Jennifer Rome, who graces the cover of the 2025 NEW Manufacturing Alliance All Stars magazine, is Kate’s and Ann’s guest on this week’s episode of the NEW Manufacturing Insights podcast. Find out more about Jennifer’s career journey and why learning a trade and working in the manufacturing sector has been the right career move for her.
Jennifer says she took the wood manufacturing course at Fox Valley Technical College and worked for a historical floor manufacturer before coming to Burger Boat four years ago. As an “art kid” growing up, Jennifer says wood manufacturing was a natural fit. She hasn’t regretted the decision a bit, although she admits being a woman in a male-dominated industry was “intimidating at first.”
“[There’s] a lot of talk about gender bias and that sort of thing,” she tells the co-hosts on episode 78. “I haven’t really experienced any of that; I think it depends on the place you work, and the people you surround yourself with is a big factor. I think it’s only going to get better. I hope it doesn’t discourage anyone from getting into [the trades], because it’s very fulfilling. I find meaning in my work every day. I enjoy getting better; I enjoy learning every day.”
Read this year’s NEWMA All Stars magazine, featuring Jennifer Rome on the cover, online.
Listen to this week’s full podcast episode, produced by B.J. DeGroot of Woodward Community Media, on Spreaker or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Please consider subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and help support the show, which is a joint effort between the NEW Manufacturing Alliance and Insight.
New episodes of NEW Manufacturing Insights are released on Thursdays. Contact your Insight account manager for sponsorship information; contact Kate Bruns at kbruns@insightonbusiness.com to suggest topics and guests.
