rumor still lingers around. In 2024 that is far from the truth. Manufacturing is a career path for everyone no matter their gender. I have found a true passion for working in manufacturing/warehousing.”

KATELYNN CAIN

Katelynn Cain has been a member of the Great Plains Industries team for three years. She was introduced to us during an active job search. A contracting company found Katelynn’s resume and called her about an opportunity we had. And shortly after that call, Katelynn started her first manufacturing job!  

Katelynn was hired as an Assembler, and after one year she transitioned to Trainer. In October 2023, Katelynn became one of the first two Motor Technicians for Great Plains Industries. She has been on the move! Katelynn loves the challenge of her job and that she is constantly learning new things by using problem solving skills. She also loves that she gets to help various departments. 

Katelynn would encourage everyone to try manufacturing for a career, as it is very broad and there are several career paths to choose from. She states, “In my personal experience, it is a great place to start if you are not quite sure what you want to do yet. GPI has been flexible and supportive with furthering my career and even my education.” 

JESSICA GAMA

Jessica Gama has a long history in customer service before her move to manufacturing. After twelve years in retail and call centers – definitely not her calling – Jessica found Great Plains Industries through a temp agency. She worked on the line as an assembler for almost 6 years and in August 2023 she was promoted to Motor Technician.

As to why she would encourage women to have a career in manufacturing, Jessica says,

“If you don't like being tied down to a desk and like to be active at a job this is where it’s at.  I have really learned a lot since being here and continue to learn. I would so rather deal with a mechanical issue than a people issue lol.”

According to Ken Bollinger, her supervisor,

“Jessica is the go-to person for nearly anything for 2nd shift short of training, which is Lisa’s job. Additionally, she makes herself busy every night building parts and pieces anywhere we are short, or in any spot where she can be productive. Jessica is very well liked and respected and to date seems to be loved by all who know her. Jessica started out as an assembler, but soon became very adept at anything she was given exposure to. Lastly, she is kind, funny, and just a pure joy to be around.”

JACKIE JACKSON

Jackie Jackson has been assembling pumps at Great Plains Industries for about two years. She came to the manufacturing industry in search of opportunities with higher pay and learning experience different from where she was currently working. Word of mouth told Jackie that Great Plains Industries holds expectations of standards of the best quality of their products.

Jackie highly encourages women to have careers with GPI (manufacturing) because of the competitive work training, safety, and the ability to move up in the company. She adds that GPI has good leadership, management, and friendly people to work with.

Jackie’s supervisor Ken Bollinger adds,

“Jackie works a full time job on 1st shift before coming to work here on 2nd shift. She does this willingly to support her family, and she is a big driver of any production numbers where she is involved. Jackie cannot stand still and her hands must always be busy. To that end she can be a bit bossy if you don’t work at or near her standards. Jackie has an infectious smile and is well liked by her shift mates.”

CHRISTINA FINDLEY

Raw Material Flow Coordinator, Christina Findley grew up in a small town where job options were slim if you didn’t have a college degree, mainly farming and manufacturing. She had several family members who worked in manufacturing, so she gave it a try and has enjoyed it ever since!

When she moved to Wichita and needed a job, she went through a temp agency and got on at Great Plains Industries. She worked here for a year and a half before taking 8 months away, then returned and has been here ever since! She loves the friendly, family-like atmosphere her team and the company have and she enjoys doing something different every day.

Within Great Plains Industries, Christina has held assembly and material handling positions and is now in a lower management position. She says,

“All of these positions have taught me different aspects of the industry and have helped me grow.” As for what she would tell other females about a career in manufacturing? “It is satisfying work and there are several advancement opportunities and I feel as if women bring a different perspective to the industry.”

Christina brings an undeniable air of positivity to our company, and you will definitely leave a conversation with her with a smile on your face!