“I have been with Pratt for 3.5 years and have truly grown within the industry,” Tristan Kriegbaum says, reflecting on a career path that has spanned multiple departments. Tristan began as a temporary associate in the Maintenance department, gaining immediate exposure to the mechanical operations of the plant. This early, hands-on immersion provided a unique foundation for her eventual move into Human Resources, offering a perspective that is rare in the field. Her time working alongside the technical teams built a deep-seated respect for the day-to-day realities of the plant floor, an experience that now informs many of the decisions she makes. When she eventually transitioned into an HR internship, she brought with her a ground-level understanding of the people she was tasked to support, transforming her into a bridge between the workforce and the front office.
A culture of internal mobility and talent recognition turned Tristan’s internship into a springboard for her career. Tristan’s ascent from a college graduate to an HR Generalist, and ultimately to her current role as an HR Manager in Vandalia, OH, was fueled by a combination of mentorship and hands-on training.
“I have gained invaluable, hands-on experience that has furthered my career,” Tristan explains. “I truly enjoy learning about this industry and would not be where I am today without the opportunities provided by Pratt.” This steady growth is testament to Pratt’s supportive culture, which provided the guidance necessary for her to master the complexities of industrial personnel management in just a few short years.
Today, Tristan’s role is central to the health of the facility, where she applies her technical background to the nuances of people operations. Because she knows what it's like to walk into the plant as a temporary associate, she possesses a keen eye for identifying candidates who will thrive in the Pratt culture. She doesn't just look for resumes; she looks for the same drive and curiosity that fueled her own journey. Tristan remains grounded in the gratitude of her beginnings, proving that at Pratt, the path to the manager's office can start anywhere.