Q&A Session With MHI Mentor Award Winner Chris Glenn

By Laurie Walker, MHI Senior Membership Coordinator

Each year, MHI member companies have the opportunity to submit their employees for the MHI Mentor Award.  We were proud to announce Chris Glenn at MODEX 2016 as the winner of the 2016 Mentor Award. Recently we caught up with Chris and learned more about him through a Q&A Session.

Chris Glenn headshotsmChris Glenn
Hytrol Conveyor Company
Winner of the MHI Mentor Award 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have been in sheet metal manufacturing for over 22 years, and have spent the last 9 in the material handling industry. I have had the opportunity to work in manufacturing, engineering, quality, and marketing during my career. I hold a BS in Manufacturing/Industrial Technology from Arkansas State University.

What position do you currently hold at Hytrol?

I am currently the VP of Manufacturing and Engineering Operations for Hytrol Conveyor Company.

When you were first beginning your career, did you have a leader or mentor that helped to guide you through the start of your career?  What type of impact did they have on you?

I was very fortunate to have several leaders take an interest in mentoring me early in my career. I started working on the shop floor, and I had the opportunity to work with some seasoned supervisors who were willing to share their knowledge with me. This taught me its important to develop relationships and to nurture them to be successful.

With your involvement in Leadership Jonesboro, the high school STEM program and mentoring young professionals at Hytrol, what is the best advice that you can offer to a young professional starting a career in supply chain and material handling?

Be eager to learn from those leaders and mentors in the company. Still be a great thinker, but listen to those that can help you. It will make all the difference later in your career, and will help you move further than you would be able to otherwise.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

The MHI YPN Mentor award is at the top for me. I was very humbled by the nomination, and even more so by the letters that were written in my behalf. I work hard to build relationships, and this award helps me know that it is benefitting others.

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Submissions for the Mentor Award are accepted at the start of each year, with the winners being announced at ProMat.

The Mentor Award is awarded to an MHI member who offers professional guidance, is a positive and inspiring role model, instills and nurtures talent, advocates for employees and supports their professional development.

If you know of someone that would be a candidate, be on the lookout for submission forms in January or check back on the MHI Young Professionals Network webpage.  For questions, please contact the MHI membership team.

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