Woman are the backbone of the industry

MCS Influencer Randy Chaffee says women bring a perspective that's different.

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with MCS Influencer Randy Chaffee. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Alex Tolle: Hello, I'm Alex Tolle with metalcoffeeshop.com and I'm back again with Randy. How are you, Randy? 

Randy Chaffee: I'm great. It's ready to be back. It's like been like, like two minutes, I think. 

Alex Tolle: I know we just recorded February, so this is great. 

Randy Chaffee: I know, it's great. 

Alex Tolle:So our March influencer question for MetalCoffeeShop is how have women influenced the metal industry overall and why should more women consider careers in metal? 

Randy Chaffee: You know, this is, I told you just before we come on, that this will be a relatively short one compared to my hour and a half dissertation the other day. But you know, why not? I mean, I could just leave it that and we could be done, but why not, right? I mean, seriously, I know so many women in the industry, yourself included and Heidi and Karen and so many people in the industry that, I've gotten to know and become friends with over the years. And I seriously am not one of these people that even questions why that would be a question. Because, some of my favorite people are women in the industry and and they bring every bit as much, if not more, than a lot of men do. 

I think that also they bring a perspective that's different. Because I'm gonna go off on a limb here that might get me in trouble. But we do think differently sometimes, right? I mean, I don't think that's a negative. It's just it is what it is. But I think that's welcome and I think it's good. And I, especially in an industry that's been, you know, male dominated up until the last few years, I think it's good to have that other perspective. And like I said, I've learned so much from so many women in the industry. So yes, the question to the answer is they should. Why not? I think getting them more involved is people like yourself and like Heidi and like Karen and so many others. 

I can think like all the ladies from the association office that does, you know, the NFBA and the MRCA and a bunch of the other associations, just to name a couple. The more that you guys continue to do as women, what you do to bring really greatness to the industry is what's gonna draw more women into it. I think they're going to see a cross section of younger such as yourself. That's a compliment to, I'm not gonna say older like Heidi. 'cause that wouldn't be a compliment, but I already said it. So there goes, I'm not gonna get a new coffee mug now I'm sure. But you know, the point is, the more you're out there and the more you do what you do and the presence at the shows and the things that you do is gonna attract women to be involved. 

I will give a couple other shout outs just because. Two that I've got to know really well and work closely with in one shape or another is Amanda Johnson with Roper Whitney. And Shannon with True Metals who used to be with a manufacturer. I'm with MWI components, again, marketing people. And Jasmine is our current girl at MWI, I don't wanna forget her or else she won't send me any literature again. There are so many good women out there getting into this industry now again, circling back to what I could have done and been done in four minutes or four seconds is there's no reason not to be. There's every reason to be, and if, if you're not being welcoming, uh, as a guy, shame on you because you're missing out on a lot. And, uh, that's it. More than merrier. Let's go. 

Alex Tolle: I I love it. And there's so many different opportunities, whether you're actually, you know, out building, like actually out there doing the hard labor or you're behind the scenes. All of that work is, it's equally as important. And there's so many opportunities for, for women, for men, for everybody. 

Randy Chaffee: There is, and you're right. You know, we tend to think maybe of women in more the clerical, the back room, the marketing, the whatever, the behind the desk behind the mic. But hey, I've been out to job sites with crews that I don't think I wanna work as hard as a lot of the women out there working. Right. You know those are just the days of thinking there's limitations for anybody. If we're not past that by now, then I think you're small-minded thinking. That's all I'm saying. It doesn't matter. Whatever is best for the job, period. And that's all. 

Alex Tolle: I totally agree. 

Randy Chaffee: There you go. And I love talking to you every day. It's always great. Not every day, but we could talk every day. 

Alex Tolle: Thank you so much, Randy. Appreciate you taking the time to answer the MetalCoffeeShop March influencer question.