Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Northeastern University.
Career highlights: My current job presents me with a unique opportunity to be part of a growing family business with an exciting future. The best part of working for a smaller organization is going to work every day knowing that your ideas and contribution make a real impact.
Why were you interested in plastics? While my first job in the plastics industry is my current job, you could say that my career started when I was much younger. Having a father who has spent his entire career in plastics exposed me to the industry early on, from conversations about the day-to-day business at the dinner table, to family visits to see the new extrusion line at the factory. Growing up around the business inspired me to learn more and eventually get involved.
Greatest achievement? Taking the leap of faith to switch from a corporate job to an entrepreneurial work environment. I had only worked in corporate environments and it was what I was comfortable with. Ultimately deciding to embrace the unknown and move to a family-owned manufacturing company with an entrepreneurial culture ended up being the best decision I have ever made professionally. Every day at work is different and I have the opportunity to get involved in all facets of the business.
What is your current challenge at work? Overcoming the perception that plastics are not a sustainable packaging choice and educating customers about the sustainability attributes associated with using certain resins over others.
What emerging technology or market most interests you? Providing consumers with a sustainably packaged product is becoming more important to brand owners and this sentiment will only continue to grow with the next generation of consumers. I am interested to see what innovations in plastics and plastics additives come from this strong push to go green with your packaging.
What advice would you give to a person considering a career in plastics? Learn about the materials and their characteristics and take it from there. The industry is huge and there are so many options for a career in plastics, but the one thing they all have in common are the materials!
If you were CEO of a company what would you do first? Get to know my employees and do whatever I could to foster their professional development. There is no substitute for a dedicated and hard working employee, and at the end of the day, they are the people who allow a company to be successful.
Who is your mentor? While I look up to both of my parents for different reasons, when it comes to work my mentor is my dad, David Kingeter, who also happens to be my boss. He has taught me so much not only about plastics, but also about hard work and determination. Having spent the majority of his career in plastics, my dad is truly a master in his field, and is the best resource when it comes to finding answers to my many questions. He is passionate about his work and his company, and is a great example of what you can achieve if you put your mind to something.
What do you do to relax? Spending time with my husband and dogs. If the weather is nice, I love to do basically anything outdoors. I also love to cook and bake.
