Rhonda Smith has been a part of the Grand River Rubber & Plastics team since June 19, 1986 and nearly four decades later, she’s still going strong. She began her career in D&P fabrication, but Rhonda isn’t someone who stays still for long. Over the years, she explored several other departments including bayonets, grinding, printing, sweeper belts, and eventually CTL, where she has now worked for more than 20 years. “I’ll stay the rest of my time in CTL,” she says. “I like what I do.” Read more about Rhonda’s journey at GRRP below.
Commitment to Safety and Excellence
Rhonda has served on GRRP’s Safety Committee for an incredible 38 years. Safety isn’t just part of her job, it’s something she takes personally. “I always notice things that aren’t safe and address them as soon as I can,” she says. She also leads the annual Safety Basket Contest to get employees engaged and thinking proactively about workplace safety. This truly reflects her leadership mindset and care for her coworkers.
A Leader in Every Sense
Rhonda is proud of many things in her career including the fact that she is approaching 40 years with the company and still genuinely enjoys coming to work. She’s also proud to be the only female in her role in CTL and she does it well. Her energy and straightforward style are part of what makes her successful. “You have to have thick skin to work at Grand River. It’s fast-paced,” she explains. “I have lots of energy. I’m very outgoing and if you’re doing something wrong, I’ll let you know so you can get better.” That drive to help others improve is part of what makes her a natural leader. In fact, when asked what she wanted to be growing up, her answer was simple: “A leader, not a follower.”
Life Outside of Work
When Rhonda isn’t working, she’s outdoors whenever possible. She and her husband Greg have property in West Virginia that they call their “happy place.” They often go there to ride four-wheelers through the mountains, motorcycles, kayak, and take advantage of anything that gets them outside. She also enjoys traveling and spending time at home in Geneva with her husband, their two dogs, and bird.
Strength and Gratitude
Rhonda is also a cancer survivor, something she openly shares as part of her journey. “I feel so blessed to be alive,” she says. Her positive outlook, resilience, and appreciation for life show up in the way she works and leads each day. Nearly 40 years in, Rhonda continues to bring energy, leadership, and dedication to Grand River Rubber & Plastics. She wouldn’t have it any other way. Her leadership and spirit have helped shape GRRP for nearly four decades, and we are thankful for the impact she continues to make every day.
