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MiMfg Magazine
November 2018
2018 MFG Talent Champion
John Tucker
PTM Corporation
Many of the most special individuals in
manufacturing are the ones who don’t think they
are special at all. They are humble, hardworking,
dedicated and passionate. They give credit to others
far before taking any for themselves. The team at
PTM Corporation in Ira Township has one such
individual; a champion for manufacturing, a
champion for his company and a champion for
a community full of young men and women
seeking an exciting career path.
“We’re blessed to have John Tucker as our
director of human resources; he does so much to make
strides for the needed changes in the community to
support the growth of manufacturing,” said Donna
Russell-Kuhr, the second-generation owner of
PTM Corporation. “His skills have helped lead
our company while his high morals and impeccable
ethic makes it easier for everyone here to do their
job. He makes every person feel valued, feel free to
contribute and feel like part of a family.”
As a leader for nearly 300 workers, John
taught and continues to monitor the PTM Code
of Honor. This code has become the secret sauce
at PTM, empowering each associate and improving
the daily working experience of the team. John
carries that code into the community as a PTM
representative, actively engaging with many
populations to bring awareness of career opportunities
within manufacturing.
“John has been a true advocate for our programs
and students for many years,” said Fran McBride,
assistant director for career and technical education
at St. Clair County RESA. “He works tirelessly to
promote the values of PTM and the manufacturing
industry; to support the next generation of workers
in manufacturing; and through his work, he sets the
example for the rest of the industry in St. Clair County.”
John has developed relationships and participated
in many programs to support an ongoing effort to
maintain and grow manufacturing talent. He is
active with the Economic Development Alliance of
St. Clair County, participates with the Eastern
Michigan Manufacturing Association, helps
coordinate PTM’s MFG Day events, partners with
St. Clair County Community College and Macomb
Community College and is a popular speaker who
regularly travels the community in support of
manufacturing career paths.
“Manufacturing has evolved,” explained Russel-
Kuhr. “We need to work with our educators to
help prepare the next generation to take on the
new challenges in the industry. We need to support
and inform administrators, teachers and counselors
so they have a realistic and positive view of the
opportunities available. There is a talent shortage
and John works with educators and students to push
for opportunities to incorporate the curriculum
necessary to counter this.”
John considers himself a coach for change and
even the phrasing is something he cares deeply about.
“The term ‘manager’ is archaic in manufacturing —
we’re all coaches, we’re all mentors; you’re either
an energy giver or an energy taker,” Tucker says.
“In everything I do, when it comes to my team, to
my peers, to the students and teachers and parents
I talk to, I aim to be an energy giver. It’s about
motivating them, fueling them to see what you
see in them and to build them up to be better
tomorrow than they were yesterday.”
Communication starts with listening and the
work John does requires a lot of it. A man driven
by his faith, John knows the importance of being
open to the needs of others, about hearing what
they need and what they dream to be.
“Whatever profession a person chooses, if they
don’t feel valued or happy coming into work each
day, they are not staying. John works from day
one to show them they have value and a purpose
here and that our company is better because they
work here,” explained Russell-Kuhr. “John is a
man of great integrity. In a time where finding
and retaining a skilled workforce is crucial, we
are so fortunate to have someone like John Tucker
to act as our industry’s champion.”
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