To kick off 2023, we’re introducing you to several of our newest employees and sharing their thoughts on the year ahead.
Meet Renata Mattos! Renata is a Human Resources (HR) Generalist for our branch in London, Ontario, Canada.
What brought you to L&P?
During the recruitment process and when I met my manager, I felt that this is my place. The way my manager conducted the interview, the questions she asked, and how she introduced me to the company and challenges made me feel like we share the same values.
I enjoy the diversity—not only about subjects and responsibilities but also the diversity of people. The opportunity to be in touch with people from different countries and cultures has been an amazing experience, and I’ve learned a lot.
What’s something unique about you?
When I arrived in Canada five years ago, I started to reinvent and challenge myself. Now, I am learning how to ride a bicycle.
Since childhood, I have never been able to properly ride one. I had some accidents with my cousins and friends, and I was the worst driver! I believe there’s still time to learn.
What’s your biggest goal for 2023?
This year, I want to be a strong business partner by helping my branch develop HR initiatives.
My branch manager is an incredible person. We are learning a lot together, and I am sure we will go above and beyond together!
At L&P, our mission is to build businesses and a culture that are sustainable for generations to come, and Emily Yost, our Sustainability Intern, is helping us do just that.
Emily is currently enrolled in the Master of Energy and Environmental Management program and working towards a dual certificate in Environmental Planning and Geographic Information Systems at the University of Connecticut.
How did you become interested in sustainability?
My original major was environmental studies, but after taking a few sustainability courses, I decided to dual major in sustainability studies. I liked that I was learning to work with businesses to make them more sustainable for the future and helping them discover that working towards this was a great opportunity.
What is your favorite part about being a Sustainability Intern?
The feeling of growth when applying concepts and techniques I’ve learned feels like confirmation that I’m on the right track, and the idea that I can make a positive impact is satisfying. The projects are always exciting.
I think it is valuable to learn how a large company like Leggett & Platt works to develop robust sustainability plans. I think working with energy data is especially valuable for my master’s degree.
How will you apply your internship experience to your future career?
I’m going to take away how to build sustainability reports, compile and analyze data, and effectively collaborate with multiple departments, vendors, and federal organizations to carry out sustainability projects.
What’s a fun fact about you?
In my free time, I love to do yoga, learn to cook, and read.
One of the most exciting aspects of working for a global company is learning about our coworkers worldwide and the unique talents they bring to L&P. Dougal Campbell is the Global Director of HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems). Dougal lives with his family in Birmingham, England. We invited Dougal to share about his work, hobbies, and family life.
The Campbell Family
What is your career background, and how did you land at L&P?
My career has always been working between business needs and Information Technology (IT) services. Until 2021, I spent my entire career in logistics companies, a fascinating area with a lot of exposure to many different business sectors.
I have always tried to take the best from the people I have worked with, learning from anyone I can and building my view on what makes good management and leadership. I strive to live up to that standard daily as I build and lead the HRIS team forward.
Leggett & Platt has been a great opportunity to start my role from scratch, having always worked in existing teams/systems previously. Taking this role felt like an opportunity that was meant to be, and I have so much pride in being here now.
What do you do as a Global HRIS Director?
I once read that if you can’t describe your job in three words, you need to think long and hard about what you do. My short answer is, ‘I count people.’ My responsibilities at Leggett & Platt are to the business as a whole, more specifically to Human Resources (HR). I am responsible for building and maintaining global HR systems, which we are in the process of delivering.
I lead the team and the strategy for the global HR Information Systems, which, in time, will touch every employee at Leggett & Platt. I have a clear vision of what can be achieved – a vision I believe L&P can exceed, given its strength and dynamics.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The best part of the job is delivering something that makes people’s lives easier. Whether that’s directly in terms of day-to-day HR processing, leveraging our talent, or providing more transparency to our employees about their future and development at Leggett & Platt. We, as a team, are here to improve the business’s operations. There is no greater joy than to deliver against our shared HR vision.
What advice would you give someone who wants to begin a career like yours?
For me, focusing on a couple of core values has been key:
Find where you can add value – what is it about you that is valuable to the company?
Be flexible and ready to move between subjects – I have worked in many different areas, but always with the same focus of helping people achieve through technology.
Keep ambitious about what you can add, and don’t be afraid to take on a challenge.
Have the courage to try; failure should be seen, owned, and learned from.
Always find ways to improve your work area, even to the point that you are not needed.
Can you tell us about your family life and hobbies?
My family life is much like many people’s, focused on children and their development and finding time for life and pursuits outside work. I live with my partner, and our daughter has moved out of the family home and will get married next year. My son is still in school and remains a huge focus.
I enjoy the practical elements of carpentry, metalwork, and building. I like to cook and bake, although it sometimes turns out differently than I hope!
To kick off 2023, we want to introduce you to several of our newest employees and share their goals for this year.
First up, meet Melissa Shaddix! Melissa is a Technical Writer for our Corporate Information Technology (IT) Department.
What brought you to L&P?
I’m excited to be a part of the long history of L&P’s leadership in many industries and the new initiatives underway in the IT Department.
My new colleagues have been so welcoming and helpful! I joined L&P during a very busy time, yet so many people have taken time to get to know me and help me feel welcome. I think the collaboration and culture I’ve seen bode very well for my future here.
What’s something unique about you?
I went to a university with a prominent horticulture research department, and I had a part-time job grading the pecans harvested from research orchards throughout my state. The results of my grading were used in several multi-year research projects that impacted U.S. pecan growers. I never got to eat a single test pecan.
What’s your biggest goal for 2023?
I’ve seen a trend where some social media influencers set “yearly themes” as a baseline ideal to guide their intentions and decisions. I’d like to try it this year with the theme of “balance.” To me, practicing balance—both physically and mentally—can improve coordination during challenging tasks and help prevent falls and failure. In 2023, I’ll try to approach all of my goals with a focus on balance to ensure that I won’t just excel at one while neglecting the rest.
This time of year means many things to each of us, and to celebrate the cultures and traditions that make up L&P, we invited our employees from around the world to share season’s greetings—what we are looking forward to this season, hopes for colleagues, and a variety of traditions.
This time of year means many things to each of us, and to celebrate the cultures and traditions that make up L&P, we invited our employees from around the world to share season’s greetings—what we are looking forward to this season, hopes for colleagues, and a variety of traditions.
This time of year means many things to each of us, and to celebrate the cultures and traditions that make up L&P, we invited our employees from around the world to share season’s greetings—what we are looking forward to this season, hopes for colleagues, and a variety of traditions.
November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States, which honors all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Our military veterans have served everywhere—on land, air, sea, and even space. Their dedication and service ensure we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. For Veterans Day, we want to spotlight some of our amazing employees who are U.S. veterans.
Josh Horton
Meet Josh Horton
Josh has been with L&P for nine years and is currently our Company Credit Card and Expense Administrator.
Serving in the U.S. Army
Josh served in the 1011th Quartermaster Company for eight years. While in the Army, he was involved in many missions, including Operation Nuevos Horizontes in Flores, Guatemala, and supporting military operations against hostile forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom at the LSA Anaconda (support base) in Balad, Iraq:
“Our core mission was to support and serve the combat units that we were stationed with. I enjoyed helping others—from the Marines who built schools in impoverished countries to providing logistics to our forces stateside.
Serving others while far away from your loved ones is tough, but I am proud of the military and their ability to step up and make that sacrifice.”
Josh in Balad, Iraq
U.S. Army and L&P Values
Values help shape who we are and how we treat one another, and Josh thinks that many Army values can be found at L&P:
“I feel that many of the core values of the Army directly transfer over to our Leggett & Platt values—values such as respect, integrity, and loyalty, to name a few. I like to think that those who served honorably for the military wouldfind this to be an easy transition.”
Thank You, Veterans!
We are very grateful to Josh and all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Your service and dedication are inspiring!
November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States, which honors all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Our military veterans have served everywhere—on land, air, sea, and even space. Their dedication and service ensure we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. For Veterans Day, we want to spotlight some of our amazing employees who are U.S. veterans.
Robert McKinzie
Meet Robert McKinzie
Robert began working as a contractor for Leggett in 1995, providing training to supervisors and managers at U.S. Spring locations. In May of 1996, he accepted a full-time position at L&P. He is currently the Vice President of EHS, Quality, and Continuous Improvement for Domestic Bedding.
Serving in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves
Robert served in the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves for 23 years, spending six years in active duty and 17 years in the Guard and Reserve. His active duty service took place in Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Eustis, Virginia; and in Operation Iraqi Freedom from September of 2003 to November of 2004. Robert recalls his favorite time while serving:
“By far, the most gratifying time serving was running a base camp on the border of Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. To me, serving God and our country are two of the most important things we can do.”
Robert in a dining facility at Camp Buehring in Kuwait during Easter of 2004
Leadership Training
For most of Robert’s military career, he held a leadership position. He credits the military with helping him develop the skills to be a leader at Leggett:
“The military provided me with invaluable training to work with and lead others—from platoon leader in basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training) to Officer Candidate School, Company Commander, Brigade Primary Staff Officer, and Battalion Executive Officer—during both peace time and deployment.”
Thank You, Veterans!
We are very grateful to Robert and all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Your service and dedication are inspiring!
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re inviting L&P employees to share about themselves and their Hispanic heritage.
Meet Maria Urquieta. Maria is a custodian at Carthage Spring in Carthage, Missouri. She has worked for Leggett & Platt for two years.
“I enjoy cleaning, and the fact that I get paid for it is a plus. A clean environment is important, especially in our work, because it ensures everyone can do their job safely.
I am proud to get along with my co-workers and contribute to a positive work environment. I am also proud of my Hispanic roots. The annual celebration assures me that we are recognized for our contributions and appreciated.”
To learn more about the rich history, culture, and present-day stories of those who celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, check out the National Park Service for a comprehensive list of resources.
