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On Monday, March 29, 2021
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Q&As with Lindsey Newcomb
What was your background prior to marketing at Advanced Heat Treat Corp. (AHT)?
I have been in sales and marketing for all of my professional career, starting in sales/marketing at a casino and then leading the corporate marketing team at an international BPO and data company. I would have never imagined I’d end up working in heat treat/manufacturing, but I love it and am so glad someone recommended the job to me.
RELATED: You can view AHT job openings at www.ahtjobs.com.
You started at AHT in 2018. Tell us about some of your first impressions.
A few of my first thoughts probably included something along these lines:
“Those purple photos aren’t photoshopped?! The purple glow naturally occurs during ion nitriding?! That’s so cool! I’m going to have fun working with this brand.”
“The employees at AHT have been with the company for so long! (That has to be a good sign.)”
“Who would have thought, as a marketing professional, I’d use stuff I learned in high school chemistry?”
What new developments are happening in AHT’s marketing?
With the pandemic, we’ve had to shift our focus to more digital efforts since less in-person events and visits are occurring. So, in February, we rolled out our FIRST WEBINAR. Since then, we’ve held a couple more and received great feedback.
TIP: If you'd like to be invited, sign up for our e-newsletter located in the bottom righthand corner of any ahtcorp.com webpage.
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
When I’m not working (and there’s not a pandemic going on), I love to go to concerts, travel and get outdoors! My goal is to see all 48 continental US states before I turn 40. (I only have a couple more trips left to accomplish that.)
Some of my favorite trips have been backpacking in the Grand Canyon (Havasupai, Arizona); a roadtrip across Oregon with my teenage son, and my trips to Puerto Rico where my grandma was born.
Now that Iceland is allowing Americans to visit again, I'll also need to rebook my trip that was cancelled April 2020.
In your opinion, what makes Advanced Heat Treat Corp. a leader in nitriding?
The amount of technical expertise AHT has is unparalleled. Our employees are extremely loyal – over 40% of them have been here for 10+ years – and that means that our customers get experienced professionals who understand their parts and are there to build a long-term relationship with them.
If people are wanting to make sure they stay up on Advanced Heat Treat Corp.'s latest news, what would you recommend?
I'd recommend the following:
What’s something people may not know about Lindsey Newcomb?
Working with an entertainment agency in the past, I’ve met a wide array of celebrities and had several of them share my social media posts. The list ranges from TruTV’s Impractical Jokers to Rick Springfield to Howie Mandel, the Village People, MANY comedians, Bernie Kopell from "The Love Boat" TV show, several 80s rock bands and more.
I've also worked for a couple music festivals and - believe it or not - did stage security for country artists such as Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi and Chris Janson.
What's something our customers may not know about AHT?
Our sales team is not your typical sales team. They aren’t in it to just make a sale. They want to truly understand your needs and then pair you with the right solution – even if that solution isn’t ours.
Also, they are extremely experienced and educated. They’ve all been at AHT or in heat treat for over 10 years each and some as many as 26 years!
What’s on the horizon for AHT?
We have lots of stuff going on:
• New induction machines that will improve turnaround and increase our size capacity
• A new UltraOx variation, called UltraOx Hyper, which will provide a darker blacker finish (something often desired by firearms manufacturers) and
• We have several employees speaking at the PowderMet conference in June.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
Last year, I was selected for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier’s 20 under 40 award. It was nice to be recognized by my co-workers and peers, and have the support of the non-profit committees/boards I serve.
OR
When AHT won "Business of the Year", "Family Business of the Year" and "Employer of Choice" in the same year. After flying under the radar in the community for so many years, it was really cool to see the company get recognition and have an opportunity to teach the general public about heat treat and how it affects them in their everyday life.
Now, a series of quick random questions:
First Job: Picking strawberries at the age of 14
First Cassette Tape: I bought them at the same time – Madonna’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation”
Where Did You Go to College: I went to Hawkeye Community College for my AA and General Studies; then graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with my BA in Interpersonal Communications & Public Relations.
Favorite Food: Hard choice between street tacos and pizza
Least Favorite Food: Red meat (I haven’t had red meat or pork since I was 13. I gave it up for Lent one year and never went back.)
Sports Team: Minnesota Vikings
Favorite Sport: Football to watch; paddleboarding or boxing for exercise
(Fun Fact: I joined a boxing club when I was 11 years old and competed. I even went to the Junior Olympics for boxing, twice.)
Person Who Has Influenced You: It’s difficult to choose just one. So, I’d say my son who makes me a proud mom everyday, my mom for her strength/leadership traits, my dad for his perseverance and adventurous spirit and my grandma for her passion to live life to the fullest and find enjoyment out of everything.
Organizations You're Involved In: I serve on the board of directors for the non-profit, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. I also am on the Northeast Iowa's Community Foundation's Advancement Oversight Committee and on Hawkeye Community College's Marketing Management Advisory Committee.
In addition, I'm involved in AMA (American Marketing Association), MarketWise and volunteer regularly with Habitat for Humanity. (I've probably worked on about 12 houses over the years - framing, insulating, shingling, siding, etc.)
Favorite Quote or Motto: "Everything happens for a reason." I have a strong faith in God and believe that even hardships/difficult times have an intended purpose/bigger meaning in life.
If Money Wasn’t an Issue, Where Would You Go on Vacation: New Zealand & Australia
If You Could Have a Super Power, What Would It Be? Teleportation
Have a question for Lindsey Newcomb? Get connected on LinkedIn.
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