科琳·科尔多瓦，1982年

Chief Executive Officer and President, STAR Turbine, Inc.

I have worked in manufacturing for 40 years. I am the proud mother of two children and have enjoyed demanding roles while working hard to cultivate family and friendships along the way. After earning my masters in engineering at Virginia Tech, I started out working as a product engineer in an AlliedFibers manufacturing facility. In the process of developing new products, I found that I had an affinity for selling product ideas to upper management and to potential customers. I set goals on running a business segment and thus went back to school to get my MBA. After two years in the financial department, I moved back into the business in marketing and sales, and then took a business directors role for WRGrace, 一家化学公司. I eventually wound up as president for ConformaClad, a small business in Kennemetal Inc. My responsibilities grew and my final position was vice president and general manager for Engineered Wear Components, a $300 million business with over 1,000名员工和9个工厂.

How Virginia Tech equipped me for the 'real world'...
The professors were very pragmatic and encouraged us to follow the 80/20 rule, 虽然完美是伟大的, 不需要得A. Better to complete all the tasks than be caught up in doing only one well.

Best part of being a Virginia Tech alum...
Going back to campus, having my daughter also go to Tech, and the school spirit.

This excites me the most about the future of my industry...
Manufacturing is cleaner, safer, and more efficient than ever and it is coming back to the U.S.A. 有高薪稳定的工作.

一个激励过我的人...
My father who also earned his masters from Virginia Tech, and believed his daughters could succeed at anything they wanted to do.

我读的最后一本书...
This Just Speaks to Me by Hoda Kotb

这是我遗愿清单上的第一项...
Having grandchildren, not just grandanimals.

Biggest misconception about my job or industry...
That it is unpleasant and only men can succeed in it. It actually offers many varied professions and jobs, 非常高科技, and being a woman is an advantage as one stands out in the crowd.

Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...
Do your absolute best, enjoy what you do, and do it your own way. Constantly set a path forward but be willing to change directions.

The last time I ventured out of my comfort zone...
I started playing pickleball (not an athlete), met some great new friends and found a new cause. The Center for Adoption Support and Education provides support and education for those in adoption and foster care, a community that needs our help in order to excel, 她有那么多可以给予的.

The most formative experience I've had...
Global work - doing a turnaround in Brazil, running a plant in East Germany, 在印度的董事会任职.

我最喜欢的一句话...
"Today is the day you worried about yesterday, and you are still standing."

你最自豪的是什么?
Being surrounded by wonderful family and friends while making a difference in the manufacturing world.