Working Her Way Through the Ranks

Stacy White joined Thompson Creek Window Company at just 22-years old as an administrative assistant; joining the company with no experience in the window and door industry. But over the past 25 years, she has worked her way up to now be President of Manufacturing.

"If I take a snapshot in my head of what the factory floor looked like in 2000, and then I walk out there today, I see the major growth. We've outgrown and moved facilities twice, the innovation, new equipment, the people, the process," says White. "To go out there and see that and know that I had a hand and been involved in every little aspect of that along the way, it gives me a lot of pride."

White says over the years she's dabbled in a little bit of everything at the company while working her way up. At the time she came on board in 2000, there were many duties that needed to be filled by a small number of people. White says this helped her really understand the different facets of the business. 

Women in Construction

At the time White joined the company, she recalls that there may have been just one women working on the factory floor. Today, 60% of Thompson Creek's workforce on its factory floor is comprised of women. White says this wasn't due to any certain hiring practice. Thompson Creek employees tend to refer friends and family when positions become available, and the company hires those who are most qualified and have great referrals, which has happened to be women over the years. 

"Whenever I do a factory tour, whether it be a sales rep, vendor or customer, they'll comment, 'You have a lot of women out here working in the factory,'" says White. "I'm proud of that and I like to think my leadership plays a role in having a female workforce."

White says that when she speaks to her employees about opportunity and career path growth, she's not just saying that, she's living proof of what is possible. 

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, while women make up about 47% of the total workforce, they only make up about 30% of the 15.8 million people employed in manufacturing industries, and only 1 in 4 manufacturing leaders are women. 

“Along the way I’ve faced very stereotypical challenges that women face in a male-dominated industry,” says White. “I can recall times when maybe someone didn’t want to call on me in a meeting because I was a young female, or I would be overlooked or talked around at the meeting table.”

White says that she’s always had thick skin and been confident in her capability, which has served her well throughout her career. 

The importance of mentorship

Mentorship and being an ally for women in the construction industry is one way to uplift and retain women in the workforce. Thompson Creek Window Company CEO and second-generation company leader Rick Wuest acted as a mentor for White from early on. White’s growth and success throughout her career is a testament to the difference that mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people can make.

“[Wuest] taught me everything he knew from a very early stage. He’s always believed in me and respected me and after a while he trusted me; which is when he gave me complete reign for purchasing control for the company,” says White.

White adds that Wuest was always quick to defend her when needed; if someone outside of their company doubted her leadership. “He didn’t hesitate to say, ‘She’s the one making the decisions, if you want our business you have to convince her, not me.’”

Wuest says he originally hired White because of a great referral from another employee and because he was impressed by her enthusiasm for the company's vision and her strong work ethic.

White joined Thompson Creek right as Wuest was taking over the business from his father. It was beginning a transformation involving a rebrand and moving from a business-to-business model to a business-to-customer model, so hiring people on board with that business overhaul was imperative to Wuest.

Advice for women in the industry

“It’s hard work that really, truly pays off. Don’t be afraid to take chances and take advantage of opportunities,” says White. “Also, be humble and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance when you need it. Surround yourself with good people. Without the right team surrounding you and supporting you, you can’t make it happen.”

"Make sure that you're working with the right people and that you get into the right kind of organization that will foster your growth and support you," says Wuest. "Get advice from as many people as you can and charge your own path ahead. Don't be intimidated because you think anything like gender may hold you back. At the right organization, the opportunities are there and the needs are dynamic."