At FAMCO, great people are the foundation of great work, and this month we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on someone who gives their best every day: Maria Araiza, our Employee of the Month.
Even though Maria has been with FAMCO for just four months, she has already made a significant impact on her team and the warehouse floor. Her positivity, leadership, and willingness to step into a new position with enthusiasm have quickly earned the respect and admiration of those around her.
Maria brings with her an impressive 14+ years of manufacturing leadership experience into her position as Warehouse Team Lead. While working in the shipping department is a new experience for her, what Maria lacks in background she makes up for in drive, initiative, and a genuine passion for working with people.
Her typical day kicks off by preparing and organizing work orders for the coming days, making sure orders are prioritized correctly, and ensuring the right tasks reach the right team members. This is no small task as on a daily basis she must manage full truckload orders, parcel and LTL. She oversees customer-related emails, handles replacement orders, attends daily operation meetings, and keeps communication flowing throughout the warehouse.
When asked what her favorite part of the job is, Maria doesn’t hesitate:
“Working with others, putting a great team together. Giving them motivation. Helping wherever I can.”
She believes a team works best when they are cohesive, working towards the same goal. Whether it’s a warranty issue, a replacement for something damaged in transit, or a standard order, she believes in stepping up and ensuring the customer the service they deserve. She leads with humility, never afraid to ask questions, ready to lend a hand, and constantly keeping the team aligned and on task. Her natural ability to lift others up is one of the many reasons her coworkers enjoy working with her.
When asked why Maria believed she won employee of the month, she pointed back to the hard work she put in. But the story behind that hard work is powerful.
Before joining FAMCO, Maria spent 24 years at her previous job, where despite training new hires across shifts, production lines, and departments, she rarely felt appreciated. Recognition was nonexistent.
That changed the moment she walked through FAMCO’s doors.
“It was great to get that from the beginning. I feel appreciated every day. It’s emotional because coming from another job that lacked appreciation, I feel very blessed to be here.”
Her gratitude, humility, and unexpected joy at receiving Employee of the Month remind us why recognition matters, and why Maria is so deserving of it.
Maria says her favorite part about working at FAMCO goes back to the people. She appreciates the welcoming environment, the benefits, and the sense of unity she feels from day one.
Outside of the warehouse, family is everything to Maria. She has three children and seven grandchildren, spending much of her time outside of work with them, watching soccer games, traveling, and making memories together.
Maria’s leadership, dedication, and kindness shine every single day. We are honored to have her on the FAMCO team and proud to recognize her as our Employee of the Month.
Please join us in congratulating Maria Araiza on this well-deserved achievement!
