Thanks for taking the time to chat today Cassie. To start us off, can you tell us what year you started with Walsworth and how you joined the company?

Sure, so I’ve been with the company since January 2015. I started in customer service.

After college, I moved back home and was kind of in that phase where I didn’t really know what I wanted or career I wanted to pursue. I saw that Walsworth had a job opening in Commercial Customer Service. I’ve always had an outgoing personality and felt a customer-facing job would be right for me.

I’m thankful it’s turned into a great career.

What is your official title now?

I’m the Commercial Customer Service and Pre-Press Manager in Marceline.

And you’ve basically been with Walsworth your entire career, right?

Yes, I held part-time jobs throughout college, including working at a bank. But I basically started my professional career at Walsworth.

What previous job titles did you hold before becoming manager?

I started as a Planner in Commercial Customer Service. I planned jobs from start to finish through manufacturing. I eventually started getting my own customer accounts and worked my way up to a CSR role.

A few years after that, I got a promotion to Senior CSR. A few years later the Pre-press Supervisor position opened, and I wanted to advance my career, so I applied. I became the Pre-Press Supervisor in 2021 and was in that position for four years.

With Julie Huffmon’s retirement, I was promoted to my current role in December of 2024.

What kind of a mentor was Julie (Huffmon)?

Julie was a great mentor. She helped me in so many ways. I mean, she had been my only boss from the start of my career, so it’s kind of weird not having her around anymore.

It was always nice throwing ideas over the wall to Julie, she would offer constructive feedback and encouragement. Julie always put me up to the challenge and supported me along the way. She had a positive impact on my career.

You mentioned earlier that you had always been pretty outgoing, but did you always think you might end up with a career in customer service?

Not at all, I was an agriculture student in college. Growing up on a farm north of New Cambria (Missouri), I thought I would go that route. Printing or customer service never crossed my mind, but I really enjoy it.

Do you feel like it takes a certain type of personality to be successful in customer service?

Not necessarily, but it does take someone with a positive mindset with good organizational skills, as well as being able to have conversations and communicate with others. Customer service can be unpredictable, having the ability to adapt to different situations and handle diverse personalities is important.

Now that you’ve moved on to a managerial role, do you miss being a CSR?

As the Pre-Press Supervisor, I missed all the customer interaction. I was more employee facing and had limited interaction with customers unless there were issues to be resolved. However, as a manager, I now have more opportunities to engage with our customers daily, assisting the CSRs. It has allowed me to reconnect with the customer-facing side of the business.

In my role, I frequently focus on identifying solutions for our customers and playing a key role in onboarding new customers, ensuring they feel welcomed and supported as they begin their journey with Walsworth.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy collaborating with the team and assisting our customers. Every day presents new challenges, which keeps the work dynamic and engaging. I feel receiving positive feedback from customers—whether it’s about how much they love their book or how appreciative they are of the customer service experience—it’s what I find so rewarding.

Are there things you feel like you’ve grown to love about the print industry?

I never knew it took as many steps as it does to print a book. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t understand. It is exciting watching printed product get created from start to finish.

Did you grow up in the area?

I grew up about 15 miles northeast of Marceline in a town called New Cambria.

Can you tell us about your family?

Yes, my husband Drew and I have two kids. A 7-year-old girl, Aspen, and a 9-year-old boy, Braxton. They both have birthdays coming up in April!

We spend a lot of spare time traveling to the kids sporting events. Braxton likes to play basketball, football, and golf. Aspen is still testing the waters on what she likes. If you asked her, she’d most likely tell you coloring is her extracurricular activity (laughs) and that she does not like sweating.

My husband also works with Walsworth. He is Pressroom/Cover Department Manager in Marceline.

What hobbies do you guys have?

We love to get out on the golf course. During the summer, you can usually find us pool side with the kids. We’re outside a lot. When I’m not here, you can usually catch me outside doing something.

Do you guys travel much?

We try to go on one vacation a year, but we don’t travel a whole lot. I’m kind of a mountains person and my husband’s more of an ocean person, so we try to alternate from year to year.

I love spending time at home, always having a DIY project that my husband tries not to have any part in (laughs).

What’s one interesting thing about you that most people might not know?

I enjoy antique shopping and redoing furniture in my spare time.

Do you have a favorite book?

(laughs) You know, I don’t do a whole lot of reading right now.

Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

I enjoy watching the Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago PD series… but I don’t usually get a chance to watch my shows as sports channels take priority in our household.

What about a favorite food?

Probably anything my husband cooks. (laughs)

Does he have a specialty?

He likes to grill, I would say he’s a BBQ connoisseur.

If you had a personalized coffee mug, what would it say?

This is 90% Sugar… I don’t like black coffee.

Do you have a favorite memory or specific accomplishment from your time here at Walsworth over the past 10+ years?

I was honored to be awarded the 2024 PIA Young Professional of the Year.