Executive Q&A: Magnets manufacturing plant president worked her way up

Among other things, she stressed that opportunities are limitless for employees, half of whom are contracted through Express Employment Professionals. Norvell wasn't just putting a rosy spin on things. Twenty-four years ago, she was hired as temporary shipping clerk and later worked in grinding on the production line.

“I wanted everybody to understand that I was there; I did what they're doing,” she said. “And there will be opportunities to advance, which I took sometimes kicking and screaming.”

With her appointment, Norvell becomes the first woman to head a plant of the Japan-based global manufacturer. The Shawnee plant every month manufactures some 10.5 million ferrite magnets and does some $2 million in sales. Its 12 major customers include motor assemblers DENSO, ASMO and Mitsuba corporations.

Norvell, 56, sat down with The Oklahoman on Tuesday to talk about her professional and personal life. This is an edited transcript:

Q: Can you tell us about your roots?

A: My father was a Shawnee native and my mom was raised in Sparks. Though I was born in Tulsa, I grew up mostly in Florida near the Kennedy Space Center and, from age 12 on, in Cypress, Calif. My father worked as technical writer for the Air Force, including on missile projects. My mother was a homemaker. There were eight of us kids, six girls and two boys. I'm the second oldest, with a sister 10½ months older; my youngest sibling is nine years younger. I was a good student, and participated in gymnastics in middle school and on the drill team in high school. Upon my high school graduation, in 1974, my father, who was having heart problems, retired from the military (as a master sergeant) and moved with the rest of my family back to Shawnee, for a calmer lifestyle.

Q: Why did you stay behind in California?

A: I was a California girl. I liked the beach. I liked the lifestyle. I even liked the crowds. My dad told me I could stay behind if I had a job, and could support myself. And I'd been working, since halfway through my senior year, as a waitress at Knott's Berry Farm amusement park. I enjoyed getting to meet people, and went on to waitress at various establishments in northern and Southern California, and in Arizona.

Q: What prompted you to join your family in Oklahoma?