Rodrigo “Huggy” Ibarra

Many people wait for something to happen to improve the things around them. Rodrigo “Huggy” Ibarra, Series 900 operator for Western Window Systems, has another approach: He does it himself.

“Huggy found a way to use two types of vinyl to enhance the retention of the caps for the Series 900 Hinged Door,” says Kraig Hoekstra, manufacturing engineer. “And after working with the service department, he developed a way to insert a Series 900 leaf in a Series 600 fixed window frame so that the fasteners are hidden but can still be reworked.”

Service manager Todd Hayhurst adds that Ibarra, who started with the company in January 2014, takes the initiative to help wherever he’s needed, even if that means carrying out responsibilities beyond his regular assignments. His professionalism on service calls has earned him praise from external customers. And his dedication, coupled with a positive attitude, has made Ibarra an inspiration to new team members, many of whom he trains.

“He’s very patient with new employees,” says Hoekstra. “He takes the time to make sure they have what they need to succeed, and always tells them the why of what they’re doing.”

The one thing Ibarra may be most famous for is his cooking.

“He smokes some of the best pulled pork I’ve ever had,” says Hoekstra. “It makes having to work overtime a lot more fun.”

Congratulations to Rodrigo Ibarra, Western Window Systems’ shop employee of the month for November.

Learn more about Rodrigo Ibarra by reading his Q&A below:

Where are you from?
Phoenix.

What is your favorite sport to watch/play?
Football.

What are your hobbies?

Smoking meat.

Who do you look up to/admire?
My father.

Where do you most want to travel?
Hawaii.

If money was no object, what would you do?
Open a business.

What is your favorite family recipe?
Potato salad.

What is your favorite movie?
Bloodsport.

What is your biggest success up until now?
Planting a seed in every department I work in.

What’s your favorite part of working at Western Window Systems?
Working with very good people.

What is one fact about you that almost no one else knows?
I’m afraid of the dark.