Goodyear, Cooper Tire employees honored with STEP Ahead awards

AKRON—The Manufacturing Institute will honor five women who work for Goodyear and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. at its upcoming Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards for leadership in their companies.

The STEP Ahead Awards recognize women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their careers and represent all levels of manufacturing.

The Goodyear and Cooper employees, among 130 women nationally who have earned the honor from a field of hundreds of nominees, will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C., on April 20.

The STEP Ahead Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, launched by The Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers, to promote the role of women in manufacturing through recognition, research and leadership for attracting, advancing and retaining strong female talent.

The honorees in the tire manufacturing industry are:

• Melissa Ross — director of project management and capital planning for Goodyear's North America business. She joined Goodyear shortly after graduation from college, serving in a series of engineering and project management roles across Goodyear's global manufacturing footprint.

She is a mentor for Millennial Goodyear associates and has helped enhance a co-op program in Goodyear's Global Engineering group by working with her colleagues to create clear objectives focused on improving the diversity and overall success rate of the program, the company said. Ross also participated in the Community Leadership Institute, partnering with Leadership Akron, and is a member of Women Who Care Medina, an organization that raises funds for local charitable organizations.

• Mbeke Perez—an engineer associate at Goodyear's Houston chemical facility (she was a process safety management engineer when she was chosen for this award). She is being recognized as a STEP Ahead Emerging Leader—a category for women in manufacturing who are under the age of 30—for the enthusiasm she has demonstrated at work and in the Houston community.

Since beginning her career with Goodyear nearly three years ago, she has improved numerous processes and systems within the plant and has demonstrated leadership by sharing her expertise broadly with other Goodyear associates, the company said. Perez is involved in the plant's Associate Activities Committee, which engages Goodyear associates and the community.

"We are proud that the Manufacturing Institute has once again chosen to recognize Goodyear associates with STEP Ahead Awards this year," said Steve McClellan, president, Goodyear Americas.

"Both Melissa and Mbeke began their careers at Goodyear and have made their mark on the company through their innovative thinking, strong leadership and engagement in both the company and the community," McClellan said. "I hope this award not only honors the recipients but also inspires the many other women who work in STEM-related roles at Goodyear."

• Christine Linder—manufacturing services manager at Cooper's tire plant in Texarkana, Ark., joined Cooper as a co-op student in 2002 and three years later became a full-time member of the Cooper team.

A Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Ms. Linder served in a variety of engineering roles with the company. Her community volunteerism includes serving as a wish granter for Make-A-Wish and as a board member for the United Way of Greater Texarkana.

• Stacie Rampe—Cooper's corporate benefits and payroll manager based in Findlay, Ohio, has more than two decades of experience in manufacturing. She joined Cooper in 2012 as a senior human resources business partner.

In the community, she promotes tire and vehicle safety for teens and young adults as a volunteer for Cooper's Tread Wisely program. She also serves as a board member for Children's Mentoring Connection of Hancock County and the Business Affiliates Scholarship program at the University of Findlay.

• Kelsey Wensink—Cooper's regional credit manager, based in Findlay, is honored as a STEP Ahead Award Emerging Leader. She has been a Cooper employee since 2009 and worked in several purchasing and sourcing roles before taking on her current position. She volunteers as a member of Cooper's Dream Team, a group of employees who work with youth to enhance the image of careers in manufacturing.

"It's gratifying to see that three Cooper leaders, out of hundreds of women who were nominated nationwide, earned this important recognition," Brad Hughes, Cooper president and CEO, said. "Christine, Stacie and Kelsey continue to make a positive impact at our company, in the field of manufacturing, and in our communities. All three play integral roles at Cooper and serve as outstanding role models to other women and men in their manufacturing careers.

"On behalf of everyone at Cooper, I congratulate these three leaders and wish them continued success."