Great to talk with you today Katie, thanks for taking the time. Can you take us back and start with how long you’ve been with Walsworth?

Yeah, it actually hasn’t been too long. I’ve been here for about a year and a half.

I’m originally from Colorado. My fiancé was offered a position here in Missouri at the Aurora Organic Dairy (in Columbia), and we moved to the area. Once we were here, I reached out to Walsworth, and I was lucky enough to grab a position.

What’s your official title?

I’m a Human Resources Business Partner here at the Fulton facility.

Can you tell us about any noteworthy career stops before you got here to Walsworth?

There haven’t been many major ones. (laughs) When I was working just to get through college, I was a manager for a frozen yogurt shop in Colorado Springs.

After I graduated, I went to work for a company called Sashco. They were a caulking, sealant and stain company, and it’s where I got my foot in the door with HR. I was the HR coordinator there for a couple years before we moved to Missouri.

Had it always been the plan or a goal of yours to pursue a career in HR?

No, I actually started my college career planning on getting a business degree for accounting.

But then I realized that I like to talk too much, and I didn’t really like numbers. (laughs) But I was too far into my business program, so I chose the next best thing, which happened to be human resources.

Now that you’re actually working in human resources, how are you enjoying it?

I love it because I get to help people. There are harder days, of course, but overall it’s great and I love the work I get to do with our team.

My favorite part is probably recruiting. I do a lot of interviews and help people support their families by offering them positions here at Walsworth.

Did you ever envision working for a printing company, or in the manufacturing world?

It was definitely brand new, but I enjoy it. I had never been inside a printing facility before I came here, so when I got the first look it was very overwhelming. I’m still learning new things every day.

One of the company’s core initiatives has been centered around becoming the employer of choice in our communities. From your perspective there in Fulton, how are things going?

I think progress is being made, and we’re getting out into the community more. We’ve reached out to the Callaway Chamber of Commerce to work with them and connect with the people of Fulton and surrounding areas.

We’re trying to reach groups like veterans, so that’s meant reaching out to the armed forces and the national guard as well.

When you are out recruiting, what kind of pitch do you make for Walsworth, particularly to younger people?

The biggest thing I like to say, mainly because it’s what drove me here, is that we’re a family-owned company. I think that goes a long way in speaking to our culture, particularly for those who don’t really want a corporate environment.

I also promote that we have three- and four-day work weeks, which is big push in the Fulton area.

Let’s rephrase the question… Fulton has had a lot of change over the past few years. What has it been like?

The teamwork and seeing all of Walsworth come together to help was really special. Maintenance and production team members from Marceline and Saint Joe came to help. It’s been a great morale boost to see the presses running well and to have the building updated. The transformation has been incredible to see.

Did you grow up in Colorado?

Yes, I grew up in Erie, Colorado. That’s my childhood home. My parents still live out there after 30 years.

And you moved here because your fiancé got a job, right?

Yep, we came here, and I started working for Walsworth. And my fiancé Stephen actually found a new job since then and is now working at the VA hospital in Columbia. It was something he couldn’t pass up.

And where did you attend college?

I started at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where I had a scholarship to play softball.

Unfortunately, I had a blown rotator cuff and some nerve damage, so I had to return home to Colorado to have surgery. After surgery, I just couldn’t throw anymore. So I left and finished at Colorado State University.

Having your softball career end abruptly like that had to be a difficult transition for you.

It was very difficult. My entire life and the main reason I went to college was because of softball.

When that ended, it was hard. I actually took a year off from college to figure out who I was outside of softball, outside of sports? It took a while, but I found fishing and realized I love  gardening and just being outdoors.

Is your fiancé originally from Colorado?

He is. He joined the Marines out of high school, and he’s been all over for the past eight years until we ended up in Missouri.

Outside of work, do you guys have any hobbies?

We love to go fishing. I still like to play slow-pitch softball. Any outdoor activities really.

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

Probably that I was a softball pitcher in college, or that I’m a Type one diabetic. I’ve been diabetic for 22 years now.

Time for our series of fun questions. Do you have a favorite book?

Yes, I have a few, but the one I’m reading right now that I’m really enjoying is A Court of Thorns and Roses. It’s a five-book series, and it’s been really good so far.

It’s one of those fictional books where the human world and mythical creature world have to come together to fight the bad guys.

Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?

(laughs) I don’t know if this is HR appropriate, but The Ringer is one of my favorites. Forever Strong is one of my other favorites. It just depends on what we want to watch.

What about a favorite food?

Italian. Definitely. If I could choose, lasagna.

Do you have a favorite vacation spot you have been to?

I actually went on a 14-state road trip back during COVID times that was my favorite. I love road tripping.

We went from Colorado to Indiana for my cousin’s wedding, then headed down into Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, all the way back to Colorado.

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

It would probably say, “Chaos Coordinator” on it.

At this point in your career, do you have a favorite memory or accomplishment that you’re particularly proud of?

Back when I was at Satchco, we had 17 open positions when I started that I was able to get down to two, and the turnover rate went from 6-point something down to zero. That was really exciting for me.