Tri-Tec Industries Recognizes Office Manager for Outstanding Performance
During her first year as Tri-Tec Industries office manager, it’s safe to say Kalee Porter has more than come into her own.
A self-described shy person, Kalee displayed her typical quiet and placid personality when she initially joined the Compass operating company. But now 15 months into her tenure, she’s grown into one of the greatest assets Tri-Tec possesses.
“I’m not much of a talker,” Kalee said. “But being here now for the year, I feel like now I’m not super reserved.
“It’s been nice. It’s a really good work environment here.”
To celebrate her accomplishments, Kalee has been named Compass Precision Employee of the Month for May 2023.
Kalee is the 38th employee, including sixth at Tri-Tec, to receive the Compass Precision Employee of the Month honor. CNC machinist Travis Eudy was the most recent Tri-Tec recipient of the award in October 2022.
Furthermore, Kalee is the third office manager Compass has named its Employee of the Month. Gray Manufacturing’s Donna Campbell and Advanced Machining’s Amanda Przybyszewski received the honor in October 2021 and March 2022, respectively.
The role at Tri-Tec is Kalee’s first at a machine shop. But she had more than eight years of office management experience before joining Compass.
She began her career in office management for her father’s landscaping company – Wainwright’s Lawn Care. That led her to other office management opportunities such as Baucom’s Nursery Company.
More recently, Kalee worked with government contracts at AMS Industries from 2016-21.
In addition to her experience, Kalee is hard working and versatile. Her daily tasks at the Compass operating company include accounting, placing and taking orders, processing, and data entry. She also assists with inventory.
She says her favorite thing to do at Tri-Tec is help every single department.
“I like to be the one person in the office that people can come to for help and know the answer,” Kalee said. “If I can’t, then I can find the information for them.”
Kalee left ASM Industries for the birth of her daughter, Charlotte-Anne, in July 2021. When Kalee decided to return to the labor force, she elected to avoid government work.
She appears to have found the perfect fit with Tri-Tec Industries.
”Most people don’t realize how difficult it is to find the right person for a job like Office Manager,” explained Rick Loyd, Tri-Tec’s President and Kalee’s boss. “This individual needs to do many things well and work productively without constant direction. Kalee has been great from the start. She totally earned her Employee of the Month distinction.”
Living her entire life in North Carolina, Kalee attended Butler High School in Matthews, which is about 25 minutes southeast of Tri-Tec.
Kalee met her husband, Will, in school. They were married four years ago and live in Steele Creek.
Besides their daughter, the couple’s house is a home to a variety of pets, including three dogs – Ellie (boxer), Colt (German shepard mix) and Tucker (great Dane). Kalee and Will have owned all three dogs since they were three weeks old.
In her free time, Kalee likes spending time with her family. She also enjoys performing aerial acrobatics.