Meet the New Automation Systems Manager

Mechatronics engineer Jenna Glasure was recently promoted to the role of Automation Systems Manager. Jenna started with Olsträd Engineering as an intern, and has thrived in her time with us, growing as a leader. We’re excited to see what she achieves! We had the opportunity to ask her some questions about this new role and her plans moving forward.

Congratulations on your new title! Do you have any plans for the Automation Systems group you can share?

Thank you! Where should I start??

I want to continue outreach with local High Schools and colleges. These relationships are vital to the internship program and growing the full-time team— my alma matter, Kent State, being a key player! Two current interns, Abby and Kevin, are huge players in the automation team, and plan to join us full-time after graduation!

I also want to build a high-trust environment. “Diversity is not a goal it’s an outcome,” Steve (Ogonek) says all the time. It’s something that resonates with me. Within the automation team, one step toward this environment looks like pay transparency. I’m thankful to have a team willing to take those steps with me and to be given the green light by my boss to do it.

What new responsibilities come with the title of Automation Systems Manager?

Managing the mechanical and electrical side of Automation projects, and being the official interface between the team and our customers.

You’ve been in charge of our internship program for the last few classes; do you think this has prepared you for your new role?

Supervising and recruiting interns has taught me so much that I can apply to my new role. There will always be new things to learn when working with people and automation – but I have a good idea of what works well for the team, and me. We all share a passion for learning that translates to helping each other learn and grow.

What’s been your greatest personal achievement in the last year?

Building the team, of course! Between our (soon-to-be-legendary) quote board, getting stuck kayaking in the river, and pulling a work all-nighter, it would be impossible to choose one singular event.

We work really well together and have worked hard to get to this point. Everyone pulls their own weight and will help each other out. I’m really proud of how far we have come. We work hard and have fun doing it – what could be better?

You’re planning an exciting event for 2023, right? Do you want to talk a little bit about it?

Yes! Girls’ Day is a one-day STEM event for girls in grades 3-8. Girls will have the opportunity to learn about STEM disciplines like engineering and interact with real industrial robots. It will be at KSU in the CAE Summer of 2023. There will be more details soon. I can’t wait!