Peggy Schultz
Office Manager, Chicago Tube & Iron, Romeoville, IL
Life-long learner. Believes listening is key. Prioritizes planning with perspective from the team.
Just before starting her career at Chicago Tube & Iron in April 2014, Peggy Schultz enrolled in courses to further her education. Happily recalling her time as the oldest student in the room, she told her classmates: “It’s never too late to accomplish anything in your life.”
She’s not just telling them that – she’s showing them.
Seven years ago, Peggy started her career at CTI’s Chicago Fabrication/Chicago Power division as an Office Clerk for the Laser and Boiler Department. After one year, she was promoted to Office Manager. Then, after earning her Associate Degree in Accounting, she applied for and accepted the Office Manager position overseeing four divisions – Chicago Distribution, Chicago Fabrication, Chicago Power and Cleveland Distribution.
Peggy loves a challenge and managing four divisions is challenging. It’s also rewarding and exciting to play an integral part in selecting and developing your team. She says, “I started at CTI with experience, but through the process of earning my associate degree, I gained the confidence to step-up and be a leader.”
“Peggy isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves, doing whatever is necessary to get the job done. She is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met,” says Sean Vietti, General Manager at CTI’s Romeoville, IL and Cleveland, OH locations. “She is a positive thinker who always focuses on the success of the entire team – talking through any issue or problem that might arise throughout the day.”
And problems will arise, but Peggy handles those challenges by creating a plan and gathering information from coworkers, mentors and those with more experience. She says, “Don’t make decisions in a bubble – absorb as much information as you can, from as many perspectives as you can.”
Peggy believes your education never really ends. Whether it’s on the job, from those around us or in a classroom, we should always keep learning. Striving for continuous improvement is what helps Peggy reach her goals, remembering to take other people’s advice, listen and learn.
“Listening to others is key,” she emphasizes. “When you’re truly able to listen is when you’ll learn the most.”
