Linetec People to Know: Cara Bahlow

CaraB-(2)-webQ:  Tell me about your job
A:  I am the Quality Engineer for the paint facility. This year, I will celebrate my 10-year anniversary with Linetec.  My responsibilities include supervising the Quality Assurance department, reviewing customer specifications and working with customers to understand their quality expectations, managing customer concerns and returns, corrective actions, maintaining certifications, and providing requests for documentation such as test reports and certificates of analysis.  I relay customers’ needs internally to ensure that we are providing the quality finish that our customers are expecting.
Q: What did you do prior to Linetec?
A: Prior to Linetec I worked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a global adhesive corporation specializing in the distribution of specialty chemicals and equipment. I spent eight years as the Quality Manager for two divisions that offered custom packaging for a variety of materials and developed custom-formulated products.  I enjoyed my job thoroughly, but was excited for the opportunity to return to Wausau with my young family so we could spend a lot of time with our extended family. Linetec was the perfect fit!  Often people tease me that I went from watching glue dry to watching paint dry!
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A:  My favorite part of my job, as well as the biggest challenge of my job, is the fast paced nature of the production environment.  In quality you can never have a plan for the day because you do not know what challenges the day will bring.  I really like visiting customers and working through customer audits to understand how they use our services and what end application their product has.  I also like helping and watching employees grow into experienced, confident employees who are proud of their work and what Linetec has to offer.
Q: What is the biggest change you’ve seen over the years of doing your job?
A:  The biggest change I’ve seen in my job is the evolvement of Linetec’s quality program and that of our customers.  Many of our customers use instrumentation in their receiving and quality inspection.  Our employees, the data we maintain, and the testing and procedures that we have in place have advanced significantly over the years.  Customer requests that once seemed an impossibility have now become standard procedure.  I am proud of what we’ve accomplished; the Linetec team has never been stronger!
Q:  What is something you are looking forward to?
A:  At Linetec I look forward to the growth our new product offerings.  There are some very exciting finishes I can’t wait to see more of on our paint line!  Personally, I look forward to family vacations and every moment spent together making memories as a family.
CaraB-(3)-webQ:  What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A:  Outside of work, my husband and I enjoy cheering our 14-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter on in their activities – whether it is on a football field, dance studio or one of their many Scouting adventures.  I’ve been a Girl Scout leader and a Sunday School teacher for many years. I love seeing that look on a child’s face when they’ve learned something new or mastered a new skill.  I hope I’ve influenced them positively and someday they’ll remember these moments with a smile.  I love singing for our church and participating in the church choir.  I enjoy swimming, figure skating and playing tennis.  My favorite place to be is our family cabin in Tomahawk, Wisconsin – boating, fishing, swimming, campfires and ice cream.  It has been a very special part of my life since I was a young child.  There is no place that I would rather be!
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