NWP Employee Spotlight: Kandyl Martinez

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: Kandyl Martinez

Safety & Environmental Manager | Adelanto, CA

Kandyl is the Safety and Environmental Manager at Northwest Pipe Company’s Adelanto facility, ensuring employee safety and environmental compliance. Her responsibilities include identifying risks, implementing safety strategies, and driving continuous improvement. With a BS in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne and 16 years of diverse experience at the plant, Kandyl brings valuable expertise to her role and fosters a team-focused environment, recognizing teamwork as key to success.

How did you find your way to your current role?

My journey with Northwest Pipe Company began in 2002 as a receptionist at the Adelanto plant. Over the years, I’ve held various positions, including Payroll and Labor Administrator, Maintenance Administrative Assistant, and Shipping and Receiving Clerk. After a brief hiatus from 2015 to 2021, I returned to NWP. Thanks to opportunities for growth within the Company, I’ve now advanced to my current role as Safety and Environmental Manager.

What made you want to join Northwest Pipe Company, and what makes you want to stay?

NWP offered the stability I was looking for. Here at the Adelanto plant, I feel valued and supported in my professional development.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

My workdays revolve around keeping employees safe from safety and environmental hazards. Every day is a new day—one day might start and end with the same audit, inspection, or training, while others may be filled with a combination of incident management, reporting, safety planning, and observing.

What do you look forward to each day at work – what keeps you coming back?

I can’t stress enough about the culture we have built here at our Adelanto facility. Everyone here is unafraid of failure—we are challenged and at the same time encouraged to find creative ways to continually improve in our processes. I’m also grateful to the great leaders we have who inspire me every day to be passionate about what I do.

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

Seeing my efforts and learning yield positive results—both for my personal and professional development, and for my team’s growth—is incredibly rewarding.

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

Being a part of the Adelanto plant’s Title V termination. The Title V Program requires local and state air quality agencies to issue operating permits to “major source” facilities that emit significant amounts of air pollutants. Our plant voluntarily elected to limit emissions to a level that exempts us from the Title V permitting program. With the air quality improvements we implemented, our plant is now considered a “minor source” facility. This environmental project involved team discussions to weigh the pros and cons of exiting the program. We also worked closely with our local Air District to modify all existing District Permits, reflecting SM80/Minor emission limitations after final approval by the CARB/EPA.

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

Teamwork resonates most for me because working together is the most effective and efficient way to work. Teamwork brings unity, collaboration, and motivation to our workplace.

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

I like how the Adelanto plant is family-oriented. We look out for each other and work together like a family unit.

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

My advice would be to get to know your people. Talk to the people who are doing the job. Listen and understand. Getting others involved in conversations about safety/environmental compliance from the beginning will make it easier to work together to continuously improve.

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

My boys and grandsons.

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 playing soccer and spending family time outdoors. NWP has always allowed me the flexibility to adjust my hours if needed as well as take vacation time off.