From Left to Right: Richard Laurenzi (PMP Chairman), Lezlye Zupkus (R-89), Karen McWhirt (PMP President), Rob Sampson (R-16), Anthony Romero (PMP -Sales and Applications Eng. Mgr.)
Women of Excellence in Manufacturing Award
State Representative Lezlye Zupkus (R-89) and State Senator Rob Sampson (R-16) visited Prospect Machine Products on February 11, 2020 and presented an official state citation to Karen McWhirt, PMP’s new president.
Karen was recognized with the 2019 Women of Excellence in Manufacturing Award by the Precision Metal Association. This annual award was announced in the November 2019 edition of the MetalForming magazine.
An “Up-By-The-Bootstraps” Manufacturing Leader
A 19-year industry veteran, Karen was administrative director for the Smaller Manufacturers Association of Connecticut before becoming a member of the Prospect Machine Products team seven years ago, where she served as controller/human resources manager before being named company president.
Her nominator describes her as an “up-by-the-bootstraps manufacturing leader with a disciplined mindset” that has enabled her to “expand her role into purchasing, inventory control, and production while becoming our manufacturing software expert.”
As the person who runs the company’s daily Gemba meetings, “Karen has gained the respect of the entire team by the example she sets for hard work, trustworthiness, and team spirit,” says her nominator.
Karen also serves on the board of directors for ConnStep (Connecticut State Technology Extension Program), a statewide manufacturing extension partnership affiliate.
“There is no career in manufacturing for which women are not qualified. Opportunities for women continue to grow throughout the ranks of manufacturing, especially with our country’s shortage of skilled workers. I continue my advocacy with local educators in the vocational technical high schools, middle schools, high schools and community colleges to promote manufacturing as a career worth pursuing for all students” – Karen McWhirt
Congratulations, Karen, on a much-deserved award!
From the entire team at Prospect Machine Products.
