For our sixth installment of the #WinTogether CREW Spotlight, we spoke with Patrick Freeman, Rockingham Plant Manager. Patrick has had a long and successful career in the manufacturing industry, and we appreciate having him on our CREW!
We hope you enjoy getting to learn more about Patrick!
Where are you from?
“I am originally from Alabama. After graduating from high school, I spent 24 years in the Marines and eventually went into manufacturing and spent time living in California, New York, Georgia, and eventually North Carolina”
When and how did you join Novipax?
“I’ve spent many years of my career turning around facilities in need of improvement. I joined in November 2021 to help turnaround the Rockingham facility, so I came in to take what was already good and enhance it. There’s a feeling of success in taking what’s good about a place and enhancing it.”
What do your day-to-day responsibilities consist of?
“It all depends on the day, mainly ensuring safety, quality, and cost. Safety speaks for itself; we want everyone to come and leave work the same way. Quality, we have tried enhancing focus in quality to give to customers, and so they can pass it on to their networks. Cost, there are a lot of aspects of cost to be aware of, and many people do not realize that what happens daily can impact cost. Cost drives everything so we make sure our staff understands how it impacts our facility.
The plant manager position in my opinion is the best job in the world. We are high enough up that we have impact in the company and the wellbeing of our personnel, but low enough to maintain close ties with our communities.”
What is something unique that you have experienced at Novipax?
“Coming into the Rockingham facility and the Rockingham community as a whole, the open arms mentality they bring you in with. I work with a great group of people, and everyone was very open from day 1 and willing to learn new things. I’ve been able to share my experience with the people at the plant and with leadership and we have all been able to learn from each other. We never stop improving.
What is your favorite thing about working for Novipax?
“The people. I’ve been a lot of different places and it’s hard to find a place where people look out for each other so much. From the offices to the floor, truly a family environment. We truly care and want the best for our employees.”
What is your favorite activity in Rockingham?
“My favorite activity is my walks on the floor. It gives me a chance to get off the desk and away from the meetings, but most importantly gives me a chance to speak to my hourly workers and find out how they’re doing.”
What is your favorite restaurant in the area?
“Biscuitville”
What is your favorite hobby?
“I’ve rediscovered a hobby I had when I was younger and have found time for gardening again. I’m starting to grow some long beans and I’m on my second year with collard greens. I’m planting a few more crops this year and will be trying for a peach tree soon.”
What is your favorite vacation spot?
The Philippines
What is the last book that you read?
The Book of Revelations
What is your life mantra/motto?
“I want to get through life transparent and with the best morals I can. I believe in being truthful and sometimes people don’t like that but I think those are the two things you should live by.
The word integrity is an important word to me because that means you do things right even when no one is looking, and I believe if everyone lived like that the world would be a much better place.”
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
For our seventh installment of the #WinTogether CREW Spotlight, we spoke with Alberto De la Vega, El Paso Human Resources Manager. Alberto was our first El Paso employee, and he plays a key role in helping us grow our CREW in El Paso. We appreciate having him as our guide as we join the El Paso community!
We hope you enjoy getting to learn more about Alberto!
Where are you from?
“Born and raised in Cuidad Juárez, Mexico”
When and how did you join Novipax?
“I joined in November 2022 after a corporate recruiter reached out on LinkedIn. I was looking to make a transition and the role aligned with what I wanted to do.”
What is your job title?
“Human Resources Manager”
What do your day-to-day responsibilities consist of?
“Right now, a little bit of everything but I have concentrated more on recruiting to staff our El Paso Plant. We just completed our hiring frenzies which went extremely well, and we have a lot of great talent joining our team in the upcoming weeks/months. I am also focusing on transmitting the Novipax culture to our new hires here in El Paso and making sure they understand their role within Novipax. It is important that they know that they play a big role in the company and aren’t just a number, but valued members of our CREW!
What is something unique that you have experienced at Novipax?
“Everything has been unique. Shutting down a plant and opening up a new one and being a part of all the planning that goes in place. Building up a plant and a staff from the ground up is unique.”
What is your favorite thing about working for Novipax?
“That’s a tough question because there are a lot of things. Great personalities and leadership and being part of such an important milestone in Novipax history. The leadership, guidance, and mentorship we’ve experienced have been amazing.”
What is your favorite activity in the El Paso area?
“Training the soccer kids that I coach. Last May we were city league division champions and hopefully, we can regain that title in the spring.”
What is your favorite restaurant in the area?
“I have two! Chicos Tacos is an El Paso tradition; cash only, hole in the wall, and has been there since 1950. Clasico Kitchen also locally owned been in business since 2010 they have the best burgers and micheladas.”
Who has been the most influential person in your life thus far?
“My parents. They have been really supportive of my decisions.”
What is your favorite hobby?
“Playing soccer.”
What is your favorite vacation spot?
“Guadalajara, Jalisco MX.”
What is the last book that you read?
“My PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification book, before that “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson, and “Zapp! The Lightning of Empowerment” by William Byham and Jeff Cox. More books about work than fun at the moment.”
What is your life mantra/motto?
“Take every opportunity. You never know what kind of experience you will get, I never want to look back and have any regrets.”
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
For our first #WinTogether CREW Spotlight of 2023, we spoke with our Customer Service Manager, Ilia Stitt. Here at Novipax, our core values are represented by the acronym CREW, which stands for Customer Focus, Respect, Excellence, and Win Together, and in her role, Ilia plays a key role in Customer Focus. We hope you enjoy getting to know more about Ilia!
Where are you from?
“I was born in Philadelphia and now live in the Amish Country in Lebanon, PA.”
When and how did you join Novipax?
“I joined in May 2017 after my previous boss had joined Novipax and invited me to apply when there was an opening.”
What do your day-to-day responsibilities consist of?
“As customer service manager I am the liaison between sales, quality, production, shipping, the client, and the customer. This means my day-to-day varies but often includes responsibilities such as managing and reporting on time and in full orders, assisting with client claims and quality, placing orders, and more!”
What is something unique that you have experienced at Novipax?
“Being the liaison of all of these different departments is very unique and I’m not sure many other people can say that.”
What is your favorite thing about working for Novipax?
“Everyone is very supportive, and it is a very caring and family-like atmosphere. If there are ever any mistakes, we hold each other accountable, but we are always ready to support through difficulties.”
What is your favorite activity in the Oak Brook area?
“Eating.”
What is your favorite restaurant in the Oak Brook area?
“Lou Malnati’s Pizza.”
What is your favorite hobby?
“Cleaning and organizing.”
What is your favorite vacation spot?
“Anywhere that’s not my house.”
What is the last book that you have read?
“Darkfever by Karen Marie Moaning”
What is your life mantra/motto?
“Done is better than perfect.”
If you had to describe Novipax in one word, what would it be?
“Progression.”
What is one impact you would like to make during your time at Novipax?
“To spread honesty and a hard-working mentality.”