Staff Spotlight January 2021
Inroads would like to introduce you to Michael McCrea, Production Manager at Inroads to Opportunities.
“I have been working at Inroads to Opportunities since 2015, and these years have been 5 fantastic, generation changing, marvelous years. I am very happy to be here.”
Tell us about your journey at Inroads to Opportunities?
I started at Inroads to Opportunities as Operation Manager in July 2015. Being new and in a different type of atmosphere, I had to learn a lot of things, but I knew this place had a lot of love in it, so it helped me to be dedicated to what I do. Now we are to the point that we are running as a “smooth oil machine”.
What are the challenges as Production Manager at Inroads?
My biggest challenge is to keep everyone focused, especially when dealing with our supervisors, which they have people that have to QC, and keep focused on what’s going on around them. My job is to make sure they are in the best possible situation to allow themselves to always stay focused. I am here as support to everybody.
What was your best day of work here over the last 5 years?
I am going to say that “My best day is going to be the next day”. Every time I come here there are always new challenges, and I love to come here and battle those things. Make people better, make people smile, make them comfortable is what encourages me to keep coming every day.
What is something that can only happen at Inroads?
At Inroads we try to bring a lot of good vibes, and SMILING is the reason that allows people to have good vibes. Everyone here is smiling. When it’s raining, snowing, whether is Monday or Friday. At Inroads you will always get a smile, you will always get a “good morning”, no matter what the situation is.
In 2020, we went from having 250 program participants, to having 25 staff members, to having temps doing the production. What has 2020 been like in your perspective?
I feel like this year was like “being on a boat with bumpy waters”. You know the storm is coming and the only thing that you can do is buckle down and just keep heading forward. We all came together as a team, work hard, take those orders and try to keep ourselves outstanding.
What does Inroads look like to you in 5 years from now?
Everyone here has a plan, whether you are here to develop to find work outside, whether you are here to help someone find work outside, whether you are here to develop the skills that you currently have pending to go somewhere. People will get better over the years, we will have more things to getting involved to. Wider horizon, more new jobs.
Who is Michael McCrea in 3 words?
Energetic, encouraging and leader