Our quality control standards are one of the many things that sets LD Davis apart of our competition. Our lab team works hard each day to make sure each and every raw material and glue batch is within specification, and ready to perform optimally on your production line.
For our latest "Meet The Team" feature we sat down with Tiffany, the Quality Manager in our lab, to learn more about her and her role in our Technical Department.
WORK HARD
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE GLUE INDUSTRY?
I got started in the glue industry by divine intervention. I began my quality career in 2011 in the food industry, and while I’ve always loved being in manufacturing, I never really felt like food was where I should be.
Long story short, I was looking for a new job, preferably not in food, and LD Davis and I found each other.
HOW HAS LD DAVIS HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER DEVELOPMENT?
LD Davis recognized the different ways I can contribute to improving quality in the company from the very start, and in my experience, that’s a very hard attribute to find in large companies. You just work there, another bee in the hive. Here, there’s opportunity to grow and learn. LD Davis takes pride in watching employees succeed and helping them better themselves.
BEFORE WORKING AT LD DAVIS, WHAT WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL OR INTERESTING JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I did cancer research in an academic lab during my last year of college, and then for two years after I graduated. It was an amazing experience.
I had a very difficult time in Chemistry in college, but I was hired into a role that was based mostly in Chemistry in the beginning of their research. We had to extract individual compounds from a whole organism composed of many different compounds and analyze them for purity. Eventually, we moved into more Biology by testing our purified compounds on cancer cells, then in mice.
I co-authored three scientific journal articles and was basically the Lab Manager until I left. I recently learned that the group I worked with is about to start clinical trials on the products we were working on with while I was there: a drug that helps prevent cancer.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PROSPECTIVE LD DAVIS CANDIDATES?
Always have an open mind and be ready for forward movement. We’re always working to improve products and processes and you have to be on board with that. You have to want to contribute to the success of the company, as well as your own personal success. Don’t be afraid to share ideas! Make sure you have a thick skin (something I still have to work on every day HAHA).
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT LD DAVIS?
I like a lot of things about working here, and that’s what I like most about working here.
I’ve worked in a couple of places where the cons outnumbered the pros by far, but at LD Davis, I actually enjoy being at work each day. I love the people that I work with and how we can goof around with each other, but in the end, we all just want to help each other. I love that the sky is the limit and that growth and development are possible. I love that ideas are heard; even if they don’t work, or aren’t possible, the discussions around why we should or shouldn’t do something are always enlightening, and it’s a breath of fresh air that we can even voice them.
We live the “Knowledge is Power” quote, and I learn new things every day. Not all lessons are related to glue; I’ve even learned how business today compares to Game of Thrones HAHA!
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AT LD DAVIS?
When Willis (our Technical Manager) told me he needed me. I mean, I already knew, but it was nice that he finally realized it hahaha! I’m kidding.
My proudest moment was when I was hired. At the time, they were looking for someone to help out in the Lab, but I bring a lot of experience to the table, so they brought me in as a manager. Coming from an industry where talent and knowledge were ignored, this was huge for me. I was also very proud when I learned to stop second guessing myself so much and started being able to get viscosity adjustments right on the first or second try. It seems like a small thing, but to me it was pretty big.
PLAY HARD
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE/DESTINATION TO TRAVEL TO?
I’ve never been much of traveler. I’m a homebody. I like to spend time at home with my family. If we go anywhere, it’s usually the beach, and that’s where my heart is. If LD Davis opens a new plant on the coast, I’m relocating!
LAST CONCERT YOU ATTENDED?
Mastodon and Primus. I’m a metal head.
FAVORITE FOOD?
This is hard. Cheeseburgers, steaks, and salads I think top the list. I used to love tacos until my family decided to burn me out on them lol
FAVORITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?
Also hard. TV shows: Game of Thrones, the Ozarks, Supernatural, So You Think You Can Dance. Movie: Lion King. I can recite that entire movie, including the songs. I also love the Boondock Saints.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
Watch movies/TV, read, write…anything, as long as it involves being lazy HAHA!
Thank you so much to Tiffany to letting us pick her brain! Comment below and let us know which department you'd like us to chat with next.
