A Conversation with...Charissa Kobyluck

PF: Describe your responsibilities as a quality manager.

CK: I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of all support and inspection functions including customer service, racking, masking, inspection, shipping, training, testing, audits, contract review and document control. I supervise an outstanding team of 11 inspection and support personnel.

PF: How difficult is it to achieve vendor status?

CK: If you provide high-quality products and excellent customer service, it is actually not very difficult to achieve vendor status. You absolutely must have quality controls that are repeatable and verifiable, and you have to be able to prove that you actually do what you say you do. Also, it may seem like a small concern, but someone should always be available to answer the phone. I hear often from our customers that they appreciate our availability and responsiveness and that it separates us from our competition.

Charissa Kobyluck is the quality manager at Coating Technologies in Phoenix, AZ.

PF: You volunteer with Girl Scouts, sports leagues, etc. How do you find time to balance work and home?

CK: The key to balancing my work and home life is to have a plan, stay organized and trust in my support system for help when I need it. I use my Google calendar and set reminders for everything. I also make it a priority to carve out some time for myself. It is completely necessary to give my brain and body time to relax and recuperate. In a time management class I took many years ago, the trainer said that taking time out for you would help to increase productivity and concentration and bring a sense of balance and self-awareness. I took that to heart and found it to be absolutely true.

PF: What’s the best piece of advice you were given?

CK: I have been lucky to have had some amazing mentors in my life. Choosing one piece of advice is not easy, but when it comes down to it the most important pieces of advice and values were taught by my mother. When I was a kid she taught my siblings and I to never leave without saying I love you.

PF: What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?

CK: Serving frozen yogurt from a small storefront in a mall. I saw right away that my manager responded well to enthusiasm and praised friendly and fast customer service. I learned quickly that paying attention to detail was extremely important. Even at 15 years old it was clear that “rework” was bad for business profits and customers hated it.

PF: What was your first car, and what is your dream car?

CK: My first car was a beat up Geo Spectrum. My dream car changes often, but right now it is the Lexus LS 460 Sport; it should be red of course.

PF: What did you want to be when you grew up?

CK: An elementary school teacher.

PF: With whom would you trade jobs for a day?

CK: A musician. I have always enjoyed singing songs of all kinds. I would love to experience singing in front of a crowd of 50,000 people. I can just imagine the adrenaline rush musicians must feel.

PF: Where would we find you on a typical Saturday?

CK: For most of the year I am likely to be at one of my daughter’s volleyball games or my son’s baseball games. The end of summer is a little more relaxed though. I might be shopping, in the pool or at a family barbeque.

PF: Personal heroes?

CK: My Dad. He’s shown me the value of hard work, was tough on me when I needed it, has always had faith in me and gives the most amazing hugs.

Get to Know Charissa

Family: Mother Robin, Father Ed; Husband Phil; Children Taylor and Mackenzie
Favorite hobby: Reading and watching my kids play sports
Favorite movie: 50 First Dates
Favorite book: The entire Harry Potter series
What’s playing in your car CD/radio: 311, Sublime, Bob Marley

Originally published in the October 2016 issue.