Category Archives: Employee Spotlight

Employee Spotlight: Carey Zuidema-Gray

During the month of March, we’re inviting women at L&P to share about work and what makes them proud to be women in the workforce.

We’d like you to meet Carey Zuidema-Gray! Carey has been with L&P for 16 years and serves as Quality System Engineering on our team in Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada.

Tell us about work.

I report to the Quality Manager in Lakeshore and provide support to the L&P Automotive branches in North America. I’m always continuing to learn and grow, even after 16 years.

I really enjoy working with our L&P family to maintain and improve our management systems and celebrate our success. I enjoy these rewarding opportunities and experiences. 

What makes you proud to be a woman in the workforce?

I am proud to be part of a dedicated and professional team where I am valued and appreciated for the individual that I am!

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

This day gives me the opportunity to focus on, acknowledge, and appreciate women and their achievements. What would we do without our esteemed colleagues, beloved mothers, daughters, and wives, dear sisters?

And, I want to note that when it comes to sports, women and girls have got it all. I think women’s sports are thriving, and there are many reasons for this. Most notably, it’s because of the success of women’s teams and athletes in tournaments globally!

Mar 29 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Damaris Velazquez

During the month of March, we’re inviting women at L&P to share about work and what makes them proud to be women in the workforce.

We’d like you to meet Damaris Velazquez! Damaris has been with L&P for almost seven years and is a Senior Programmer Analyst based in San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.

Tell us about work.

I’m a Senior Programmer Analyst for the iScala team. In this role, I develop new LPscala projects, and I support current programs to help users do their daily work.

On a typical day, I work on projects that are assigned to me, and if a user reports an issue or has questions about LPscala or iScala, I research and find the solution to their request.

I really enjoy the opportunities to talk with people around the world, learn new things every day, and challenge myself to find better solutions for users.

What makes you proud to be a woman in the workforce?

It makes me proud to find solutions that make user activities faster or easier within different branches.

Also, I am proud of being able to match my work, family, and personal roles to achieve my professional and personal goals, and I am proud to be an inspiration to my daughters.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

Women’s Day shows us how strong and capable we are. It teaches us that gender is not decisive for standing out in the world and that the most important thing is to have determination, drive, and desire.

This day is a constant reminder of the motivation and drive that all women have to get ahead, grow, create, motivate, and evolve.

Mar 27 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Laiza Cardoso

During the month of March, we’re inviting women at L&P to share about work and what makes them proud to be women in the workforce.

We’d like to introduce you to Laiza Cardoso! Laiza recently joined L&P as a Plant Accountant for our branch in London, Ontario, Canada.

Tell us about work.

My day is full of numbers, spreadsheets, forecasts, and balancing accounts. I work with other departments and people from different branches to ensure our numbers are correct.

What I like most about work is that while I do my job and complete my activities, I can count on a team who is available to help one another.

What makes you proud to be a woman in the workforce?

I feel honored to be part of a great company. I believe that I have this opportunity, not only because I sought to study, work, and learn, but also as a result of the fight for equality.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

International Women’s Day represents the strength, beauty, and sensitivity of women who, from the beginning, have fought for their families and for their positions in society.

Mar 21 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Rajeswari Subramani

During the month of March, we’re inviting women at L&P to share about work and what makes them proud to be women in the workforce.

We’d like you to meet Rajeswari Subramani! Rajeswari joined L&P in 2008 and is currently a Human Resources Business Partner for our branch in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Tell us about work.

For me, a typical workday involves recruitment, managing staffing, attending management meetings, completing reports, and addressing compliance and employee concerns.

Fourteen years at L&P makes me feel at home, and engaging with employees for their professional and personal betterment is something I enjoy the most.

What makes you proud to be a woman in the workforce?

I am proud to work as the only female manager among nine male managers. I’m also proud of helping to maintain a safe workplace environment.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

Women should be embraced—day in and day out. However, in this fast-moving life, we don’t pay attention to our achievements or to other women’s achievements. It’s good to have a day to appreciate and celebrate women alongside other strong women.

Mar 15 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Beth Rocheleau

During the month of March, we’re inviting women at L&P to share about work and what makes them proud to be women in the workforce.

We’d like to introduce you to Beth Rocheleau! Beth has been with our team in Lakeshore, Ontario, Canada, for 24 years and has been a Manufacturing Engineer Manager for eight years.

Tell us about work.

I spend a lot of time in meetings where I work with cross-functional teams on future projects for my branch. I work with manufacturing engineers on daily production issues and getting equipment ready for new projects. I also work with equipment suppliers on obtaining new equipment for my branch.

What I enjoy most about my job is the team in the Manufacturing Engineering Department. They are a great group of people, and half of our department has worked at L&P for more than 10 years! Everyone respects one another, celebrates each other’s accomplishments, and volunteers to help one another when needed.

What makes you proud to be a woman in the workforce?

I have worked in the Manufacturing Engineering Department for more than 20 years and am proud of what we’ve accomplished. When we launched the first automation line 20 years ago, the equipment in the plant was very manual. Our team has introduced many new processes, technology, and types of equipment. Now, our branch has 15 automation lines, approximately 35 robots, and six laser welders.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

I am grateful to have had opportunities to enter any career. Previous generations did not have those options. When I was in high school, wondering what to take in university, I never considered engineering. When my guidance counselor suggested it, I had no idea what engineers did. The next generations of women are being exposed to engineering in grade school, which is wonderful.

Mar 10 2023
By Life@Leggett

“A Day to Inspire and Empower Women”

In honor of International Women’s Day, Sonia Smith, President of L&P Automotive, shares what this day means to her:

I wanted to share with you the significance of International Women’s Day for me, personally. As a woman, I have encountered numerous challenges and obstacles that women face in various aspects of life, including, but not limited to, gender discrimination in the workplace, unequal access to education and healthcare, and limited opportunities for advancement.

With that said, I have been so fortunate that here, in the Leggett family, I was given so many opportunities to advance my career, learn new skills and have exposure to different aspects of the business. Not only does it fill me with pride to be able to do what I enjoy so much, it drives the sense of responsibility that I feel to ensure that others get such opportunities so that they may thrive as I do.

International Women’s Day is an annual global event that is observed on March 8th to commemorate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. It is also a day to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by women.

For me, this day holds a special meaning as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of women from diverse backgrounds, to celebrate their achievements and contributions, and to advocate for their rights and equal opportunities. It is a day to recognize the tireless efforts of women who have made significant strides towards gender equality and to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done.

International Women’s Day is not just a symbolic event, but a powerful platform for women to raise their voices and advocate for their rights. It is a day to inspire and empower women to overcome challenges, break stereotypes, and pursue their dreams.

International Women’s Day is an important occasion for me and for women around the world to celebrate, reflect, and take action towards achieving gender equality. I hope that we can all join hands to create a more inclusive and equitable world where women can thrive and reach their full potential.

Mar 08 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Dwayne Phills

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about work, what they’re proud of, and what this month means to them.

We’d like to introduce you to Dwayne Phills! Dwayne is a Senior Manager of Global Network for our Corporate Information Technology (IT) Department.

Tell us about work.

I manage a dynamic team of voice and network engineers. The two major projects we are working on are Global Network Transformation (GNT) and Global Voice Transformation (GVT). GNT is focused on re-engineering the network across all business units, and GVT is focused on bringing a unified voice platform across our business units. 

A typical workday can include several interactions with engineers and managers for many projects and initiatives across the globe. There may be long hours due to our global presence and the need to operate in several time zones. One day, we could be designing an entire branch network or troubleshooting suspicious activity. The next day, we could be routing voice or data traffic across the globe.

We are the backbone of IT—we connect the dots and ensure information arrives safely as it traverses the world. The network is often referred to as a living and breathing organism that constantly changes, which can make for an interesting day. 

I enjoy the responsibility of making the impossible happen, and this wouldn’t be possible if it were not for a fantastic group of voice and network engineers. They’re my work family, and I wouldn’t be able to get through the day without them. They are what I enjoy the most about my job.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my children (son, daughter, nieces, and nephews). I pour a lot into them and am very proud of who they have become.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time to recognize and honor the contributions, achievements, and struggles of Black people throughout history. It’s a time to acknowledge the impact that Black individuals have had on society, culture, politics, and various fields, even in the face of systemic racism and discrimination. It’s an opportunity to educate ourselves on the history of the Black community, celebrate the accomplishments of Black individuals, and raise awareness of the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.

For me, Black History Month serves as a reminder of the work that is needed to create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone. I personally take this time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and inspire change for the future.

Feb 27 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Sandrica Hardy

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about work, what they’re proud of, and what this month means to them.

We’d like to introduce you to Sandrica Hardy! Sandrica is a Customer Service Representative for our Hanes location in Houston, Texas.

Tell us about work.

I like to start each day by reviewing my schedule to ensure I prioritize any calls or orders and complete any prep work for them. Then, I usually answer emails while I’m still fresh.

For me, work is like a home away from home. My colleagues and I get along like family, and we work together every day to exceed our customers’ expectations, which is very important to me.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of my family and friends. Even though they’re far away from me, they never stop showing me the love and support I need to get through the day.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month means the world to me. As an African American woman, it’s been instilled in me to always be proud of who you are and to never let anyone take that away from you.

Feb 24 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Mark Phillips

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about work, what they’re proud of, and what this month means to them.

We’d like you to meet Mark Phillips! Mark is a Quality Technician Supervisor for our Flex-O-Lators location in Carthage, Missouri.

Tell us about work.

My typical day is very busy because I supervise approximately 50 people and work to ensure we are meeting our shipping demands.

I enjoy my job because I get to make a difference at L&P and help make improvements to our processes.

What are you most proud of?

What makes me proud is having a heart to serve others. I believe that getting outside of the self and helping another person without wanting to receive something in return is truly a gift.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month gives me a greater appreciation for all those who have helped bring equality into the world. I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to help make a difference at a company like Leggett & Platt.

Feb 22 2023
By Life@Leggett

Employee Spotlight: Cardinal Ferguson

During Black History Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about work, what they’re proud of, and what this month means to them.

We’d like you to meet to Cardinal Ferguson! Cardinal is an Operations Manager for our Hanes location in Houston, Texas.

Tell us about work.

A typical day starts with a walk around the facility, which gives me an idea of what’s going on around the branch and a chance to greet team members and customers. After that, I head to my desk to address the needs and concerns of internal and external customers.

In operations, there’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes. It is my job to ensure that we function in rhythm to deliver the best results.

No two days are ever the same at our Houston branch. There is always a customer that needs exceptional service, and I love to rise to the challenge. I am enthusiastic and an outside-the-box thinker, so this position is a thrill for me.

What are you most proud of?

There have been several challenges growing up as a Black man in the United States. I have been overlooked, underappreciated, and judged because of the color of my skin. However, thanks to the upbringing of my parents, I have been able to push past those adversities to enjoy life. Despite the oppression, I am proud of my heritage, and I am proud of my ancestors and policy changers who made it possible for me to be the man that I am today.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month is a time of reflection and recognition, focusing not just on the struggle and pain but also the history, culture, and accomplishments that lead the way for our modern lives. It’s about realizing that Black history is world history, and it is a part of us all. I am Black history, 365 days a year.

Feb 21 2023
By Life@Leggett
← Older posts
Newer posts →