Skaneateles, N.Y.-based custom injection molder and contract manufacturer Tessy Plastics Corp. is account manager Kayleigh Camerota's first job in the plastics industry. She didn't picture herself leaning toward plastics, but the opportunity presented itself and now she has fallen "in love with the industry."
"My greatest achievement thus far was having the opportunity to meet and spend time with many amazing individuals who work at Tessy," she said. "I have learned so much and have formed many great relationships throughout our facilities and will always be thankful for that."
Camerota develops and maintains relationships with current and potential customers, operates as a point of contact for assigned customers and supports internal departments to ensure customers are satisfied and understood.
"Coming into my first plastics job, I had no idea what injection molding even was. After one short year, I was able to learn everything that goes into injection molding to the point of being able to operate a machine on my own and, on top of that, receiving my first [purchase order] during my transition to sales all in my first year of working at Tessy," said the St. John Fisher College graduate.
One of Camerota's challenges has been adjusting to the ramp-up of workload and long hours. Tessy serviced front-line workers and the general public throughout the pandemic, which taught her "so much about myself and what Tessy is capable of."
Camerota said she looks up to her father: "He is someone who has always pushed me to be the best version of myself and that I am capable of anything I put my mind to."
"After training on the production floor and various departments throughout Tessy for a year, transitioning into my account management position led me to managing one of Tessy's largest customers," she said. "Managing a company this size is a challenge with all the responsibility that comes along with it. However, I am grateful and excited to see what the future has in store."
Q: If you were CEO of a company, what would you do first?
Camerota: I would start off by getting to know each of my employees. Any employee new to the industry and company I would have them go through a development program spending time in each department to truly get a feel for the company and how we operate.
Q: What emerging technology or market most interests you?
Camerota: Electronics has been an interest of mine. Tessy is always looking to expand our capabilities outside of solely plastics, and with the ever-changing industry of electronics, Tessy has the potential to be a great fit.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
Camerota: Don't judge a book by its cover. It's something I've always been conscious of because you don't know others' backgrounds, what they are experiencing/experienced, or where they have come from.