By Kimberly Chaussee, General Manager, Stack Metallurgical Services – Portland, OR
If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d one day be running a heat treat facility supporting the aerospace and manufacturing industries, I wouldn’t have believed you.
My journey into this field started in an unlikely place: a martial arts school. For 15 years, I trained, competed, and helped run the school I loved. It taught me discipline, grit, and leadership—skills I didn’t know would later translate into a completely different kind of career.
When I became a single mom of three young kids, my priorities changed. I needed to find a job that would allow me to be home in the evenings while still providing for my family. A close friend referred me to Stack Metallurgical Services for a ground-level position. I didn’t know anything about aerospace or manufacturing—but I was ready to learn.
From day one, I was fascinated. I discovered that heat treating plays a vital role in the integrity of components used in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing applications. The more I learned, the more I wanted to grow. As positions opened up, I took on every challenge I could. Little by little, I worked my way up, and three years ago I became General Manager of our Portland facility.
One highlight of my time at Stack has been leading our Strategic Energy Management (SEM) initiative in partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon. Over the last three years, we’ve saved over 901,703 kWh of electricity—helping reduce our environmental impact while controlling costs for our customers. It’s one way we’re doing our part to build a more sustainable future for the industry.
I’ve also found deep meaning in mentorship. Every year during Manufacturing Month, I love welcoming high school students into our facility for tours. Some return as summer employees. Seeing their eyes light up when they learn about our processes—and recognizing their potential future in the trades—reminds me why this work matters.
Outside the plant, I still stay connected to martial arts. I’m a volunteer instructor at Gracie Technics Jiu Jitsu in Gresham, where I help teach a kids’ class during the week and a women’s class on Sundays. That connection to movement, community, and teaching continues to ground me. And, of course, spending time with my kids—now young adults—is still my favorite way to recharge.
Since I started in this field, I’ve seen positive shifts, especially in diversity and inclusion. When I first began, it was rare to see women in leadership roles in this space. That’s slowly changing, and I’m proud to be part of that progress. I hope my story encourages others—especially women and working parents—to consider careers in aerospace and manufacturing.
The future of our industry excites me. We’re seeing innovation, increased focus on sustainability, and a renewed effort to build strong local talent pipelines. I look forward to continuing to grow, to mentor, and to help shape a workplace where people feel valued and empowered.
Every journey into this field is different—and I’m grateful for where mine has led.
