R&D Machine Office Manager Showcasing Incredible Capacity to Learn
OLDSMAR, FL – March 25, 2025 – At Compass Precision, it’s not always about the skills employees can offer at the start of their tenure. Oftentimes, the best fits are the employees willing to learn.
That has been the case with Lynetta Muske at R&D Machine.
“I didn’t have experience, so I had no idea what I was doing.”
Lynetta began at R&D Machine as a part-time scanning clerk. Her responsibilities, though, quickly grew to answering the phones and organizing files around the office.
Then, despite no previous accounting experience, she began managing accounts payable and receivable for the company.
Her drive to learn accounting served her well. Lynetta took the equivalent of a crash accounting course from Compass CFO Paul Wilhelm.
“He flew down here one time and tried to cram as much as he possibly could into a training session. He had patience and grace with me,” said Lynetta. “He pretty much taught me everything I know. I’m very thankful for that.
“I took notes and created a file called, ‘Accounting for dummies.’ I still add to it to this day.”
Initially, Lynetta was reluctant to assume accounting responsibilities. When previous R&D owner Hilary Whitley asked her if she was interested in managing the operating company’s accounts payable and receivable, Lynetta said no.
But R&D needed someone to step into the role after Hilary sold and stepped away from the company. New Vice President & General Manager Justin Kovscek convinced Lynetta to give it a try.
“I recognized Lynetta’s organizational skills, care for people, as well as passion to do things correctly. Those were key factors in knowing she’d be successful in this role,” Justin said. “She knew exactly how to apply these attributes and then took the initiative to learn what she needed to do the accounting role. She has surpassed expectations.
“Now, R&D wouldn’t know what to do without her.”
Lynetta admitted that it’s been a stressful process at times. But she said she has learned a lot and feels she has gained a good handle on both sides of accounting.
Lynetta also said she enjoys her new responsibilities.
As R&D office manager, Lynetta has taken on a motherhood-type role at the operating company. She’s the first person customers see when they walk through the door. She’s also the person R&D employees go to see if they need something.
“I get called Mama Netta because everyone comes to me for just about everything,” Lynetta said. “I’ve brought dishes in, soap dispensers and dish towels. I try to make it look like home since we spend 40 hours plus a week here.
“If someone has a headache, they come to me for aspirin. Or [medicine for] a cold or cough drops. Whatever. I’ve got it all.”
“I can personally attest to Lynetta’s motherly attributes,” commented Gary Holcomb, Compass’s CEO. “She is my go-to person for whatever I need when I visit R&D. She even booked a great restaurant for a bunch of us once when we were celebrating the completion of an important project. She is terrific.”
Lynetta has extensive knowledge of restaurants in the area because she worked in the industry before joining R&D. She served as a prep cook and server for many years at a restaurant in Safety Harbor, Fla. Lynetta also used to cook for and manage her own food delivery service called, “Food for Friends.”
Lynetta was still working in the restaurant business when she began her part-time work at R&D. When the operating company’s previous owners asked her to move into a full-time position, she stopped working in the food industry altogether.
Lynetta described cooking and food as her passion. But she loves working at R&D.
“I work for a great team of people. Everyone helps everyone,” she said. “The laughter and camaraderie in the office puts a smile on my face.”
In her free time, Lynetta and her husband, Wally, who also now works at R&D in shipping, drive down the Florida coastline most weekends and stop at different places to try new things. The couple also really enjoy paddle boarding.