Susan Richardson's Military Service Built Career-Defining Values

For Susan Richardson, a career at Gentex was a natural fit, built on a foundation of discipline, teamwork, and excellence. Raised in Pullman, Michigan, she developed strong values early on, which were further shaped through extracurricular activities at Bloomingdale High School. However, it was her years of service in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany, Fort Polk, and Fort Jackson that truly defined her work ethic, leadership, and technical problem-solving skills.

After earning a degree in Electronics Engineering, she joined Gentex as a Technical Team Leader, ensuring manufacturing processes run smoothly and products meet high standards.

My military service instilled values like integrity, respect, commitment, and discipline. These have helped me build trust and credibility in my professional career.

“Being able to solve problems, analyze data, and improve processes is rewarding,” she shared. “But my favorite part is collaborating with different teams across production lines.”

Her day begins with a morning Obeya meeting, followed by checking emails and voicemails for urgent quality issues. The rest of the day involves working directly on the production floor, observing processes, and collaborating with engineers and department managers to address quality concerns.

She describes her role simply: “Quality engineers are like detectives in manufacturing—we investigate defects, find root causes, and implement solutions to ensure top-quality products.”

Susan credits Gentex’s supportive culture for her smooth transition into the corporate world. “It feels like a family,” she said. “The company emphasizes work-life balance, employee well-being, and continuous innovation. Plus, Gentex actively supports veterans and women in the workplace, making me feel valued and appreciated.”

For those considering a career at Gentex, Susan offers this advice: “Seek new challenges. Volunteer for high-impact projects, shadow different teams, and develop new skills. Most importantly, build relationships networking within the company can open doors to exciting opportunities.”

Her journey from military service back to her home state and into a thriving career at Gentex is a testament to dedication, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

Susan Richardson’s Military Service Built Career-Defining Values