Operations Manager Nesper Sign Advertising, Cedar Rapids 29 Who do you consider your local mentors? Phil and Donna Garland, my parents and Nesper Sign Advertising Inc. owners; John Tursi, director of operations of the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids; Jim O’Connell, independent farmer What do you consider your biggest break so far? Doubt. […]
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Operations Manager
Nesper Sign Advertising, Cedar Rapids
29
Who do you consider your local mentors? Phil and Donna Garland, my parents and Nesper Sign Advertising Inc. owners; John Tursi, director of operations of the Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids; Jim O’Connell, independent farmer
What do you consider your biggest break so far? Doubt. I’ve experienced people (teachers, coworkers, personal relationships) who have quickly ruled out my capabilities based on my surface and not my internal makeup. I’ve found that harnessing emotions, such as frustration, resentment and sadness as motivators of discipline, gain true growth and strength. Difficult memories create a tattoo for our mind as powerful driving forces when used as a means of offense.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I am passionate about environmentalism and lead Nesper Sign’s Solar Power Initiative to create an 0% carbon footprint in our manufacturing plant, alongside a recycling rebate program for our raw materials (aluminum, steel, wire, plastic) that is directly reinvested in our company.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? Virtual activism. It creates optical diversions in an immediate gratification-seeking world because it requires the least amount of energy, limiting our ability to experience real change. Posting or following social media accounts creates the appearance of meaning, commitment and sacrifice without the acts of commitment and sacrifice. Ultimately, change is obtained through your commitments to things you have chosen to sacrifice (money, time, sleep). Great sacrifice allows for greater commitment, a lack of commitment seeps superficiality in the core of complex issues we all seek to make a difference.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? Millennials embrace change and technology. We take pride and value in leaving our workplace/earth better than we found it. For example, in manufacturing this comes from using technology/wearing proper PPE to prolong the health of our physical bodies, disposing of hazardous materials properly and creating spreadsheets for efficiency/organizational storage.
