Growing up on her family’s farm, Carolee Vanicek was always fascinated by various technical processes, and she constantly found herself wondering how something could be made better and faster. It was this analytical side of her nature that eventually led Carolee to a career in the steel industry.

After graduating from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Carolee joined The Timken Company. “I was attracted to Timken’s processes for producing steel and the opportunities for professional growth,” remembers Carolee.  

Carolee has enjoyed tremendous career opportunities throughout her career. With the support of Timken, she even went back to school and earned her MBA. However, it is her current position as a project manager at Timken’s Harrison Bar Finishing line that has her excited about the future.    

Carolee is responsible for managing maintenance and support staff, generating new ideas for her business unit and improving the processes for bar finishing.  

Carolee’s job is fast-paced and unpredictable. A typical day can include working on the shop floor with her team to solve an emergency on a production line, leading meetings in a conference room setting or negotiating with vendors over the telephone. Working in the steel industry has allowed Carolee to also diversify her skill set and pursue other areas of interest, including tubemaking.