At Tech Etch, people are at the heart of everything we do. Our employee-owners are not only responsible for creating the precision-engineered parts that power industries worldwide they also shape the culture, values, and future of our company. In this Tech Etch Management Spotlight, we feature Kim Dvorak-Hernandez, Production Manager at our Litchfield, Minnesota facility, whose story of leadership and growth represents the best of who we are.
An 11-Year Journey of Growth
Kim has been with Tech Etch for over 11 years. She began her career as a production supervisor, stepping into a role that demanded hands-on leadership and adaptability. Over time, her dedication and ability to foster collaboration earned her the respect of her peers and mentors. Three years ago, Kim was promoted to production manager, a role that gave her the opportunity to shape the broader direction of her team.
That promotion, she recalls, was one of the proudest moments of her career. It represented not just her growth, but also Tech Etch’s commitment to recognizing and investing in its people. “With the manager position, I’m able to help others grow,” she explains. And that’s exactly what she’s done.
Leadership Development and Continuous Learning
A pivotal moment in Kim’s journey was her invitation to participate in the Executive Leadership Program in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The program gave her tools to expand her leadership capabilities, learn from other leaders across the company, and think more strategically about guiding her team.
“It helped me grow others to a whole different capacity than what I had known before,” she reflects. The experience underscored a truth we see throughout Tech Etch: investing in our people not only develops individual careers but strengthens the organization as a whole.
Building Tools for Success
Kim’s leadership has also had tangible results. One initiative she helped drive was the creation of a “defect book” to train new employees. This practical resource became a cornerstone for onboarding, helping new team members understand potential challenges and how to avoid them. The book has improved efficiency, consistency, and quality across all critical in a production environment where precision matters.
Her focus on building systems that empower others reflects Tech Etch’s culture of innovation and quality. Even small tools and processes, when thoughtfully designed, can ripple outward to strengthen the whole company.
A Culture Rooted in Respect
For Kim, one value rises above all: respect. “If you respect others and they respect you, it’s going to create an even stronger culture,” she says. Respect is not just a word at Tech Etch, it’s a principle that guides teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Of course, leadership comes with challenges. Production managers must balance shifting priorities, customer demands, and the realities of the manufacturing floor. “It can be very challenging in the role that I hold,” Kim admits, pointing to moments when teams must pause current work and adapt quickly to meet urgent needs. But through patience and collaboration, she and her team consistently rise to the occasion.
Pride in Employee Ownership
Kim also emphasizes one of Tech Etch’s defining features: employee ownership. “We are employee owned. That’s a huge benefit to us for our future,” she says. For her and her colleagues, ownership isn’t abstract, it’s felt daily in the sense of responsibility, pride, and long-term vision that motivates employee-owners.
As our brand audit highlights, employee ownership means every person at Tech Etch understands the larger impact of their work. Whether it’s a component for a life-saving medical device or a precision part for aerospace applications, our products enhance lives globally. Kim embodies that mindset, recognizing that her contributions ripple outward well beyond the production floor.
Motivating Others and Looking Ahead
What inspires Kim most is helping others succeed. “What motivates me every day is being able to get out on the floor and help others achieve anything they’re struggling with,” she shares. Sometimes that means troubleshooting equipment. Other times, it’s guiding teammates through personal or professional challenges.
To new team members, her advice is simple but powerful: “Just hang in there. I’ve seen the change in the last 11 years, and that’s been phenomenal. I can’t imagine what the next ten, twenty, thirty years will be”.
Her words reflect both resilient and optimistic qualities that have helped her grow as a leader and inspire those around her.
A Story That Reflects Tech Etch’s Mission
Kim Dvorak-Hernandez’s journey captures what makes Tech Etch unique: a culture where respect and teamwork are paramount, employee ownership drives accountability, and innovation shapes how we solve problems.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to engineer a better world, one part at a time. Kim’s story is a reminder that this mission is brought to life not only through the parts we manufacture but through the people who lead, mentor, and inspire across our facilities.