Meet Melany Reid

posted On Friday, January 2, 2026 in Blog

Q&As with Melany Reid

Melany, you started at AHT in August 2025. How did you initially hear about AHT and what influenced your decision to apply?

I have a friend who works at AHT who talks highly about this company. That was my biggest factor in applying here. Another was the size. It’s great working for a company that you know everyone’s role and how they can help you with what you are working on.

How has your past job experience or college education prepared you for your role?

I have my materials engineering degree from Iowa State University and I have worked as a Process Engineer for the last 5 years learning the ins-and-outs of manufacturing. This was a little different than my last role which was in a fiberglass factory where I was more focused on the glass side of my degree. But being hands-on in manufacturing really taught me how to listen to those doing the jobs and try to adjust accordingly.

What does a typical day look like for you as Quality & Materials Engineer?

Walking in the door, I like to start my day saying 'hello' to everyone who is here. Then I address priority items like contract reviews or parts that need reviewed. We have a lot of automotive customers, so I make sure all the things are covered metallurgically and quality-wise before the parts ship as well. Then I typically call customers with any questions we have about POs or follow up on how their parts ran. In the future, I look forward to getting more involved in the metallurgical lab side.

We hear you had a big event happen right before you joined the AHT team. (Ahem, a wedding.) Tell us about that.

I did! It was just days before my wedding day that I learned about the opening here at AHT. We got married on the summer solstice at a little lakeside venue in Ohio that became a 3-day weekend for our friends and family to celebrate with us. We had a block of Airbnb rentals.

We then went to Alaska for our honeymoon on a 7-night cruise. We got to see all sorts of wildlife and beautiful landscapes, and I really hope to go back and do a land tour one day.

What is one thing people may not know about you?

I love to make things. I have been taking pottery intermittently since high school and have continued in Toledo. I took a welding sculpture class. Next on my list is glass blowing.

You work in Michigan, but live in Ohio. So which teams do you root for then?

I’m originally from Illinois and a big hockey fan, so I still support the Chicago Blackhawks in spirit. But since they are closer, I frequent the Detroit Red Wings. But what this question is referencing - my husband is a Michigan fan, so I support them out of solidarity.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I am a collector of hobbies - especially hobbies that I can do in the summer like riding my motorcycle. So in the warmer months: disc golf, tennis, and fishing are big hobbies. Now in winter, I am just learning to play hockey with some people at the local pond. I grew up on a figure skating team and this seemed like the next logical step. Or playing video games. Some people at work have made a group that join in online to play games together.

Melany Reid - Meet the Team Blog

Aside from on-the-job training, you are also going to be attending some outside training. Tell us about that.

I will be attending an AMS 2750 class to learn in depth about pyrometry for our vessels.

Describe something at AHT that has fascinated you.

The large variety of parts we receive! From very tiny parts that we run 100s of thousands of at a time to a screw we had to fly in through the roof by crane. We even get some parts that I used at my last job in the fiberglass factory - I had no idea!

(Editor's Note: AHT in Monroe, Michigan is able to nitride parts up to 31-feet in length. Learn more about our size capabilities at https://www.ahtcorp.com/applications/longlarge-parts/.)

If a customer was visiting Monroe, Michigan or Toledo, Ohio… what restaurants would you recommend they visit?

That is a tough question. I am a big foodie. Barrs Public House near Toledo, OH has to be a top pick for me right now when I want a nice meal, or Mancy’s Italian Grille at happy hour. While downtown Toledo, Maumee Bay Brewing Company has a massive soft pretzel and beer cheese to die for.

Now, a series of quick random questions:

Pets? Nyx is 3 years old and a great dane/mastiff mix - the biggest lap dog around. Misty is 5 years old and a fluffy grey cat who is the boss of the house.
First Job: Cashier at Jimmy Johns
Favorite Food: Greek
Least Favorite Food: Seafood. It's just ok whenever I try it.
Any Hidden Talents? Pottery! Looking at joining the local pottery guild. Or figure skating, I grew up on a junior synchronized figure skating team.
If You Had a Super Power, What Would It Be? Teleportation. I hate driving.
Something on Your Bucketlist: International Travel – next year I’ll be going to Ireland.
Favorite Sport to Watch: Hockey. Any and all of it.
Best Concert: Trampled by Turtles
Favorite Class in College: American Sign Language