CHARLOTTE, N.C. — WCNC Charlotte is getting an inside look at the Siemens Energy workplace as we highlight women in manufacturing during Women’s History Month.
About 30% of women work in manufacturing jobs across the country, according to the Census Bureau.
One of those women is Jackie Bray, a Charlotte native
We first met Jackie in 2012 after she was a guest at the State of the Union address, sitting right next to Michelle Obama and even being mentioned in then-President Obama’s speech.
Now, more than a decade later WCNC Charlotte’s Jesse Pierre caught up with her and she shared how she is empowered by her industry’s growth.
In just a few months, construction will start at the Charlotte Siemens Energy facility as it expands to produce transformers. Bray who has been there since 2011, gave us a quick tour of one of the facilities. She said she is excited to see the evolution of technology produced at Siemens Energy.
“What we do at Siemens Energy is make power,” Bray, who is now a manufacturing supervisor, said. “When you turn lights on, we did that.”
The passion she has for her job is electrifying. Bray started as a process operator and worked her way up to a management position.
“Back 12 years ago when the gas building was born ... it was brand new,” Bray said. “When I was first hired there was nothing in the building.”
This is a job Bray said pushes her out of her comfort zone.
“When I came here I learned how to run lasers and robots,” Bray said. "It was exciting because I've never done anything that technical before."
The company is not the only one charged up about Bray’s work in manufacturing. Back in 2012, Obama recognized her at the State Union of the Union address.
“Siemens opened a gas turbine factory in Charlotte and formed a partnership with Central Piedmont Community College,” Obama said. “The company helped the college design courses in laser and robotics training. It paid Jackie's tuition, then hired her to help operate their plant.”
Bray said not only was that moment important for her but it also proved to her daughter that she could do anything as well.
“She was like 'I saw you on TV and you looked incredible,'” Bray said. “At that moment, I was like 'She is proud of me' and that was really beautiful for me.”
Siemens Energy is going through another transformation, as the company expands to build transformers here in Charlotte. It’s the only location to do so in the U.S.
Paul Nikolich is the Production Head for Combustion Components with the company.
“We are becoming self-sufficient with everything being manufactured under one location, just really utilizing the synergy that we have, reducing costs and allowing us to be more competitive for the marketplace,” Nikolich said.
Bray said she will get to see another facility come together from the ground up. Bray said the company's growth keeps her energized.
“For me working at Siemens Energy is everything."
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.