Thien Nguyen(he/him)

Thien Nguyen is the Production Control Manager at ROMAC Industries, a company that makes waterworks pipe products in the Pacific Northwest. He oversees production, shipping, and maintenance departments — basically making sure everything runs safely, on time, and at the right quality. He didn't follow a straight path to get here: he grew up with a love of music (alto saxophone and singing), electronics, and cars, and he had no clear plan right after high school. Thien's career started hands-on. He learned auto mechanics by working in his stepdad's shop, where he made mistakes — like skipping the cylinder head resurfacing step on a Cadillac — and learned that asking questions before rushing is way more valuable than pretending you know everything. From there, a relationship he built online (now his wife) brought him to Seattle, where he landed a production job at a produce company and got promoted quickly. A staffing agency connected him to ROMAC, where he started on the floor assembling clamps. At ROMAC, Thien kept saying yes to new opportunities — even when he was scared. He became a team lead, then tried (and initially backed out of) a planner role, then came back and nailed it on the second try. He eventually grew into his current management role without ever getting a college degree. His rise came from attitude, relationship-building, and a genuine commitment to helping his team grow — not from credentials. For students of color, especially those who didn't go straight to college or aren't sure what career path fits them, Thien's story is a real example of what consistent effort, curiosity, and being a team player can build over time. He's living proof that you can start on a factory floor and end up leading entire departments. His biggest message: don't hoard your knowledge out of fear. Train people, build bench strength, and show leadership that you can develop others — that's what real job security looks like.