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Cari Parker’s Big Responsibility

Cari Parker has a big responsibility. Really, really big.

The 1987 Auburn chemical engineering graduate is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable operation of global advanced materials company Eastman’s largest manufacturing location, which also happens to be one of the largest integrated chemical manufacturing facilities in the United States.

The simple answer as to just how she does it?

“I make sure the right people are in the right place at the right time,” she says.

Of course, that’s easier said than done.

The Kingsport, Tennessee site has 600 buildings on 4,000 acres, 900 of which are dedicated to the main plant alone. It’s so big it has its own railroad with 37 miles of track (in addition to the 28 miles of paved roads) that supports approximately 5,000 railcar movements per week, toting the chemicals, fibers and plastics found in paint, adhesives, textiles, sports bottles, pharmaceuticals and even medical devices.

And it employs 5,000 people.

Still, when it comes to measuring success as site leader, Parker focuses on the individual.

“When someone that I’ve worked with is promoted to a higher level position, that is a great day,” she says. “When I see someone try something that they’ve never done before, and that they’re successful at because of the caring community around them, that’s a great day.”

Also a great day? The day she joined 100+ Women Strong in 2012. She remembers it well.

“I was contacted by the Engineering development folks and invited to a lunch in Houston right at the beginning of recruiting for 100+ Women Strong,” Parker says. “I just thought joining was a really smart step to take because I wanted to do more to help women see what a career in engineering can look like. There’s still a stereotype that you have to dress a certain way or have a certain approach or attitude to be successful, but I really appreciated their mission to help prospective students get connected to real women with careers in engineering.”

She’s also appreciated the personal benefits.

“I’ve gotten something from 100+ Women Strong, too, through tools and articles and perspectives that are pushed to the 100+WS community,” Parker says. “There have been quite a few job aids that I’ve been able to use inside of Eastman to improve mentoring within my company. I’ve seen it pay off.”

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