NWP Employee Spotlight: Jeremy Howard

NWP Employee Spotlight Series:
Illuminating Stories from the People of Northwest Pipe

At Northwest Pipe Company, our team members are the foundation of our success, and we take pride in our diverse and talented workforce. This series shares the inspiring stories and career journeys of employees from different departments and locations. In each installment, we interview one of our team members and delve into their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments, and discover why they choose to build their career with Northwest Pipe Company.

Spotlight on: Jeremy Howard

Production Supervisor II | St. Louis, MO

In his dual role at our Permalok® facility in St. Louis, Jeremy manages daily production and strives to maintain a safe working environment for employees. His primary responsibility as Production Supervisor II is ensuring his team is building projects on schedule and on budget. As the plant Safety Manager, Jeremy collaborates with the other Safety Managers at NWP to continually improve the safety culture at his facility. Jeremy marked his 10th anniversary with Permalok®, A Northwest Pipe Company, earlier this year.

How did you find your way to your current role?

Before Northwest Pipe, I worked for an industrial body shop as the floor supervisor. There, we did bodywork and painted large industrial equipment (excavators, diesels, trash trucks, and school busses).

Our current maintenance lead is a close friend of mine, and he advised me of a job opening at the Permalok plant in St. Louis back in January 2014. When I started, I was hired to run our CNC plasma table. In 2017, I moved into an Inside Sales position and later became a Project Supervisor. In March 2023, I moved back into operations and have been in my current role since.

Looking back at when you first applied – what made you want to join Permalok, A Northwest Pipe Company?

At the time, my current employer was going out of business, and Permalok looked like a Company that would allow for internal growth and stability.

After 10 years, what makes you want to stay with the Company?

Northwest Pipe has been a great employer and has allowed me the opportunity to continue to grow professionally and take on new challenges. I genuinely feel like the Company wants to see me succeed.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

My typical workday starts at 6 A.M. with a production meeting with all our operators, where we provide them with the tasks they will be working on for the day. The majority of my day is spent out on the floor with our operators, sometimes working in traffic control to anticipate potential issues and make sure the plant is running efficiently. Also, as the Safety Manager, I am responsible for making sure our staff is working safely during day-to-day operations.

What do you look forward to each day at work?

I really enjoy my colleagues and the employees I manage. Also, the industry that we supply pipe for is unique, and the challenging work keeps me on my toes.

What do you find most rewarding or exciting about your job?

The challenge. Every day comes with its own unique challenges, and it forces everyone to work together.

Describe a favorite project you’ve worked on so far.

We did a project with Michels in North Dakota called the Red River Valley Water Supply Project. This project required two NWP facilities (Parkersburg and St. Louis) to work closely together to ensure another successful project. I was the Project Supervisor at the time, and I was fortunate enough to be onsite during part of the installation. It’s nice to see the final product and a happy customer.

Which of the Northwest Pipe Company ACT Values (Accountability, Commitment, Teamwork) resonates most for you in your role?

Teamwork. It is impossible to do what we do without the whole team pulling in the same direction. I am fortunate enough to have a great team to work with here at Permalok.

What stands out to you about the culture at Northwest Pipe Company?

I appreciate that NWP promotes from within and treats loyal employees well.

What advice do you have for someone starting a career in your field?

Be open to new challenges and ask a lot of questions.

Is there someone at Permalok who has inspired or motivated you along your career journey?

Henry Goff (VP/GM of Permalok) has been crucial to my development and advancement within NWP and continues to motivate me every day, not only in my professional life but in my personal life as well.

Name one thing that always brightens your day outside of work.

Seeing my wife and dog Finn.

What do you like to do to unwind, and how does working at NWP help you maintain a work-life balance?

Outside of work, I enjoy fishing, camping, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family. NWP has always allowed for vacations or time off to be taken when I need one, whether it’s a day or a week.