Andrew Poet

Funny story about manufacturing engineer Andrew Poet, a team member who truly can get lost in his work.

During last year’s holiday break, Andrew was so focused on his programming tasks that he couldn’t spare the time to change the battery in his car, so he relied on jump-starting the car until finally Dean Seger and Arly Nagle took it upon themselves to change the battery.

It’s all part of Andrew’s dedication to doing good work and desire to constantly improve himself and the product.

“Andrew is a lifelong learner and is always looking for challenges,” says department manager Kraig Hoekstra.

In addition to pushing himself, Andrew is known for trying to get the most out of one of Western Window Systems’ key manufacturing tools.

“He is constantly pushing the limits of what the CNC machine is capable of and is always trying stuff with it,” Hoekstra says. “As he says, ‘They put a pig’s heart in a man’s body.’”

Hoekstra lauds Andrew, who started with the company in August 2016, for laying the framework for all the CNC programs in order to make it easy to create all the different parts in all the different sizes.

Andrew also was part of the frames continuous improvement event, about which Hoekstra gives credit to the whole team involved with it. But he singled out Andrew for his contribution: “He took on a project to help the team. He programmed the sill riser all on his own.”

Congratulations to Andrew Poet, Western Window Systems’ office employee of the month for March.

Learn more about Andrew Poet by reading his Q&A:

Where are you from?
Portland, Oregon.

What song best sums you up?
“Time” by Pink Floyd.

What is your favorite sport to watch or play?
Rock climbing.

What are your hobbies?
Rock climbing, slackline, fly fishing, camping.

Who do you look up to or admire?
My brother Jeremy.

Where do you most want to travel but have never been?
Alaska.

If money were no object, what would you do all day?
Spend time outdoors.

What is your favorite family recipe?
My wife’s bruschetta.

What’s your favorite movie?
2001: A Space Odyssey.

What is your biggest success up until now?
Receiving my degree.

What’s your favorite part of working at Western Window Systems?
The opportunity to learn new skills while working with far more experienced mentors.

What is one fun fact about you that almost no one knows?
My family and I moved 12 times before I was in first grade.