Dana Jenkins
Warehouse Lead, Chicago Tube & Iron, Ankeny, IA
Believes the Company’s success is her own success. Always gives her full attention. Employs a “whatever it takes” attitude to get the job done.
In 1998, Dana Jenkins attended a job fair for Chicago Tube & Iron’s Ankeny, IA division. She was one of 300 applicants, and one of less than 10 people at the event to be offered a job. The division was just getting started and Dana was excited to be part of the group to build it, literally, from the ground up. She says, “I have grown right along with the Company and believe that CTI’s success is my own success.”
As a new facility with new employees, the warehouse team split into small groups for training, then were assigned areas to work. After learning how to do the job in several areas, Dana wanted to do more. She explains, “One day when I was setting up for valves and fittings, I said I could do this…and I did!” After years of establishing herself as a reliable, consistent, hard worker, Dana was promoted to first shift Warehouse Lead in 2016. In this role, she’s expanding her skills from warehouse to administrative.
Dana’s proud to work at Chicago Tube & Iron. In fact, getting hired and becoming a Warehouse Lead are her two proudest moments. She wears CTI jewelry to remind her of what she’s accomplished and who has helped her along the way.
Ron Adkison, General Manager, and Dale Kunert, Logistics Manager, are Dana’s mentors who have supported her career and development. Dana explains, “Ron is amazing. He teaches me and helps me, guiding me through resolving issues and learning as much as I possibly can. Dale is organized and never forgets anything; he’s taught me how important it is to pay attention to the details.”
Dana has learned a lot in her nearly 25-year career with CTI, and she says the people she works with are the reason she’s happy to go to work each day. “I just love the vibe that I get from my colleagues. They show me so much love and make me feel good,” Dana reflects.
Whatever Dana starts, she is determined to finish. That can be a challenge when you’re dealing with fluctuating demands within a warehouse that often change your course. Dana sets goals every day to help balance the challenges with what she can control. “I give my full attention to whatever I’m doing,” she explains.
Ron Adkison agrees and adds, “Dana is hardworking in everything she does and has a “whatever it takes” attitude. She accepts responsibility for her objectives, leads and supports other employees, and is open to new ideas.”
Dana is the go-to person for so many of her co-workers. She’s helpful and friendly and offers this advice on how to build a long, successful career: “Give your full attention, be present each day, be reliable and never stop learning.”
