Elidia Vazquez
Process Engineering Manager, CTI, Romeoville, IL
Driven by results. Focused on the entire team. Believes a job well-done will always be noticed.
Elidia Vazquez began her career at Chicago Tube & Iron’s Corporate office in Romeoville, IL in January 1997 as the Valve and Fitting Secretary. (Fun Fact: Elidia filled this position after our previously featured employee, Sue Mackowiak, was promoted!) In 1999, Elidia was promoted to Inside Sales and earned her associate degree in Computer-Aided Design (CAD). After almost 10 years in Inside Sales, she moved to the Power Division (then Boiler Tube Fab) in 2008. In 2012, she went back to Inside Sales for a few months, then moved to New Parts Coordinator. In 2017, she was promoted to her current role, Process Engineering Manager.
“Moving around gave me experience in a little bit of everything,” says Elidia. “My varied background gives me a better understanding of different parts of our business, including the challenges some departments face. So, I use that familiarity to anticipate and adjust as needed.”
Steve West, Vice President of Engineered Products, says, “Elidia has held many key roles over the years and she has excelled at each one. She interacts with all CTI internal departments and external customers on a daily basis. She is always polite and professional as she works with complex and technical issues. She never loses sight of the customers’ needs and has built a reputation as being a problem solver.”
In nearly 27 years, Elidia has a lot to be proud of and her participation in CTI’s Centennial celebration tops the list. She explains, “It was a weekend of celebration for employees, families, customers and vendors. I was a tour guide who walked many people through our plant. I also helped design the business card holder giveaway and worked on the aerial layout for the 100th year photo – we formed a giant 100 using all of the families in attendance!”
Elidia puts a lot into her career, whether it’s getting involved in events, learning a new role or continuing her education. She credits the help of CTI’s Tuition Reimbursement program for making it possible for her to earn an associate degree (mentioned above) and bachelor degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Management and Business. She also credits the CTI Mentor Program that paired her with a member of the Leadership Team early in her career. The program encourages quarterly interactions between mentor and mentee that help develop a better understanding of the business.
“Knowing that I work for a company that truly cares about their employees makes me happy to come to work each day,” Elidia says. She is also inspired by her team and their consistent dedication to improving every day.
Elidia looks forward to contributing to the growth of the Fabrication Department and the growth of employees through her role as a mentor in the CTI Mentor Program that helped her many years ago. As a current employee or someone just getting started in the metals industry, Elidia offers this advice: “Work hard, be patient and don’t leave work for another day when it can be taken care of today.”
