Tag Archives: Maintenance

Employee Stories: Ofelia and Melody, Production Lead and Technician

Ofelia and her daughter Melody stand in front of the CCA

This Mother’s Day, We’re Highlighting a Special Mother-Daughter Story

Ofelia immigrated to the United States from Michoacán, Mexico, at around 15 years old. Her family lived in San Diego for three years before settling in Burlington, Washington, where she finished high school. Her early work life was hands-on jobs, from nurseries to canning plants to crafting windchimes. A friend who worked at Janicki told her about a job opening and urged her to apply.

In November 2003, Ofelia joined the company at the Highway 20 facilities, sanding and finishing tooling. When the Hamilton Building 5 manufacturing plant opened, she transitioned to a mold fabrication role and steadily advanced her skills. Today, she’s a seasoned production lead who oversees a team responsible for laying up and processing composite aerospace parts, a role she has proudly held for two decades.

“My favorite part about layup is that you have to be so conscious about what you do,” says Ofelia. “And then get to see the finished product out on the floor that you made, and that is just so good.”

Melody lays up carbon fiber prepreg onto a toolA Familiar Future

For several years, Ofelia encouraged her daughter, Melody, to apply for a job with Janicki.

“When I was a kid, I would always say I was going to go work at Janicki with my mom. And then I got older and went on my own way, but my mom convinced me to give it a go,” Melody says.

In January, Melody joined the team as a production technician after working in hospitality and customer service jobs, where growth opportunities were limited. She’s been learning the ropes of the Building 9 CCA, laying up aerospace composite parts. She’s especially drawn to the more intricate pieces and is eager to explore other areas of the company in time.

“I always tell my daughter, just don’t get stuck,” says Ofelia. “This company has so many things to learn and grow with. Keep climbing.”

While Ofelia and Melody carpool to work, they’re stationed in different cells. Still, they remain connected through their shared passion for craftsmanship and camaraderie. Both say their favorite part about working at Janicki is the people. Melody works alongside many of her mother’s first coworkers in Building 9. Ofelia is known for spreading cheer with gifts like plants and chocolates on holidays, including Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, a tradition Melody has started helping with.

A Celebrated Bond

At home, Ofelia cares for her 88-year-old mother, also named Ofelia. Together, they attend church every Sunday and enjoy peaceful walks. Melody spends her free time at the gym, playing video games and exploring art projects like painting and crafting.

For this mother-daughter duo, family time is central, whether it’s cooking together or simply sharing the small joys of life. Melody and Ofelia’s specialty dish is chile rellenos, where Melody expertly fluffs the egg whites and folds in the yolks. This Mother’s Day, they plan to celebrate together as mother, grandmother, and daughter at a family gathering, a fitting tribute to the multi-generational bond.

Interested in joining our production team? Check out our Job Openings.

Employee Stories: Patrick, Facilities Maintenance Technician

Patrick fixes a crane standing on a scissor lift

A Unique Career Progression

Born and raised in the small town of Delta, Utah, Patrick discovered a passion for working with his hands. At 17, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1996 to 2003 as a mortarman in a light reconnaissance unit.

“I enjoyed my time in the Marines,” he says. “You basically have another family. I still keep in touch with some of those people after all these years.”

While serving, Patrick took up taekwondo. That hobby turned into a full-time venture when he opened his own martial arts school. After leaving the service, he continued to teach and operate the school in Tooele, Utah.

Due to life changes, Patrick closed the school and transitioned into a new role. His friends offered him a job running gas lines for an HVAC company near Salt Lake City. After 15 years, Patrick had developed new skills and a passion for fixing things, but the long, demanding hours led to the decision to pursue a career change.

Patrick, a facilities maintenance technician, works on a vacuum fixture

Finding a New Purpose at Janicki

Inspired by his brother, who had worked as a mill technician, Patrick searched for local job opportunities and found an opening at Janicki. Starting as a mill technician, he quickly became known for his ability to troubleshoot and improve equipment. Within six months, he was invited to join the maintenance team.

Now, as a facilities maintenance technician, Patrick’s days are full of variety. From preventive maintenance on mills to repairing forklifts, electrical systems, plumbing and more, he helps keep Janicki’s operations running smoothly.

“The best part of my job is getting to fix and make things more efficient for our techs to do their job better,” he says. “I am given free rein to fix whatever I can.”

One of his largest projects was developing a system to flush and replace vacuum lines for mill fixtures—an essential component that keeps parts in place during milling. He’s also learned new skills like metrology, proving that even with years of experience, there’s always something new to learn.

Beyond the Job

Off the clock, Patrick doesn’t slow down. He runs Ryan’s Resin Creations, a small business that makes resin crafts and 3D-printed items ranging from dragon eggs to custom cutting boards. Many of his coworkers proudly own one-of-a-kind pieces he’s created.

He also enjoys hunting, traveling for deep-sea fishing trips, and spending time with his wife, Julia, and their six children. “They’re growing up and figuring out what they want to do with their lives,” he says with pride.

Interested in joining our Utah team? Check out our Job Openings.