Life is about taking risks, and a startup can be just that. When Eric Miller, Electronics Engineering Manager at L&P, was hired to launch an Electronics Lab for our Adjustable Bed Group in Kansas City, MO, he knew he would be in for a challenge. Eric had been working on his master’s degree in Engineering Management when he was contacted by Leggett. “As part of my coursework,” he said, “I had done a lot of in-depth studies on startup companies and entrepreneurs, and I found the idea of starting something from the ground up very appealing.”
Eric took the risk and joined L&P in April 2016, ready to embrace a “different kind of challenge.” Eric has always been interested in management, but at the same time, he considers himself an engineer at heart. “With this opportunity,” he said, “I saw a chance to jump into a management role while still be a part of the design process. I just couldn’t pass it up.”
Eric (left) with Patrick Millar, Senior Software Engineer for the Electronics Lab.
Selfless, lively, and zealous perfectly describe the personality of the Exhibit Solutions Manager Sharon Baird. She speaks with the same energy and joy while describing her children and grandchildren as she does while detailing her day-to-day at L&P.
Sharon’s colorful office walls showcase her keen ability to organize!
As Exhibit Solutions Manager, she serves as a project management resource to others at L&P who use her help. She designs and procures trade show items such as backdrops, tables and chairs, and table coverings. She also assists with trade show strategy, like developing advertising, press releases, sponsorships, and an overall budget. When executing trade shows, Sharon travels a lot for the job – sometimes up to 3 weeks at a time. Continue reading
It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! During the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing you to several of our most recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.
Meet Cooper Smith, an Internal Auditor at L&P. He started with us in December!
What brought you to Leggett?
I was an Internal Audit Intern at L&P during the summer of 2016. I got to travel to our branches in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Canada, and Utah. Since I enjoyed my internship very much, I applied for a full-time position and started as Internal Auditor after I graduated in December. The atmosphere here is very cool – friendly and laid-back.
What’s something surprising about you?
I volunteer with my church every Wednesday night by leading a small group of teenage guys. I participated in a small group as a high school student, and it was very foundational for me during those years. So, leading a small group and giving back has been very near and dear to my heart.
What’s your biggest goal for 2017?
Coming into a new job, I simply want to learn all that I can. Being young and fresh out of college, I have an incredible opportunity to learn and soak up all I can from my colleagues. Additionally, I would love to go to Europe at some point; I’m not sure if I’ll get there this year, but someday!
It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! During the past few weeks, we’ve been introducing you to several of our most recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.
Meet Stephanie Stidham. She’s a Staff Tax Accountant, and she started her role at L&P in September.
What brought you to Leggett?
Leggett & Platt has a very good reputation as a place you can land long-term. I have a couple of friends who work at L&P, and they raved about the friendly atmosphere. I had been in Fort Bragg, North Carolina with my husband for 3 years, and when we decided to move back to this area, I applied at Leggett. Everyone is very down-to-earth and makes me feel welcome.
What’s something surprising about you?
As a mother of two, I care about products that are safe and inexpensive. So, I sell a line of natural cleaning products designed to be toxin-free and affordable. My staple is a microfiber cloth that helps with cleaning – I only use water with it and don’t need to have a lot of chemicals in my house!
What’s your biggest goal for 2017?
In the Tax Department, everyone keeps telling me it’ll take about a year to get the hang of things. So, I want to keep working to understand my role and how it changes through an entire tax and accounting cycle.
It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Over the next few weeks, we’re introducing you to several of our most recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.
Meet Katherine Salgado, our Employee Relations Assistant in Human Resources. She started with L&P in October.
What brought you to L&P?
I guess you could say my family is a “Leggett family.” My mom and dad used to work at Branch One (one of Leggett’s branches that manufactures coil mattress units). I pursued an international business degree in college, and I’ve always loved that Leggett has an international focus while still having a central location in my hometown.
What is something surprising about you?
I used to be a nanny, and it allowed me to travel on an amazing trip to Turks and Caicos. I still keep in touch with the family I worked for and loved the opportunity while it lasted.
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
I want to get back into running. I’ve completed one marathon, which was a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve also completed 8 half marathons, but then I stopped running. So, I’d love to get back into running shorter distances. Maybe if I sign up for a 5K, I’ll be motivated to get back into it!
It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Over the next few weeks, we’re introducing you to several of our most recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.
Meet Katrina Richards. She’s Leggett’s Assistant General Counsel & Litigation Attorney, and she started with us in September.
What brought you to L&P?
In law school, I studied corporate law and business law. After several years of doing tort law, I wanted to finally practice what I had learned. I’m originally from New Mexico, but there is something about the green landscapes and the people in Southwest Missouri that I absolutely love. Leggett has always been considered a great place to work, so when a litigation position opened, I knew I had to apply for it. I’m so glad I did.
What is something surprising about you?
I have been performing with the Siblings Improv group at JB’s in Joplin, Missouri and a few private functions. In the past, I have also been in two musicals: South Pacific and Godspell.
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
We have a group of employees at Corporate who play soccer over the lunch hour. I plan on playing soccer with them as soon as it warms up to help me train for a 6-mile race. I would also like to make it to a beach (any beach!) this year with my family.
It’s a new year, folks, and we’ve got some new faces at L&P! Over the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to several of our most recent hires and their thoughts on the year ahead.
Up first, meet Seth Hackney. He’s a Purchasing Operations Analyst in Corporate Purchasing, and he started his role with L&P in October.
What brought you to L&P?
I grew up around Carthage, Missouri, so I have always been familiar with Leggett & Platt. While attending Missouri Southern State University, I noticed Leggett’s active involvement in the community. When the purchasing opportunity came onto my radar, I knew I had to jump on it.
What is something surprising about you?
During my senior year at MSSU, I was an All-American in the shot put! I was one of 12 shot putters in NCAA Division II to throw the qualifying mark to make it to the national championship. Of those 12, I finished in the top 8 during the competition.
What is your biggest goal for 2017?
My role is transitioning into a Buyer position, and simultaneously, we are transitioning to new software. So, my work goal is to get comfortable with that software, since it will be a huge part of what I do as a Buyer. On a personal note, I would love to take at least one vacation with my wife in 2017.
Happy New Year from Leggett & Platt! As we roll into 2017, we thought we’d recap 2016 with a few of our favorite posts.
We learned that employees are at the heart of our company.
We learned that the legacy of a extraordinary leader still lives on.
We learned that we’re extremely passionate about jobseekers having a positive application experience.
We learned that this article became the most shared piece of content on Life@Leggett!
We learned through Liliana’s story what it means to be dedicated to achieving one’s dreams.
We learned that a Learning & Development photo shoot = Darth Vader helmets?
