Sam has been with D.I.E. for almost ten months – and she has wasted no time learning various areas of our business. Sam started as a forklift driver in the Warehouse & Logistics Department and has recently moved over to the Shop where she is currently learning various aspects of disassembly.

Sam appreciates the work environment at Decatur Industrial.  “It feels relaxed and allows me to really focus on the job.”

Outside of work, Sam enjoys going to concerts. She most recently saw Lynyrd Skynyrd and 38 Special. She is also finishing a kitchen remodel with her father. 

Jim has been with Decatur Industrial Electric for  nine years. However, he has been with our building for close to 30 years! When Decatur Industrial Electric moved to 1650 E. Garfield several years ago Jim was doing building and grounds maintenance for the previous building occupants. Jim really impressed us and has been with Decatur Industrial ever since. Jim was recently promoted to Logistics Supervisor. When not at work, Jim enjoys camping and fishing. 

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – Workforce Investment Solutions helped a Decatur man land a full-time career he enjoys.

Eric Buchanan has been with Decatur Industrial Electric for about nine months. He went there through a partnership with WIS, which helped him gain the training he needed to take on the work.

“We receive a lot of applicants that need training, even in soft skills,” said DIE Marketing and Recruitment Director Kelli Runyon. “So when Eric came in, and since he worked with Workforce, he already knew how to be prepared for a job interview, how to interact with other employees and skills that are really necessary to a shop environment.”

Buchanan enjoys his position, where he washes electric motor parts in the “steam pit”.

“I’m part of a union,” Buchanan said. “I get benefits, insurance (and) a 401K plan. I really like it.”

WIS leaders say Buchanan is a prime example of how the training they offer can help someone be ready for the workforce.

“Eric was a testimonial for our program,” said Larry Peterson of WIS. “We had an advanced manufacturing training session going on, one of which was classroom training. When he wasn’t in class in the mornings in the afternoons, he worked at National Food Works in our work experience program.”

Jeremy Blankenship is one of our talented machinists – but he refers to himself as a problem solver! 

Jeremy has been with D.I.E. going on six years. He still finds each day different and rewarding.

“I like to build things from scratch. I get to make things no one has around anymore. It’s very rewarding.”

When not at work, Jeremy uses his skills working on cars. He is married and has a six year old boy.

Brooke Thompson is one of the newest (and youngest!) members of the Decatur Industrial Electric Team.  

Brooke comes to us from Millikin University where she majored in accounting and minored in environmental studies. She also played collegiate soccer.

“I love how everyone here makes you feel welcome and it has truly made my first job experience post-college a positive one.”

Brooke’s responsibilities include Accounts Receivable collections, rebate submissions, month end reporting, cost allocation analysis, assisting our controller, and implementing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management system.

In her free time Brooke likes to go the gym, sleep, watch Law & Order: SVU and Game of Thrones, play video games, and learn new things.