Each quarter, the S.U.S.T.A.I.N. Award recognizes an outstanding employee whose actions help move our organization forward.
Today, we are pleased to celebrate our newest recipient, Dakota Baker, 1st Shift Maintenance Technician! Dakota’s commitment to continuous learning, problem-solving and knowledge sharing makes him a great example of our “Nurture Expertise” leadership principle in action. By identifying root causes and developing lasting solutions, he helps improve operations while strengthening the technical knowledge of those around him.
To help us get to know him better, Dakota shared a few insights about what motivates him, the challenges he enjoys, and the experiences that have shaped his career.
Dakota, in His Own Words
I’m very fortunate to have an incredible family, including my wife, daughter, and our German Shepherd, Nala (better known as “Kitty”). When I’m not at work, you’ll usually find me at the gym, watching UFC, or hunting for my next favorite cologne.
Who inspires you to do your best work?
My motivation comes from my faith, my family, and my internal drive to never stop improving. I want to be the best at whatever I do, no matter how big or small the task or reward may be. I believe there’s always something new to learn and a better way to do things.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy a tough challenge. The corrugated industry is constantly changing and evolving, and no two breakdowns are ever the same. Every problem is like solving a new, complex puzzle. The challenge can be difficult, but the satisfaction of finding the solution makes it rewarding.
What’s something you find challenging about your work?
There’s no manual that teaches you how to become a great maintenance technician. You develop those skills through experience, trial and error, and learning how systems work. Electrical troubleshooting is especially challenging because the root cause can hide itself and take patience, critical thinking, and persistence to find.
S.U.S.T.A.I.N. stands for Support growth, Uplift others, Strive to improve, Take action, Advance innovation, Inspire engagement, and Nurture expertise—the values that sustain our culture and strengthen our teams.