Ready to Lead: The Purposeful Rise of Ithaca’s Kaylyn Edgar

Kaylyn Edgar came to Hutchinson Aerospace & Industry in Ithaca, Michigan, ready to learn, jump in and make a difference.

She joined the team in September 2021 as a production operator. Today, she’s leading the second shift, helping set the tone for a team culture built on safety, support and continuous improvement.

“I knew I wanted to keep growing,” says Kaylyn, who stepped into the role of second shift production supervisor in June 2026.

Growth had started quickly for Kaylyn. Just a few months after she joined Hutchinson, management recognized her drive and offered her the opportunity to enter Team Lead training. By April 2022, she had been promoted to team lead for APU 2, the molding department in which she worked.

In that role, she helped keep second shift moving by supporting operators, tracking production rates, completing audits, assisting with startups, diagnosing press issues, creating daily schedules and sharing key notes for the next shift.

“Every step has given me a chance to learn more, take on more responsibility and understand how everything fits together,” she says.

With her promotion to team lead—and subsequent transition to APU 1 in early 2023—Kaylyn became an active voice in safety and process improvement. Well versed in both APU departments, she has helped identify potential hazards and determine how to make the work environment safer.

“I’ve always had a keen eye for safety,” says Kaylyn, who is also a certified first responder for her team. “Being involved in risk assessments has helped me spot concerns early and look for ways to make things better.”

As she settles into her new role as head of her shift, Kaylyn is especially excited to foster an environment where operators feel supported and heard.

“Making sure there is understanding, listening, respecting and helping, that’s a priority,” she says. “I want to make it a comfortable place, and a place people look forward to coming to.”

Download Employee Testimonial