Name: Lisa
Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame
Role: Process/Project Engineer
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Business: Silica Products
PPG Start Date: August 2007
Current Position:
I manage projects dealing with equipment replacement or refurbishment and new installations. This includes requesting project funding, investigating current/future operating specifications, communicating with vendors, coordinating plant operations with construction, and managing project budgets.
Career Path:
I started as a mechanical engineer in the Complex Engineering Services department in Lake Charles, LA. After four months of small project work in the Chlor/Alkali units, I moved to Silica Products where I began to manage larger projects.
Career Highlight:
My first large equipment installation was a 33,000 lb filter drum brought in through the roof. I had been working for just over a year and the fact that I was working with large cranes and heavy equipment was eye-opening. It was a great learning experience and gave me a good knowledge base for larger projects in the future.
Why I Like Working for PPG:
There is wealth of knowledge within the company, and sharing that knowledge is a key factor of success. From my experience within the operating units, there are plenty of people that are willing to impart their experiences and knowledge in order to help you further yourself and the goals of the business.
Name: Grace
Education: BS in Materials Science and Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Role: Resin Process Engineer
Location: Oak Creek, WI
Business: Industrial Coatings
PPG Start Date: August 2005
Current Position:
As a Resin Process Engineer, my primary responsibility is to support operation by following with daily resin production, investigating out of spec batches, and improving process efficiency by utilizing PIP tools.
Career Path:
In 2005, I began my career as a Materials Engineer at Natrium Chlor/Alkali and Derivatives plant in West Virginia. I worked on various projects but was also the plant specialist on materials. From material failures to recommendations, I was sought out to help with the corrosive attack on equipment. It was fascinating to see how different materials react to a chemical.
Three years later, I transferred to Oak Creek, WI for a Resin Process Engineering position. I am accountable for leading the technical support for the specialty reactor system, monitoring and improving existing procedures, and scaling up new resins.
Career Highlight:
Any completed project reminds me I added value to the success of the company.
Why I Like Working for PPG:
I enjoy working with all the different functional groups. Every colleague is unique and sees things differently than I. Because of their association, it has enhanced my professional growth.
Name: Mark
Education: Honours degree in Chemistry and Mathematics
Role: Plant Manager
Location: Shildon, UK
Business: Aerospace
PPG Start Date: June 2002
Current Position:
Plant manager at Shildon responsible for manufacturing, Quality assurance and quality control, warehouse and distribution for Coatings and Sealants supplied to military and commercial customers throughout the world. 150 personnel on site working a combination of days and 2 shifts. BPI Accelerator trained.
Career Path:
Technical, Technical service, Technical sales support and Operations
Career Highlight:
I have two. Taking the first Paint Company public in Singapore in 1994. Part of a team that Achieved the lowest Corporate Safety Audit Score for a coatings/resin facility in Europe (at Stowmarket) in 2008
Why I Like Working for PPG:
There are certain standards that are written that you know exactly what is required and you are challenged to meet these at lowest cost (safety, quality etc). You have extreme interest from your superiors in monitoring your progress towards achieving these goals, but also a large degree of debate and support from them. Generally you have the chance to implement and monitor your own ideas and demonstrate your ability to achieve the set goals. Improvement is both expected and encouraged and success is usually rewarded with further investment to continue this success.
Name: Lyndee
Education: BS in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Science from McNeese State University
Role: Shipping Team Leader
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Business: Chlor/Alkali and Derivatives
PPG Start Date: July 1999
Current Position:
Shipping Team Leader. Responsible for supervising the Shipping Department made up of salaried and hourly reports, to ensure that conforming products are safely loaded and shipped via barge, ship, trucks, rail cars, and containers, on time to customers without incident.
Career Path:
I have been given the opportunity to work in many different departments and functions within the PPG-Lake Charles facility and through those varied experiences, I have gained a bigger-picture view of the overall operation of this facility. I started as a cooperative (co-op) education student while obtaining my engineering degree. Upon graduation I have worked in the technical engineering group to see how projects are initiated and engineered, worked in a manufacturing unit in performance engineering, hourly supervision, and compliance, worked in the Environmental department, worked in an EH&S performance role, and most recently managing a team of 60+ in the Shipping department. Some of my job changes were appointed by management, and some were choices by me to move and learn something new. In moving to different roles I have gained confidence in getting in a job, assessing the situation, and making a difference in a short period of time
Why I Like Working for PPG:
PPG is such a diverse company with so many varied opportunities for a career. I have learned that I enjoy managing people and situations and PPG is a company that has allowed me those opportunities to develop those skills in many different settings. PPG has also given me confidence in taking an aggressive and active approach to planning my own career path and has even provided me with opportunity to mentor others on this topic.
Name: Queenelle
Education: BS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, MBA, MS in Supply Chain, Indiana University (May 2011 expected)
Role: Operation Engineer
Location: Oak Creek, WI
Business: Industrial Coatings
PPG Start Date: June 2003
Current Position:
I am in charge of two reactor systems with the responsibility of ensuring batch quality and using lean manufacturing tools to improve process capability. Additionally, I have taken on the role of the Packaging Blend cell production planner, where I plan and put together the weekly schedule for this area.
Career Path:
In the future, I would like to move from an engineering role into a supply chain role.
Career Highlight:
The highlight of my career was accepting my current position in 2008. At Oak Creek, I have had the opportunity to wear many different hats. I also have greater exposure to supply chain and how it fits into manufacturing and beyond.
Why I Like Working for PPG:
I like working for PPG because I have the opportunity to do different things with my career. I started off as a chemist and then transitioned into an engineering role. Additionally, because PPG is so diverse, I’ve had the opportunity to work with different business units and with different groups; from Sales and Marketing to R&D and Supply Chain.
Name: Avanalist (AJ)
Education: BS in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Business
Role: Performance Engineer/Ethylene Coordinator
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Business: Chlor/Alkali and Derivatives
PPG Start Date: August 2007
Current Position:
I work with a great group of operators and engineers in the Greater EDC Unit. My job is to not only maintain, but to improve the overall performance of the unit. The second hat I wear is coordinating the ethylene that comes into the Lake Charles plant.
Career Path:
I am currently working on my MBA with the goal of working in the sales and marketing side of the company.
Career Highlight: Being elected president of the PPG+1 Volunteer Group was a highlight for me. It allows me to spend a lot of time in the community and helping those who truly need it.
Why I Like Working for PPG:
If you have the initiative and the drive, you can write your own ticket at PPG. With locations across the globe there is no limit to what you can do, or where you do it.
Name: Erika
Education: BS in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University
Role: Manager of Job Specific Training
Location: Lake Charles, LA
Business: Chlor/Alkali and Derivatives
PPG Start Date: January 2006
Current Position:
Responsible for Job Specific Training throughout the Lake Charles facility. This includes coordinating and developing training for both hourly and salary personnel. I also serve in a supporting role for the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Internal Auditing process.
Career Path:
Worked in Derivatives Operations Units: Waste Treatment Unit for 2 years and Per Tri Operations Unit for 2 years as performance engineer before transferring to my current position.
Career Highlight:
In my current role, it would have to be instituting Basic Operator Training for all new hourly operations personnel.
Why I Like Working for PPG:
I have several reasons. I love coming to work each and every day because of the wonderful people I work with, the rewarding challenges of my job, and the numerous opportunities PPG has for my growth and development.
Name: Mike
Education: BS Chemical Engineering Degree from the University of Wyoming
Role: Operations Engineer I
Location: Natrium, WV
Business: Chlor-Alkali & Derivatives
PPG Start Date: 2008
Current Position:
I am an Engineer in the Caustic Department making Caustic Soda. I also oversee the Plant pH control system for water treatment and serve on several environmental committees while heading up the plant Young Professionals Organization.
Career Path:
Although starting my career in engineering, I am quite interested in exploring the environmental area as well as business and marketing side.
Career Highlight:
Helping the new Engineers at my plant successfully transition from college into their first roles with PPG.
Why I Like Working at PPG:
I have the ability to work with so many talented people throughout the company on a variety of topics. The opportunities within PPG are seemingly endless and the atmosphere in the company is designed to support my strengths as I continually develop my career.