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HIGHL IGHTS A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1 5 8 WOMEN IN ENGINEERING This profile series introduces mate- rials scientists from around the world who happen to be females. Here we speak with Deidra Minerd, operations manager, Euclid Heat Treating, Ohio. What does your typical workday look like? I spend part of my day quoting and pricing jobs. The quoting part involves reviewing the heat treat requirements and comparing them to our process capabilities. Sometimes that involves digging through specs and quality requirements, making sure we can meet them and figuring out what it would cost. The other part of my day is spent communicating with all the departments and managing the processes. This may involve balancing customer demands with equipment avail- ability or personnel needs with anticipated order volumes. What part of your job do you like most? The type of leadership I strive for is “servant leader- ship.” I aim to provide our employees what they need to do a good job serving our customers in a timely, efficient way. Put another way, I try to remove obstacles that would oth- erwise prevent supervisors and shop floor employees from getting parts heat treated properly and out the door. The best part of my job is when we find a way to do something better or more efficiently, which makes the employees’ lives easier and makes the customer happy. What is your engineering background? I received my B.S. in metallurgical engineering from The Ohio State University. I worked as a sales engineer at Therm-O-Disc before coming to Euclid Heat Treating. What attracted you to engineering? I decided to pursue metallurgical engineering with the intent of working at Euclid Heat Treating. I didn’t know any- thing about engineering until I enrolled in the program. It was a great fit though, because I like science and math. Did you ever consider doing something elsewith your life besides engineering? Yes! I started out in the pharmacy program at the Uni- versity of Toledo, then decided I would like to try working at Euclid Heat Treating, which was started by my grandfather. I switched schools and majors, and figured if I didn’t like met- allurgical engineering, I would switch back to pharmacy. However, I loved it and was hooked. Best career advice, given or received: Take every opportunity to learn something. It doesn’t have to be formal credit-based, degreed learning. Have conversations with people who know things you don’t, ask questions, watch webinars, and read books. Assume every- one has something to teach you. Are you actively engaged with ASM or its affiliates? I am a member of the ASM Cleveland Chapter and also serve as secretary on the board of the Heat Treating Society, an affiliate of ASM International. Favorite motto or quote? “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” – Winston Churchill Do you know someone who should be featured in an upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt at vicki.burt@asminternational.org . PHOTO GALLERY Minerd Outgoing ASM President Diana Essock thanks retiring o icers and members during the ASM Annual Meeting, which was held virtually on Monday evening, September 13. Also at the Annual Meeting, incoming ASM President Judith Todd speaks to the important role our Foundation plays in the society’s future. PHOTO GALLERY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM ANNUAL MEETING