When LaVaughn Chatman, PMI’s production supervisor, graduated from high school, he followed his uncle’s lead and went to work for the same company, General Electric Lighting. He met many people there, including someone who later joined PMI Industries. This person told LaVaughn about a job opening at PMI, which led to LaVaughn being hired by PMI in 2016.
LaVaughn found that he liked being part of a small company, especially the challenges he encountered each day.
“You must come to PMI with your ‘A’ game,” he said. “We design and build underwater marine cable connectors and subsea cable terminations here, it can get involved. Paying attention to details is my number one priority.”
We asked LaVaughn to share more about himself and the work he does at PMI.
Please tell us about the department you work in at PMI Industries.
I was hired to work in Production as a technician I. Later, I became a technician II before spending one year working as a quality control inspector. Eighteen months ago, I moved into the production supervisor position.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
I like the fact that I am a true technician here, it is not assembly line work. At PMI, I do the job—from beginning to end—and the responsibility for the work is all mine. I like having direct control.
Depending on the type of cable assembly, we might find ourselves working with thousands of feet of cable, configured in multiple layers, where we need to build terminations for both ends. Some of our work is incredibly involved, especially cable assemblies that contain an inside fiber optic core. Before working alone with fiber optic cables, I went through about a year’s worth of training.
What is an area or a specialty of yours of which you are particularly proud?
I came here with zero experience in fiber optics. Working with these fibers, they are so delicate, it is like an art to be able to manage something that delicate.
How would you describe a “typical” work week?
It starts with an 8 a.m. meeting every day. Then, it is out to the production floor and huddling with the technicians to go over our work and to-do list. Depending on PMI’s deliverables, we may need to shift our focus to help the supply chain manager. We are versatile and wear many hats.
There is always a lot going on here, which makes the work exciting. I always like a good challenge.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Being with my family. I am a family man. I have chores to do around the house and kids to raise. One of my kids just graduated from college, and another one is starting his senior year in college. The two youngest are twins, they just started high school.
