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

Q: Can you tell us about your early career in Oklahoma — before TDK?

A: After I moved here, I immediately went to work, first at a pass-through job, taking orders at a warehouse and then my dad got me an introduction to the human resources department at Worthington Pump, where I worked seven years, moving up from inventory clerk to production planning. When the Shawnee plant closed, and the work was moved to West Virginia, I was offered a job there. But I couldn't see leaving my family.

Q: Have you had to work some funky hours?

A: Yes, when I was a first-line supervisor here in production, I worked seven at night until seven in the morning. My daughters were 6 and 11. I'd remarried, so my husband was there at night. When I got home in the morning, I'd get my girls ready for school, nap until they got home at 3:30 p.m., and then get up and be mom until it was time for me to go to work. When my girls went to college, I couldn‘t afford to help. But I'm happy to be able to help them pay off their student loans now. I have a CPA and a PA — a certified public accountant and physician assistant; theirs is the first generation in my family to graduate college.

Q: Did you ever dream you'd be president of TDK?

A: No. As production manager for five years, I was the No. 2 “man” here, but I never aspired to be president and never thought I would be, with TDK being a Japanese company and my being a woman with no college education. But when the opportunity came around, my name was thrown in the hat and my predecessor — Ron Stravlo, who retired after 15 years here — recommended me. I feel honored that the job was offered to me.

Q: Is California still your favorite place? Do you travel there frequently?

A: No, since I moved here, I've only been back twice — for high school reunions. Daytona Beach, Fla., is a favorite travel spot for my husband and me. I've traveled to TDK's sister ferrites plant in Shizuoka, Japan, several times for work, and plan to go again in September. I've loved seeing Japan's beautiful shrines and temples, come to like sushi, mainly tuna, and learned to drink sake, though I cut mine with water.