Linda Allen

Profile of Team Member – Linda Allen

“Building an exceptional company is the result of building exceptional teams with exceptional people.”

Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the mobility industry, has been and continues to be a successful company because of our exceptional team.  Today, we will introduce one of these exceptional people, Linda Allen, as we continue a series of articles profiling our team members.

Name: Linda Allen

Current Position: Material Handler

Other Positions Held: Production Assistant (Temp)

Date of Hire: 10/12/2020

What is your favorite story or memory during your time working at Team 1?
Linda did not have a particular story or memory, but rather wanted to focus on her sense of accomplishment in her position as Material Handler at Team 1.  Describing the physical work that goes into being a Material Handler, she said that “being a small female in this work – I felt underestimated at first.  When they saw I could do the job, I earned respect from ‘the guys.’”  Linda went on to explain that she even doubted herself at first, when she was encouraged by her coworker Carlos Cisneros to take the training as a Material Handler.  “It is a busy position that is responsible for everything in the plant.  There is so much that goes into this position, and I wasn’t sure I could do it all.”  Being a Production Assistant temp for only three weeks prior to training as a Material Handler, Linda has been proud of her accomplishment to excel at a position that requires such a high level of leadership, communication, and attention to detail.

How has Team 1 helped your personal and/or professional development?
Linda was happy to answer that her mother, late father, and stepfather have all worked at Team 1 Plastics.  “Team 1 is in my genes.  It is in my bloodline.  It is almost like I was meant to deal with plastic.  They basically raised me and my sister, and now I am raising my kids while at Team 1.”  Feeling like a family tradition, working at Team 1 has allowed Linda a connection to her late father.  As for her professional development, Linda adds, “It has helped me grow up a lot, holding such a serious position.  I am responsible for a lot, and it has helped me mature.”

What is your favorite aspect of working at Team 1?
Linda, again expressing pride in herself, shares confidently, “I like the fact that I can hold my own.  When something is going on, they are coming to me.  I know my position well enough to give help when needed, stay busy, and feel like a leader.”  For example, when another team member wants to train in the Material Handler position, Linda is the person in charge of that training.

What do you want to share about your life outside of Team 1?
Although her life outside of Team 1 is self-described as “kind of a boring, simple life,” her hands are full with two children.  Linda’s daughter will be 13 years old soon and the idea of raising a teenage girl makes her nervous.  “I have raised a teenage boy, but this raising a teenage girl stuff is all new to me.”  Her son is 18, graduated last year, and is currently preparing for college in the Spring.  Linda also really appreciates time spent with her kids at her mother’s home where she enjoys the “country, peaceful life where the kids love to hunt, fish and ride quads.”  In their spare time, her family enjoys watching the television series Chicago PD, where they practice their case-solving skills.

Do you have any advice and/or encouragement for future Team 1 team members?
“Don’t doubt yourself.  You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”  Reiterating her lack of confidence when she started at Team 1, she was quick to say that she doubted herself.  If it were not for the motivation from her team member Carlos to try something new, she might never have attempted the Material Handler training.  Now, she cannot wait to show others what she can do.  “I am little, but I am mighty!”

Now for a totally random question:
What was the make and model of your first car?
After thinking for a moment, Linda remembers her first car as a grey Chevrolet Chevette, similar to the one pictured here.