Employee Spotlight: Noa Sanchez, Spreading Passion for Production Quality and Latin Culture in Maryville, Tennessee
Originally from California, Noa Sanchez two years ago took a leap of faith after college, travelling across the country to join our Maryville, Tennessee, team as a process engineer.
It seems that leap has landed him on solid ground. In his role, Noa is building the foundations of his career, growing his DENSO network in Maryville and across the region, and celebrating and promoting awareness of his Latin culture as part of our business resource group, DENSO Associates for Latin Experience (DALE).
Here’s more about his time at DENSO so far:
Q: Can you describe your role and focus areas?
A: My department supports projects that impact many electronic component sub-assembly production lines. We focus on making overall process improvements – ensuring we maintain high sub-assembly quality – and developing data input and analysis tools. Currently, I’m working on product conveyance to and from surface-mount device production lines.
I’m always happy to work directly with production colleagues to help solve problems and make improvements.
Q: Moving cross-country for your first job had to be a big adjustment. How did team members help you acclimate?
A: I was born and raised in Southern California and attended Cal Poly Pomona for my engineering degree. I knew after graduating I wanted to get into the automotive industry. I recognized DENSO as a well-respected company, and at first, I didn’t even know which location I was applying for!
However, once I was offered the job and had a chance to tour Tennessee, I decided to take the opportunity.
This was no light decision, but since the move, I have really enjoyed my time here and have been learning a lot every day. My coworkers have all been incredibly supportive and helpful as I’ve learned DENSO’s culture and way of working – which prioritizes collaboration and creating together. They made me feel very welcome.
Q: You’re also part of DALE. Can you share more about the group and how you support it?
A: DALE’s mission is to:
Promote Latin cultural awareness to attract, develop and retain talent; to
Positively impact the Latin community; and to
Explore new market opportunities for DENSO.
We try to accomplish this through our activities built around three pillars: Culture, Workforce and Marketplace. Together, they allow us to foster community, promote inclusion and develop insights that help us continue to innovate.
With members at DENSO sites across North America, it’s helped me grow my DENSO network even further and reinforce our teamwork mentality.
Q: What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
A: Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for me to appreciate the rich legacy of my family roots, and the generations before me who all played a role in shaping who I am. It's also fun to celebrate Latin culture, especially the food!
DALE is also hosting cultural awareness activities virtually throughout the month. It’s great to learn more about my coworkers’ backgrounds and how unique different Hispanic cultures are.