tHE KICK@$$ WOMEN IN LEADERship AT PENNAIR
WOMEN
- info@pennair.com
- 888-631-7638
- Service Counter: 717-840-1600
International Women’s Day, March 8, 2021
2 minute read
Cheryl Rhein, the current Chairman of PennAir, took up the mantle in June of 2019 after serving as CEO for 10 years. Her parents launched the company in 1968 in a small garage in downtown York. She literally grew up in the business. Cheryl and her husband , Bob Rhein (President), started a division of PennAir in 1988, and she has been active in the organization ever since, serving in shipping, customer service, marketing, and accounting over her 33 year career. With the third generation’s energy, passion and expertise, Rhein remains close to the business, but is also able to sneak in time for their 6 grandchildren, travel, and a good book.
Cheryl’s advice to young women, “Start each day by remembering all you have to be thankful for. Smile, even when others don’t smile back. Slow down and enjoy the good times, creating memories you can draw on during the difficult patches. Realize that the tough times will pass, and that sometimes, the only way out, is through. Resilience, grit and character are the fruits of doing what is right, not what is easy.”
Misty was a Customer Service Representative at a previous Employer for 13 years when she started looking for a change. She had done everything from answering the phone, maintaining the petty cash box, balancing the check book, handled all billing for that office location, and running all office errands. She was also the main customer service rep for one of the Employer’s big accounts. In 2009, Misty was let go due to the state of the economy. It was then she learned of PennAir and began to purse a career with here in Customer Service. With a smile, Misty said “it was a dream come true” when PennAir COO called her with the job offer. Since then, Misty’s hardwork and attitude was recognized and she became the Manager for the Technical Customer Service team. She has been in customer service here for shy of 11 years. Misty loves what she does and has a serious passion for this job and the manufacturing industry.
Misty’s advice to young women, “Please never let anyone under estimate you, in your wants, dreams and where you want to go in life. If you put your mind to it and have the want and drive to achieve, it will come Naturally. Never Let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You have that control & power to make it possible.“
Misty was a Customer Service Representative at a previous Employer for 13 years when she started looking for a change. She had done everything from answering the phone, maintaining the petty cash box, balancing the check book, handled all billing for that office location, and running all office errands. She was also the main customer service rep for one of the Employer’s big accounts. In 2009, Misty was let go due to the state of the economy. It was then she learned of PennAir and began to purse a career with here in Customer Service. With a smile, Misty said “it was a dream come true” when PennAir COO called her with the job offer. Since then, Misty’s hardwork and attitude was recognized and she became the Manager for the Technical Customer Service team. She has been in customer service here for shy of 11 years. Misty loves what she does and has a serious passion for this job and the manufacturing industry.
Misty’s advice to young women, “Please never let anyone under estimate you, in your wants, dreams and where you want to go in life. If you put your mind to it and have the want and drive to achieve, it will come Naturally. Never Let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. You have that control & power to make it possible.“
Lisa Kellison enrolled in college for her Bachelors’ degree at the age of 40. She believes it’s never too late to start your career and follow what you’re passionate about. While attending college and being a student, Lisa was also a full-time wife, mom, son’s chauffer, and employee. She never gave up on herself when times were tough and encourages others to do the same. Upon graduating and joining PennAir, she promised herself she would do her best to be the type of leader for her team that she has always looked up to. “There have been many challenges from small hills, to what seemed like unclimbable mountains, during this journey to leadership,” Lisa said with a confident smile and she reflects back.
Lisa’s advice to young women, “Perseverance is key, it’s okay to say no, stay true to yourself, place your trust in the right people and places, never forget those moments in life that bring you joy, everyone is a work in progress and your journey isn’t done until you say it’s done, and don’t believe in anyone that tells you you can’t. The naysayers will only fuel your inner fire.”
When Melissa started at PennAir, she had no previous experience in shipping and receiving, but she was determined to learn. She was dedicated and worked hard to prove to herself she could do this. “PennAir gave me a job, but I wanted to be the reason I kept it” Melissa states as she reflects on her first year with PennAir. Now, after 13 years of kicking @$$, Melissa went from knowing little to nothing, to leading PennAir’s logistics team.
Melissa’s advice to young women is a short list she wrote and reads every day that inspires her, “Stand up for Yourself – Empower Yourself. Use what you’re going through to fuel yourself. Push yourself to step out of the box. Don’t let fear stop you. Having courage will defeat doubt. Make a choice and stand behind it. Your self esteem makes you confident. Respect yourself and others. ”
When Melissa started at PennAir, she had no previous experience in shipping and receiving, but she was determined to learn. She was dedicated and worked hard to prove to herself she could do this. “PennAir gave me a job, but I wanted to be the reason I kept it” Melissa states as she reflects on her first year with PennAir. Now, after 13 years of kicking @$$, Melissa went from knowing little to nothing, to leading PennAir’s logistics team.
Melissa’s advice to young women is a short list she wrote and reads every day that inspires her, “Stand up for Yourself – Empower Yourself. Use what you’re going through to fuel yourself. Push yourself to step out of the box. Don’t let fear stop you. Having courage will defeat doubt. Make a choice and stand behind it. Your self esteem makes you confident. Respect yourself and others. ”
Casey went to college not entirely knowing what she was passionate about, however she was always intrigued by the way people consumed information. Soon after starting college for a degree in Pyschology, she took a marketing course and fell in love with the discipline. Casey became increasingly fascinated by how communication and marketing tactics drive products, businesses, and the economy. Marketing was her way of feeling as if she was leaving a dent on the world – she was helping people discover services and products that make life easier. Very quickly, she switched her major to Marketing & Communications and never looked back. However, the marketing industry is always changing and the day she graduated, everything she learned was already considered “outdated” as the digital age of marketing was born. At first Casey felt defeated and second guessed her decision of not going to college for healthcare like everyone in her family before her did. Letting her passion drive her, she refused to back down and took it upon herself to self teach the art of Digital Marketing: Adobe Suite, Google Suite, Hubspot, Social Media Marketing, HTML, Pay-Per-Click, Search Engine Optimization, and so on. She now holds seven marketing certifications. Her hard work and determination led Casey down a successful career path of sales, real estate marketing, and freelancing before Casey joined PennAir.
Casey’s advice to young women, “Sometimes you will wonder off the path intended for you, or you’re not sure what your path is, but just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you will eventually find where it is you are supposed to be.”
MaryRose started in Human Resources as a HR Assistant at the East York Lowes and fell in love with the profession. She did not have a background in Human Resources at all so she joined the local HR organization so she could go to monthly meetings and learn more about the profession. After MaryRose met the requirements, she needed to sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification test. She studied and studied and studied a little more to take and pass that test and she was successful and was able to put PHR behind her name. A few years later the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) came out with their own certification which MaryRose also carries and maintains so she is a SHRM-Certified Professional as well. Early on in her career, MaryRose had high ambitions about what she wanted to accomplish and how she wanted to grow in this profession that she had stumbled upon. Reflecting back, MaryRose had to face and overcome issues with organizations who didn’t see the value in HR, she became good at overcoming statements like “you’re not our ideal candidate because we want someone past having a family.” She went into those situations knowing that she had something to offer and stood her ground as needed. MaryRose had to learn to compromise and know when to pick her battles and when the battle wasn’t worth it.
MaryRose’s advice to young women, “If I could give any advice to someone who is new to any career, it is to make sure you are taking the steps to learn what you need to know, stand your ground and be heard (respectfully), don’t be afraid to tell someone you don’t know but you’ll find out and don’t be discouraged if it isn’t an easy journey just keep on chugging along.”
MaryRose started in Human Resources as a HR Assistant at the East York Lowes and fell in love with the profession. She did not have a background in Human Resources at all so she joined the local HR organization so she could go to monthly meetings and learn more about the profession. After MaryRose met the requirements, she needed to sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certification test. She studied and studied and studied a little more to take and pass that test and she was successful and was able to put PHR behind her name. A few years later the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) came out with their own certification which MaryRose also carries and maintains so she is a SHRM-Certified Professional as well. Early on in her career, MaryRose had high ambitions about what she wanted to accomplish and how she wanted to grow in this profession that she had stumbled upon. Reflecting back, MaryRose had to face and overcome issues with organizations who didn’t see the value in HR, she became good at overcoming statements like “you’re not our ideal candidate because we want someone past having a family.” She went into those situations knowing that she had something to offer and stood her ground as needed. MaryRose had to learn to compromise and know when to pick her battles and when the battle wasn’t worth it.
MaryRose’s advice to young women, “If I could give any advice to someone who is new to any career, it is to make sure you are taking the steps to learn what you need to know, stand your ground and be heard (respectfully), don’t be afraid to tell someone you don’t know but you’ll find out and don’t be discouraged if it isn’t an easy journey just keep on chugging along.”
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