At Muratec USA, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people who drive it forward.

This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating nine women whose careers span diverse roles across the company. From engineering and analytics to finance and leadership, their experiences are as varied as their expertise. Some have built careers in manufacturing, forging new paths in traditionally male-dominated fields, while others ensure employees and teams have the resources they need to best serve customers.

Their stories reflect resilience, adaptability, and a shared passion for shaping the future of manufacturing. Read about their journeys, insights, and the impact they’re making at Muratec USA in their own words.

Tonya Adams

Title: Accounts Payable Coordinator II

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? 12.5 years

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I am the accounts payable coordinator in charge of processing all invoices related to projects, day-to-day operational invoices, and approving expense reports.

What inspired you to pursue a career in accounting, and how did you get started? I have always been a numbers girl. I learned how to operate a cash register at the age of six. My first job was a cashier, and my first career job was a bank teller. Throughout my banking career, I worked in AP processing invoices, then expense reports, and finally as a project coordinator. After leaving banking I worked at CMS in accounting and then went to another manufacturing company before coming to Muratec USA.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? I came to this company working in accounting which is where I will stay. I have enjoyed meeting employees in person when they come to the Charlotte office. I process their expense reports on a weekly basis, and it’s nice to put a face to a name.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? Choose a career that is meaningful to you. It’s not always about making the money.

Sara Ayesh

Title: Sales Operation Analyst

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? Around 1 year.

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I am the Machine Tools Division Sales Operations Analyst. My day-to-day responsibilities include supporting the sales team with operational tasks. I also work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize sales processes, manage data accuracy, and help drive strategic decisions to support the company’s growth objectives.

What inspired you to pursue a career in analytics, and how did you get started? What inspired me to pursue a career in manufacturing and analytics is my extensive experience in the manufacturing industry. Over the years, I have developed a strong set of skills that have provided me with a solid foundation in both the technical and operational aspects of manufacturing. This experience has sparked my interest in using analytics to improve efficiency and drive better decision making within the industry. What led me to Murata Machinery USA was my strong knowledge of Salesforce, the CRM platform, which has helped me streamline sales operations. Additionally, I have been involved in implementing and training the team on the new PRM system called Partner Portal, which will connect our machine dealers and regional sales managers, improving communication and collaboration across teams.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? What I enjoy most about working at Muratec USA is the opportunity to collaborate with a talented and dedicated team, and the chance to contribute to the growth and success of the company. The dynamic environment keeps me challenged and engaged, and I value the way everyone works together to drive innovation and improvement. A highlight of my career here has been implementing and training the team on the new Partner Portal PRM system. It was exciting to be part of a project that connected dealers and regional sales managers, streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency across teams. It’s been fulfilling to see the positive impact it has had on the business.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? My advice to someone considering a role in my career field, especially young women just starting out, would be to stay curious, embrace challenges, and never stop learning. The manufacturing and analytics fields are full of opportunities for growth, and it is important to remain adaptable and open to new technologies and processes. Do not be afraid to take on new responsibilities and ask questions; your unique perspective can bring valuable insights. Also, build a strong network and seek out mentors who can guide and support you along the way. Confidence and persistence are key and remember that you can succeed and make an impact in any role you pursue.

Josie Cook

Title: Receptionist

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? 29 years

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I cover the front desk, phones, switchboard. I make reservations, prepare meeting rooms, order lunches for training, and assist with customer and vendor visits – I do a little bit of everything.

What inspired you to pursue your career and how did you get started? I worked as garden center manager at Kmart for 17 years. W.A. Gaddis of Muratec USA was a frequent customer of mine and he must have seen something in me and encouraged me to come to Muratec. When I first started, I was scared to death. Wanda Reynolds and Pat Ryan took me under their wings and welcomed me and I started working in the warehouse. I drove a forklift and pulled and packed orders. I had five great guys I could depend on. After I started having back problems, I went on light duty, helping different departments and covering for the receptionist.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA and what has been a highlight of your career? When another employee was upset and wondered why I wasn’t at the front desk (I had time off), that made me feel like what I did was important, like, “That’s my house.” I thank God every day. I never complain about having to get up in the morning and go to work. I can help people. I can be an ear to listen. And we’re here for each other. One of the highlights: on my birthday last year, a Calloway rep surprised me. I was away from the front desk for a while and when I came back, there were flowers and cakes from him…It was a little too much for me, but it made me feel the love.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? Focus. Have patience. Listen. Always remember there’s not an ‘I’ in “team.” You don’t have to do it by yourself. There’s always someone to help, you just have to communicate.

Brenda Ellington

Title: Mechanical Repair/Administrative Assistant

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? 28 years

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I handle purchase orders to Murata Machinery Ltd. (parent company based in Japan) for machine orders, customer service purchase orders, and mechanical purchase orders. I also do repairs to mechanical parts of the Vortex spinning frame sent in by customers.

What inspired you to pursue a career in manufacturing, and how did you get started? I have worked in the textile industry for 48 years. I ran Murata winders in a previous job and thought I would like to have a job working with the company because they had great winders.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? The family atmosphere working with the textile division and training in different jobs here at Muratec USA.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? You will not find a better company and environment than Murata. Learn as you go. Definitely pay attention to your supervisor. I’ve had a good relationship with mine through the years.

Sopona Eason

Title: Senior HR Generalist

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? 3 years in June.

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? Recruit and handle staffing logistics and responsible for assisting with performance management, employee orientation, onboarding for new employees, and relationship management between employees and managers. Advise company managers on human resources-related issues; communicate about visa/immigration statuses of employees.

What inspired you to pursue a career in human resources, and how did you get started? Funny thing, my bachelor’s degree was geared toward law enforcement. I had some personal changes in my life, so my career went in a different direction, which led me to HR. While working in HR in the school system, I got my master’s degree (focusing on HR). After 10 years in the Charlotte school system, I switched industries but stayed in the HR field. I was told that Brenda Portillo (she and I had worked together in the school system) was looking for HR help, and I reached out to her. I knew nothing about manufacturing, but figured if I could make it in the school system, I would be able to make it at Murata.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? The environment and its people. Highlight of my career is being promoted from Talent Acquisition Specialist to Senior HR Generalist.  It motivates me knowing that Brenda believes that I could excel in the role. I am always learning, so being here has been a great experience.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? Be open and willing to continually learn.

Amy Gatti

Title: Application Engineer II

Time with Muratec USA: 13 years

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? General application support. This includes reviewing customer drawings, setting up customer demos, setting up standard machines and trade show demos, time studies and parts production analysis. Customer support both over the phone and on-site. On-site application training. Machine technical support.

What inspired you to pursue a career in manufacturing, and how did you get started? I would say I fell into manufacturing by accident really. I got a job in a manufacturing warehouse as a basic machine operator. While working long days and weekends, I often wondered, “What’s next?” I didn’t know much about machining or production but had always been mechanically inclined. I saw senior employees and they seemed to be involved in all aspects of the equipment and programming.  I started shadowing them whenever possible and quickly figured out my answer to “What’s next?” With their encouragement, I went to school and obtained a degree in machine tool and industrial maintenance. After I obtained my degree, the manufacturing industry quickly opened its door for me as I began a rewarding and fulfilling career as an Application Engineer with Muratec.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? Being on the other side of the machine has been my favorite part about working at Murata. It was no longer just about production but how can we get our equipment to produce efficiently for each customer. Also the gratification of solving customer issues and making it just a little easier for the next person. When customers thank you for taking the time to explain and work through their issue, which allows them to have a better overall understanding of the machine, it is really what it is all about for me.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in manufacturing, especially young women just starting out? Manufacturing offers a variety of opportunities for the future. This field will continue to grow with seemingly endless possibilities. Whether you are young and planning your future or looking for a career change, this field is one to consider. Although it is a male-dominated industry, there are so many amazing women I’ve been fortunate to have met, and I look forward to seeing the evolving diversity of this industry.

Yuko Kishimoto

Title: Human Resources Coordinator

How long have you worked for Muratec USA?  A little over 10 years.

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? My day-to-day work ultimately involves helping to empower our employees, whether that be through assisting them with logistical and travel challenges, helping to acclimate our assignees, travelers and trainees to the local community, keeping track of online training and other required paperwork employees need to submit, negotiating with our vendor partners to ensure optimal terms for our company while maintaining our long-standing relationships.  At the end of the day it’s all about working together, so we can win together.

What inspired you to pursue a career in human resources, and how did you get started? My inspiration comes from the fact that I have always had a passion for two things – problem solving and helping people.  Even when I was younger, nothing put a bigger smile on my face than being able to help others overcome obstacles and meet their goals.  One of the biggest joys of my childhood was being able to work together with my mom to help her remove the barriers in her path so that she could bring her vision to life of opening up her very own coffee shop in Japan.  So, when I think about human resources, it was a natural fit from the beginning, because it is all about people, and when it comes to Murata Machinery, I truly believe that our people are our greatest asset.

When it comes to how I got started, my previous employer had decided to relocate their offices to Chicago.  At that point, I had a decision to make as to whether I would follow my role to Chicago or stay here in Charlotte.  I can’t really explain, but I just knew Charlotte was the place for me.  I have to admit that the time I spent searching for that right opportunity was challenging, but in the end, it was 100% worth it, because I had found my home, both in Charlotte and at Muratec USA.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here?  What I enjoy most about working at here is the fact that no two days are the same.  Each day presents its own unique challenges and provides me with the opportunity to serve others, which is my passion.  I like to think of my role as a bridge that allows for the opportunity for the Japanese and American cultures to come together as one.  In terms of choosing one career highlight, that is such a difficult task, because ultimately I like to think of my career as being defined by the hundreds of smiles I have been able to put on the faces of all the various assignees, travelers and trainees that I have been lucky enough to assist on their respective journeys.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? I would tell young women looking to get into HR to always remember that there are many paths that can lead to where you want to go, so don’t be discouraged when you encounter obstacles, but rather view those as opportunities to learn and grow.  Also, don’t be afraid to take chances, view feedback as a gift, always believe in yourself and never stop learning.

Celeste Pressley

Title: Proposals Manager

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? 6 years

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I manage our Machine Tools Divison Turning Proposals Department. We are primarily support for the outside sales team, we review machine tool projects, work with vendors, engineering, and applications department to concept and price solutions for customers. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in manufacturing and how did you get started? I’ve always been very good in math and was interested in crafts, art, and woodworking. I enjoy making things. In college, I studied industrial arts and got my first experiences with metalworking and machining. In 2010, I moved to Charlotte, and while struggling to find work, I started as an operator at a Swiss turn production shop. I loved it. I loved solving the puzzle of how turn this bar stock into this final complex piece with all these features. I loved learning about the machines and solving issues daily. Now I’m behind a desk, but I still get to do the same problem solving. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? I love the team atmosphere and the push to find a solution. Everyone here wants to find a way to solve the problem. We don’t like to say ‘no’ to a challenge. 

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? It is hard sometimes to be the only woman. Things are improving, but be ready for that reality. Having kids adds another layer to that complexity when you are in environments that have never had to deal with a pregnant employee, or a person who is the primary caregiver for young children. But you can do it, and every struggle that you win helps the women who are coming behind you. Find people and companies that see your value and want you to succeed. Networking with other women in the industry helps so much.

Brenda Portillo

Title: Human Resources Director

How long have you worked for Muratec USA? Almost 12 years.

Describe your role at Muratec USA – what are your day-to-day responsibilities? I’m currently the HR Director and my role is to ensure employees feel comfortable coming to a place where ideas and collaboration come together. We are constantly recruiting great minds and team players!

What inspired you to pursue a career in human resources, and how did you get started? I have a passion for making the right connections between people and careers. I strongly believe that there is a job opportunity for everyone if they are willing to put the time and effort into it. Our job in human resources is to match those people with opportunities within Muratec USA.

What do you enjoy most about working at Muratec USA, and what has been a highlight of your career here? I enjoy the freedom and flexibility to make a difference. I have seen the progression of many of our new hires and how they have flourished in their careers within Muratec throughout a decade.

What advice would you give to someone considering a role in your career field, especially young women just starting out? I would tell them not to be afraid to seek opportunities outside the norm. There has been a perception that manufacturing is a male industry, but women can come with fresh ideas and innovate the industry.

Looking for your next opportunity in manufacturing, including machine tools, textiles, logistics and automation and clean factory automation? Check out the the latest Muratec USA job listings.