Zack Rocheleau's first job was sweeping floors at the family business, then he was as a packer/boxer for a line that the company ran prior to starting its own production facility.
"I was interested in plastics because my great-grandfather started our company in 1938, and I wanted to find a way to provide value to the family business. I always knew that I wanted to be able to work with my family every day and to achieve success together," said Rocheleau, who is now a supply chain manager at Rocheleau Tool and Die Co. Inc. in Fitchburg, Mass.
Rocheleau also worked at the company in roles that included secretary, human resources and accounting, purchasing and customer service. He works with his father, stepmother, sister, three aunts, one uncle and four cousins every day.
"My biggest challenge at work is separating family from work while at a family business. I oftentimes to respond to my dad, uncles and aunts the way that I would respond to them as my family member rather than how I should respond to them in a professional setting. … The challenge is knowing when to use the family business as a positive and when to focus on keeping it strictly professional," he said.
Rocheleau's greatest career achievement is being considered as a potential owner as the family business begins succession planning discussions.
"The fact that the current owners see the value that I bring cements the fact that I am exactly where I need to be," he said. "Being recognized for the work that I do and what I bring to the company and being trusted with continuing our family legacy is something that I hold above anything else."
He promotes the company and industry through Manufacturing Day tours for a local vocational high school, and he visits other high schools for job fairs.
"The best advice I have ever received is 'Marriage isn't always 50-50 [percent]; it's being able to give 100 when your partner has 0 and being able to rely on them to do the same.' Not only has this advice helped me in my marriage, but I use it every day at work," Rocheleau said. "You never know what somebody is going through, so it is very important to be able to give whatever you have to help them fill their 100 percent needed to get a job done. By having this 'team before me' mentality and being able to help others, we see the most production and efficiency."
Rocheleau graduated from Mitchell College with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and pre-law concentration, and he is currently enrolled in an MBA program at Fitchburg State University with a concentration in supply chain management. Rocheleau aspires to "grow the business for many future generations of our family."