Maria Chavez: FAMCO’s Employee of the Month
This month, we shine the spotlight on a dedicated, skilled, and humble member of the FAMCO family, Maria Chavez. Maria recently celebrated her 4-year anniversary with FAMCO, and her commitment and passion continue to inspire everyone she works with, leading them to nominate her for Employee of the Month.
Maria serves as an Assembler in the JVO cell, where she helps build products from start to finish. Her days may look routine to some, but to Maria, it’s a rhythm she’s come to love. “This isn’t work to me anymore, it’s a part of my life” she shares.
Her love for the job is clear when she talks about assembling attic vents, which she finds deeply satisfying. “It’s amazing to see how pieces come together to make something useful,” she says. Maria doesn’t hesitate when the line is busy, she thrives, explaining “Having a busy day excites me and helps make the day go by faster”.
Maria started in the JVO cell but has expanded her reach across various cells including motorized dampers, J Vents, and butterfly dampers. Her ability to recall product builds even after months apart speaks volumes about her dedication and attention to detail. While she still has a strong passion for working in the JVO cell, Maria takes pride in her ability to build something new and retain the knowledge quickly.
When asked why she thinks she was selected as Employee of the Month, she brings the attention to her teammates. “It’s a team effort. Everyone deserves this award. I’m proud of my accomplishment, but I know I would not be here if my team didn’t support me. It could have been any one of us and I would have been happy.”
Miguel, FAMCO’s Manufacturing Manager, shared why Maria stood out: “She shows up every day with a great attitude. She’s someone we can trust to do a good job. She’s a light to her teammates and everyone appreciates her.” In fact, Maria was nominated by both leaders and peers, a testament to the impact she makes.
Despite thinking about retirement, Maria still sees herself coming in to help. “I like working. I don’t think I could be home all day,” she says. She finds deep satisfaction in the collaborative environment at FAMCO, where teammates shift roles fluidly to help each other meet the day’s goals.
“Teamwork means collaborating, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other,” Maria explains. “At the end of the day, when we’re finishing a pallet, we all jump in and help wherever it is needed. No one sticks to ‘their job’. That’s what makes me proud.”
Outside of work, Maria loves to paint, a passion that began over 40 years ago. Her favorite subjects to paint are landscapes like mountains and water, and she’s especially good at painting comic characters like Mickey Mouse. “I’m not great at people yet,” she admits, “but maybe one day.”
To those starting at FAMCO, Maria offers simple but powerful advice: “Trust your team leaders. Follow the safety rules as they are for your own good. Work as a team, and success will follow.” She believes in top-down leadership that trickles through the company. From owners to employees, united by shared values and mutual respect. Maria stands by the FAMCO family value of “putting the employee first”. She shares, “that is what keeps me here. I feel valued. Not just as a worker, but as a person.”
Please join us in congratulating Maria Chavez on her achievement as June’s Employee of the Month! A remarkable example of teamwork, integrity, and dedication. FAMCO is proud to have you!
