From taking on new responsibilities to learning new skills, our colleagues have shown dedication and commitment to their careers. This month, we’re sharing some of their stories related to professional growth.
Meet Jake Hill, Product Development Supervisor in Tupelo, Mississippi!
Tell us about your career at L&P.
I joined L&P on September 16, 2024, as a testing/sample technician at our Tupelo Sleeper branch, testing new and existing mechanisms for continuous improvement. As I began, I created best practices for standardizing testing for rocker/recliner mechanisms and sleeper mechanisms.
A short time later, my responsibilities expanded into managing shipping and receiving for the engineering group. I created a manual inventory system to monitor parts that were received and worked with local customer service managers to ship samples to our customers. I also helped in the sample shop, alongside engineers and technicians, to build project samples.
In October of 2025, my leadership team encouraged me to apply for my current position. As a product development supervisor, my responsibilities include managing engineering personnel, such as drafters/designers, shop technicians, and engineering technicians. I also focus on enhancing the shop’s safety procedures, developing a sample shop scheduling process, implementing an inventory management system, enhancing the shop’s efficiency and organization, and establishing quality inspection process for shop samples.
I really enjoy my new role. I get to meet and build relationships with, not only people in L&P, but also customers and suppliers. Meeting new people and building relationships has always been a passion of mine. I also enjoy the challenge this new role brings. I’ve been tasked with mainstreaming engineering organization and reporting, and I can accomplish this with help from my network. My supportive network contributed to my favorite saying: “I may not know the answer, but I know someone who does!”
What or who has helped you with your career growth?
My military experience helped me overcome many of my past personal and work-related issues. Being in the military was all around difficult, and there were days when I wanted to give up – but the feeling of accomplishment kept me going. The harder the task, the more satisfaction I feel after tackling it.
Has a piece of career advice or a mantra of your own stuck with you?
I learned a powerful lesson from my squad leader – Staff Sergeant Hillhouse – at my first duty station. All the lower enlisted (E4 rank and below) were tasked with cleaning the bathrooms. As we all cleaned and complained, Sergeant Hillhouse walked in, took off his coat, and started cleaning with us. I asked him why he would do that because I had never seen someone with his rank do something like this. He said, “How can I ask someone to do something I am not willing to do myself?” Those words stuck with me and became my mantra for leading by example.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My wife calls me a social butterfly. I fit in well with any group of people because I like different things. I love any kind of sport. I also like to watch anime, read books, and play video games with my son. When I’m not at work, I spend most of my time with my wife and son.