PMG Employee Spotlight with Amy G.
Amy is the President of PMG and in her 15th year with the company. She is also a card-carrying member of Santa’s Fan Club and gift wraps at an expert level. Obviously, that makes her the perfect subject for our Christmas Special edition of the PMG Employee Spotlight!
What do you like most about working for PMG?
The smart, hard-working, kind group of people I get to call my teammates. PMG was my first job out of college, and I have been here ever since. We have grown a lot over that time. We’ve done that with the input of some very talented, committed people who are able to accomplish more than they otherwise would because they are excellent at working as a team. The opportunity to work with the PMG Team day in and day out is one of the things I value most about my job.
What are your main responsibilities as President?
I wear a lot of hats! I’m responsible for working with our team to develop and execute our organization’s growth strategy and operational best practices. As a result, that means I get to work in almost every area of our organization from lead generation to sales to technical solutions to operations to project management.
What do you like most about your job?
The ability to quickly impact outcomes! Our company is small and that allows us to be nimble. If a team member recommends a process change or new best practice, that we believe will positively impact results, we can quickly develop a plan to implement and monitor progress, and roll it out.
What did you do prior to working at PMG?
Prior to PMG I was a college student. I worked as a both a server and sold pull tabs and meat raffles (for those not from Minnesota, that is a raffle for a prize of meat from a local butcher with proceeds going to a charitable cause) during college.
What advice would you give to a recent new hire at PMG?
Don’t be afraid to ask if you have questions. Everyone on our team is always so welcoming and so willing to answer questions and help get a new team member up-to-speed!
What has changed about your perception of manufacturing from before working at PMG to now?
I used to think manufacturing meant manual labor. But what I’ve learned since coming to PMG is there’s so much more math, science, engineering, process and teamwork that goes into every point of manufacturing than I realized. There is true talent and skill in almost every position on a manufacturing floor!
What did you want to be when growing up?
A lawyer. A few family members pointed out at a young age that I was good at winning arguments, and it might be a good future career for me!
What advice would you give to all the girls and young women out there who are just starting to think about where their career paths may take them in the future?
When I was younger, I never thought I’d work in manufacturing. Now I do, and I love it! Have an open mind and know that you can do whatever you want to do, no matter what it traditionally looks like. Find your passion, work hard, surround yourself with good people, and there is no limit to what you can accomplish.
What are some positives/opportunities to leading a team during the holidays?
I feel like the holidays are a time of year when I reflect more than usual on the things I am grateful for, and have an opportunity to share those thoughts with the people around me. Usually around this time of year our team gathers to visit with Santa, have a holiday potluck and gift exchange, and to get together for a holiday party. Those celebrations are great opportunities to say thank you for being an incredible team!
What are some negatives/challenges to leading a team during the holidays?
Balancing business demands with wanting to make sure people get time with their families to celebrate the holidays without work distractions. I think we try to do a pretty good job of this but, sometimes when we are very busy heading into the holidays, I know shutting work off can be difficult.
If you could give one gift to your team for the holidays, what would it be?
The item on each of their lists that is purely for their happiness! Our team worked even harder than usual in this incredibly challenging year, and persevered as a result, so I’d give them a gift that would bring them enjoyment as they take some well-deserved time off around the holidays!
If you could get one gift from your team for the holidays, what would it be?
My list is pretty short this year! A puppy is on my list, but I think my family has that one covered. Just having the opportunity to work with our team makes me incredibly happy. I’ll miss gathering for our holiday party this year due to the pandemic, so a good gift would be just having the opportunity to connect during our Zoom with Santa to wish each other a Happy Holidays!
What animal best describes you at work?
I’m going to go with a pack animal that displays solid teamwork and communication, like a wolf, because I truly believe that PMG’s best outcomes happen when we get all of the right team members together and sharing input to come up with our most successful path forward.
What are some hobbies you do in your free time?
I love to cook. My grandma always said baking bread was her “occupational therapy”. I began cooking with her at a very young age, and have loved it ever since. I think I love cooking because you can see the delicious outcome of your work, and enjoy it with your loved ones. I also love spending time outdoors with my family biking, playing on the swing set, and playing kickball.
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Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why?
The Tahitian Island of Moorea on my honeymoon. It is beautiful, pristine and 100% paradise.
What celebrity/inspirational person do you admire the most?
This year I’ve been inspired by the healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic. Both those caring for the sick as well as supporting the families of those who are sick and cannot be with their loved ones at the hospital. My family, like so many others, have been cared for and were able to stay in touch with family members who were sick because of healthcare workers who were willing to sacrifice their health (and time with their families) even more than usual this year.
You’re happiest when…
I’m with my family.
What’s your favorite restaurant and your must-order there?
I love food, so it’s hard to pick just one! There is a local place in a smaller town near us that has amazing atmosphere and food, called Main Street Farmer, that’s near the top of my list. They have a spicy turkey burger and amazing fresh cut French fries with garlic dipping sauce. I could eat about 1,000 of those fries!
What is your favorite Christmas tradition personal and professional?
Personal: Getting together with my grandma, aunts and cousins to make 500 ravioli for our family Christmas dinner.
Professional: When Santa Claus visits our office and everyone brings their families in to visit with him. I’m looking forward to the Zoom edition (due to COVID) of Santa’s visit this year!
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What is your favorite Christmas-Only Treat:
Chocolate Peanut butter Ball cookies. Also, my husband’s grandma’s recipe for eggnog with ice cream. It’s basically eggnog and with a half gallon of ice cream to stay cold. It’s delicious!
What is your best Christmas memory?
When I was 8 years old, and Santa brought the puppy I wanted more than anything for Christmas. Before Christmas, my mom told my dad that we could not get a puppy. Luckily, he figured out that my mom would not make us return a gift from Santa! We all ended up loving the puppy, including our mom. The puppy was our family dog for the 14 years following that Christmas!
What is your worst Christmas memory?
I don’t have one. I have been lucky enough to spend every Christmas of my life with my family and loved ones. Even in the years when we’ve been less merry because a seat at the table is newly empty, being together, sharing memories and celebrating the season was still wonderful.
