Karen Flanagan works her way up at Okay Industries
Focused under pressure
Karen Flanagan is a quality supervisor with Okay Industries, a company making components for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in medical and automotive markets, among others.
She came to the manufacturing field quite by accident.
Karen Flanagan
Title: Quality supervisor
Company: Okay Industries, New Britain & Berlin
Lives: Southington
Three generations: She has three children and two grandchildren.
During the annual seasonal shutdown in her work in the food-service field, Okay Industries was doing some temporary hiring for data-entry-type work, and she decided to try it. Now, 13 years later, she’s a full-time Okay Industries employee who has worked her way up.
Flanagan began as an entry-level inspector, moving up over the years into her current supervisory role. As it turns out, elements of the industry fit with her personality and skill set.
“I am a multitasker who enjoys learning,” Flanagan said.
Multitasking, as well the abilities to focus under pressure and deliver people skills were strengths she developed in the food-service industry; she found they aided in her success in manufacturing.
Flanagan would love to see more women in the field. She finds inspiration in the abilities of people around her at work.
“It’s amazing to see how things come together,” she said.
Okay Industries’ Marketing Manager Angela Dillon has seen firsthand how Flanagan has risen through the ranks.
“Manufacturing lends itself to opportunity to grow and chart your own path,” Dillon said. “That’s what Karen’s shown.” ◾
