Ashley Richerson came to Cooper Marine and Timberlands’ ChipCo division by way of the U.S. Army and BLUEGILL Restaurant. After serving four years of active duty as a Weapons Specialist in Fort Carson, Colorado, Ashley returned home with the goal of finishing her degree in Teaching Education. While enrolled in school she joined the team at BLUEGILL serving tables, but then COVID-19 struck.

“When COVID-19 shut down the restaurants,” she explained, “ChipCo offered some of the restaurant workers temporary jobs, such as painting and cleaning around the yard.” After several weeks of working at ChipCo on a temporary basis, in May she was offered a full-time position as the company’s Warehouse Inventory Manager.

When Ashley joined ChipCo she was unfamiliar with the industry, so each day was a learning experience. “Working with the ChipCo family, the crews have been extremely helpful answering questions and teaching me along the way,” she said. Her duties include organizing and tracking inventory and signing out supplies and parts to crews. She also performs purchasing duties, which ranges from ordering everyday consumables to major crane components. “With this job I’m either behind the computer processing purchase orders,” she said, “or outside on a forklift receiving deliverables.”

Citing the positive atmosphere fostered by the company as one of her favorite aspects, where contributions are encouraged and valued, Ashley plans to make the most of her time at ChipCo. “I love the opportunity I’ve been given,” she enthused.