2009 30 under 40 winners

Dee Dee Kagias, 39

Location manager, Glasspro Inc., Georgetown, S.C.

Kagias fell into the glass industry “strictly by luck.” She spent her early career in the textiles industry, until 2003 when she was laid off from her job. A friend knew Glasspro was hiring and suggested she pursue the opportunity. She brought to her current role many management skills that are not industry-specific. “While you should be able to enjoy the people you work with, business is business. When you spend as much time as you do at work, your friends and colleagues become mixed. But sometimes you have to draw the line and be the manager,” she says.

Kagias feels Glasspro continues to stay ahead of the curve by relying on new training and technology to serve its customers well. “Glasspro is consistently training our people. We’re lucky that Glasspro is constantly trying to improve. We’re all required [to use] MyGlassClass.com to be here. Knowing your product is the only way a company is going to remain successful, especially in our economic times.”

One-word description of the glass industry: Ever-changing
One-word description of self: Self-motivated
Career history: 2003-present, location manager, Glasspro Inc., Georgetown, S.C.; 1997-2003, production manager, Fun-Tees Inc., Andrews, S.C.; 1993-97, production clerk/powder prep clerk, Tupperware Mfg., Hemingway, S.C.; 1989-1993, engineering assistant, Oneita Industries, Andrews, S.C.; 1987-89, secretary, Accento Crafts, Pleasant Hills, S.C.
Education: 1987, Andrews High School, Andrews, S.C.; some technical training at Williamsburg Technical College, Kingstree, S.C., and Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Georgetown, S.C.
Diversions: Operating the restaurant she and her husband own and traveling. “My husband is Greek. He moved here about 13 years ago, so we travel back home to see his family as often as we can.”
Family: Husband, Tony; son, Brice, 13
Favorite book: “Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box,” The Arbinger Institute
If a movie were made about your life, who would you cast to play you? “Probably Reese Witherspoon. She’s fun and quirky.”
Connections: 2302 High Market Street, Georgetown, S.C. 29440, 843/527-0873, deedeekagias@glasspro.net, www.glasspro.net

 
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