Maria is an Electrical Foreman at CRRC with a passion for her job and helping her teammates succeed. Her primary job responsibilities are to ensure her team has an assignment each day and the materials to complete their tasks. She helps to manage the workflow to ensure work is completed on time and passing all necessary inspections while meeting commissioning and continuity deadlines.
With more than 15 years of experience in electrical work, Maria worked in the manufacturing industry focused on locomotives before joining CRRC three years ago. Now she is responsible for a 12 person team.
While at CRRC, Maria has learned a new process and way of assembling railcars. The manufacturing and assembly process differs from company to company. And yet she has found “nothing is impossible.”
While you will often see her moving and on the go on the facility floor, she takes time to answer as many questions as she can from her team. She also assists with training alongside her two team leads. She says one of the most rewarding parts of her job is figuring out how to tackle a new challenge: “I’m a people person – I love to help.”
She gets inspired by the growth of her teammates, especially when they take on new and expanded roles at CRRC.
Her advice for those interested in joining CRRC: “If you want to move up, focus and try to do your best. Ask questions if you are unsure. And always be on time.”
As a Chicago resident, Maria gets to see the impact of her work firsthand. Seeing the 7000 Series railcars in Chicago makes her feel proud of her job.
“I can see what I have been able to build around the city and that makes me happy. I really like what I do.”