Chevron Phillips Chemical announced today that Operations Superintendent Amanda Baca at the Sweeny/Old Ocean Facilities is among the 130 national recipients of the prestigious 2021 STEP Ahead awards by the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Manufacturing Institute. The distinct honor celebrates women with an impressive track record of leadership, professional excellence and community involvement in science, technology, engineering and production (STEP) careers.
"We congratulate Amanda for the well-deserved recognition, following her many outstanding contributions to the company and local community as an inspiring leader and caring team player," said Maricela Caballero, senior vice president of human resources. "At Chevron Phillips Chemical, we have amazing women that elevate our performance with their insight and dedicated work.
"We continue to create an environment where women can succeed and develop as effective leaders," she added. "That’s why it’s so exciting to see someone as exceptional as Amanda receive such a prized distinction."
Baca received top marks by Manufacturing Institute following her remarkable work and dedicated service in multiple areas. Those include her successful efforts to reduce operating costs and improve production volumes and margins at Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Sweeny/Old Ocean Facilities. Further, she serves as a mentor in and outside the company, and is actively engaged in community involvement, for which she also earned the Leaders Under 40 Award for Brazoria County, Texas.
"It is a great honor and privilege to receive this recognition, as well as a humbling reminder of how critical it is to work for an organization that nurtures the next generation of women leaders," said Baca. "I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader and bring further value to Chevron Phillips Chemical and the community."
"Women in manufacturing proved themselves time and time again after the pandemic began, leading our industry in innovation and progress," said Carolyn Lee, executive director at Manufacturing Institute. "We will honor these manufacturing leaders with the STEP Ahead Awards, elevating their success and granting them a platform to inspire the next generation of women manufacturing leaders."
Manufacturing Institute will celebrate the 2021 STEP Ahead award recipients at a Nov. 4 gala in Washington, D.C. The organization is the workforce development and education partner of NAM. Its STEP Women’s Initiative works to empower and inspire women in manufacturing as the nation’s top program to close the gender gap within the sector.