Position: Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Tenure: 3 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
The creativity that goes into being a part of marketing. I think every member of our team is pretty creative.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Innovative because the company is always constantly innovating to develop new and better products.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Some of my hobbies include drawing and painting, swimming and going to concerts.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The thing that makes me proud to work for YKK AP is the fact that they are good to their employees.
What’s one item that you cannot live without? and why
My computer, or else I would not be able to do most of my job.
Jeffery Fulford
Position: Manager, Regional Operations
Tenure: 21 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
Their team attitude and their passion to improve each day. This is challenging on occasion, however in adversity their passion remains constant.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Quality, It sounds cliche', but I really feel our entire organization strives for a high quality approach in how we approach our associates, customers, and our communities.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Spending time with Family/Friends, going to UGA Sports, Golf.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The passion of the overall workforce to in the pursuit of greatness in every action.
What’s one item that you cannot live without? and why
I hate to say it...Cell Phone, because in this age this is my calendar, source of news, and chief communication method.
**oh gosh ..I am that guy I swore I would never be :)
Position: Fabrication Technician I
Tenure: 6 Years
What is your favorite thing about your team?
That at the end of the work day everything is accounted for and our work has been completed.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America Inc, and why?
Seasons. It just seems like this job changes like the weather.
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
I love to travel.
What makes you proud to work at YKK AP?
The company culture is family oriented.
What’s one item that you cannot live without and why?
Coffee. especially first thing in the morning. Helps keep me calm.
Brittany Howard
Position: Environmental Engineer
Tenure: 5 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
A few things come to mind when thinking about success at YKK AP. In my 5 years here, I have found that coming to work everyday with a positive and friendly disposition is key. Building relationships with your co-workers and having a genuine interest in how people are doing are important. Also, I have learned that accepting a challenge head on and with a problem-solving mindset will get you much farther. I look back at my 5 years here and think about how much I have learned. It is incredible to think about the knowledge I will have gained when I look back at 20+ years!
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
Determination
No matter what kind of ups and downs YKK AP has encountered this organization and the people here are always determined. Whether it be determined to be better, determined to overcome a hurdle in their path, or determined to start a new project. I believe that this determination comes from the Core Value of Do not fear failure. Experience builds success.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
Ask me next year or in another 5 years and this answer would have changed. Working in the Environmental Department you must be very adaptable and come to work ready for anything! I would say there have been many accomplishments so far in my career, but if I had to name a few they would be: learning the importance of and implementing systems in my weekly routines, understanding YKK AP’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and feeling confident to manage it, and feeling knowledgeable enough to give presentations to many different levels of YKK AP employees including new hires and V.Ps.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
This is a very hard question! I love food and really love cooking food! It would have to be either Italian or Mexican. I love making homemade pizzas and quesadillas. I love the variety you can create from both of those! I have tried so many different combinations! Did you know broccoli is great in a quesadilla and on a pizza?
Describe YKK AP in 3 words.
Security, Family, Growth
Toby Gould
Position: Vice President (VP) of Finance
Tenure: 8 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
Aside from having the necessary skill sets to perform your specific job, I would say it takes a desire to meet the needs of our customers whether internal or external, be a supportive team member for your fellow YKK AP employees and a concern/care for our communities will propel you at YKK AP America.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?
Stewardship – We have the great fortune to follow in the legacy of our founder and the leaders he groomed. We benefit greatly from this legacy both professionally and personally by being an employee of YKK AP America. It is not only our duty but it’s our honor to maintain and/or improve this legacy.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
Representing YKK AP America as a mentor for the First Robotics program at Dublin High School for 4 years (2016 – 2020), I not only got the pleasure of witnessing these students grow in their abilities to build a robot, but also to grow into respectable members of our community. A chance meeting of one of these students in Dublin is one of my greatest pleasures seeing them now as an adult member of our community.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta with marinara sauce.
Describe YKK AP America Inc. in three words ?
Cycle of Goodness.
Position: Caustic Operator in Die Correction
Tenure: 3 Years
What would you say it takes to be successful here at YKK AP America Inc.?
It takes communication and hard work to be successful at YKK AP.
What’s the one word you would choose to describe YKK AP America, and why?.
Professional. It is how everyone handles their job and how their jobs are important to them.
What is your greatest accomplishment at YKK AP America Inc.?
I’m a hard worker and would love to say that being able to retire from YKK would be my greatest accomplishment.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to choose, I would say hamburgers and French fries is what I could eat for the rest of my life.
Describe YKK AP in three words?
Professional, Important, Long-lasting.
Position: Director of Branch Sales
Tenure: 6 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
Culture at YKK AP is unique from any of my past experiences in that we not only advertise treating people with respect, we live it daily. Inherently humans have different viewpoints and perspectives, your voice is heard within YKK AP America and you are treated like a person, not a number. The Cycle of Goodness and our Fundamental Behaviors exist within the fabric of our daily business.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Interacting with our branch leaders, sales team, manufacturing group as well as executive leaders in forming strategies to be the preferred choice when it comes to fenestration options.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Being appreciated, as well as having a voice in the direction we are headed as a company.
Evan Bailey
Position: Fabrication Technician IV, MegaTherm
Tenure: 2 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
Very friendly place to work. A lot of foot traffic on the floor and the people I passby are always acknowledging each other and saying hello. I always feel like we are all in this together.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day consists of looking forward at the next day to see what orders take priority and running as much material as possible to ensure all deadlines are met and the customers are happy getting their material on time.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of my job is knowing I helped make quality materials that the customer will be satisfied with and met the deadlines so they get what they need when they need it. “It's the little things that matter”.
Richard Dixon
Position: Manufacturing Plant Manager
Tenure: 18 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
During my tenure, I have witnessed a significant transformation within the Fabrication Plant as well as YKK AP on the enterprise level. The “Cycle of Goodness,” along with our 25 Fundamental Behaviors are at the core of my professional growth as well as our company’s overall prosperity.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day would include a review of the previous day’s production including overall performance and issues along with planning for future production days. Our plan is established and adjustments are made to achieve the best performance with our team. We conduct thorough reviews of safety, quality, and production requirements. We communicate throughout our teams so that everyone has the appropriate information so they can be successful and accomplish our objectives.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Relationships created within our team. They create the avenue for all of our YKK AP family to be successful. When we see our employees succeed, it is a great feeling.
John Spelman
Position: Architectural Sales Rep
Tenure: 6.5 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
As an employee I feel a great deal of trust and respect. I'm allowed the opportunity to succeed (or fail) while trying new strategies. That level of respect extends to our customers and YKK AP is also very active in our communities. This is known internally as "The Cycle of Goodness" and it's about providing value and being fair. Representing a company that cares about these things makes my job much more positive and pleasant.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Some days I'll meet with architects and designers to review glazing on new projects. Some days I'll meet with glazing contractors to educate them on our products or processes. Some days I'll visit job sites to review installation of our product. And some days might include all of the above.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Being able to show my children a finished project that I was involved with from the schematic stage all the way through construction.
Tewei Kung
Position: Associate Product Development Engineer
Tenure: 4 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
YKK AP employees are proud to be a part of YKK AP and people respect each other no matter where you are from and what you do. Management listens to not only good ideas, but also employee’s needs. YKK AP really ties the relationship between employees.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I am a support role for many different areas, I help the process with custom jobs and engineering changes. I manage our product guide and Y-View, our electronic part catalog. I also run other projects. I never have a typical day. My day depends on what requests come in and it never gets boring.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I don’t directly deal with external customers, but when I develop something or and idea and other employees say, “This is exactly what I need!” or “Why did we not have this before?” I feel like I am part of the success of where we are today and I also gain the desire to keep seeking for improvement.
Charlyne Teemer
Position: Fleet, Travel & Expense Administrator
Tenure: 5 years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
YKK AP culture is like no other that I’ve worked in – though it has been challenging in some ways, I have been entrusted to grow my roles and make them my own. As expected, there are obstacles, but with the support of your team, you learn how to tackle them head on.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My role is overseeing our YKK AP Fleet, Travel & Expenses program. A typical day varies, I can be busy answering calls assisting people with questions regarding fleet or expenses, attending virtual meetings, designing, updating, and implementing policies and procedures. I don’t have a lot of face-to-face interaction with my clients, mostly via e-mail, virtual meeting & phone conversation is where I develop my relationships.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Assisting my colleagues with any arising issue/concerns – learning how to manage the challenges of this newly created role within our organization. Being able to be open minded in learning new tasks.
Nancy Martinez
Position: Project Estimator
Tenure: 2 Years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
I embrace the collaboration and transparency in the workplace at YKK AP. In my opinion, YKK AP company culture mirrors my personal values and principles. I have incorporated the 25 Fundamental Behaviors into my personal and professional life.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me as an estimator would be to determine current project scope of work by thoroughly analyzing blueprints and specifications provided by our customers. After identifying and confirming scope of work with customer, I then move on to pricing material/preparing official scope proposal for customer.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
To name a few, the most rewarding part of my job is that it educates me, challenges me, engages me, nurtures me, inspires me, and empowers me on daily basis. I am proud and beyond blessed to be part of this YKK AP family.
Hiroshi Sano
Position: Plant Manager
Tenure: 33 Years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
YKK was founded in Japan in 1934, and "YKK AP America Inc." was born in 1991. Currently, the YKK Group operates in 72 countries around the world based on the corporate philosophy of the "Cycle of Goodness". In other words, it is a wonderful idea that there is no reflection of oneself without trying to benefit others.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Currently, my job has changed to manager, monitoring the daily situation of the factory and thinking about the future of the factory. I used to be an engineer. Ever since I was a kid, I longed to be an engineer and my dream came true.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
As a manager, I have to take responsibility whether the result is good or bad. I always hope for good results if possible, but not always. I am very happy when all the staff comes together to overcome the difficult situation.
Brian Goss
Position: Material Handler
Tenure: 5 Years
How would you describe the culture at YKK AP?
Culture is directly related to people’s values, beliefs, and personal interests. I have found that at other companies there were not a lot of opportunities that allowed us to interact with each other and allow us to build on a culture that is inclusive. YKK AP lets you explore that cultural identity.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day is determined by the days’ work blueprint. For example, it could be a day for cycle counting, unloading a vendor’s truck, issuing to and/or releasing inventory, in addition to ad hoc occurrences associated with satisfying both internal and external customer requests.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is to know that I have given 100% in response to my internal and external customers’ needs.
