Blazer Stories
JWCC alumnae Ashley Otto ’14 and Faith Mountain ’17 followed different blueprints for their college journeys, yet both are delivering high-quality work at the same destination—Quincy-based Knapheide Manufacturing.
Ashley earned an associate degree in manufacturing technology at JWCC’s Workforce Development Center. During her training, she interned at Knapheide and joined the company full time following graduation in the shipping and receiving department. While working, Ashley completed a bachelor’s degree in industrial management and applied engineering through Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
By following her own value stream, Ashley advanced into her current role as a Continuous Improvement Engineer, where she has been with the company for more than 10 years. She embodies Knapheide’s “Never Settle” mantra, conducting daily Gemba walks and identifying opportunities to improve production efficiency, enhance safety, and build value for customers.
“John Wood gave me the hands-on foundation I needed to understand how manufacturing really works,” Ashley said. “The skills I learned there—problem-solving, teamwork, and continuous improvement—are things I use every single day.”
Faith’s pathway blended her analytical strengths with her creative interests. She earned an associate degree in communication from JWCC, where she interned with the College’s marketing and public relations office. She then transferred to Quincy University, earning her bachelor’s degree in the same field.
“JWCC helped me figure out how to turn my interests into a career,” Faith said. “The internships and support I received gave me confidence and real-world experience before I ever transferred.”
Faith joined Knapheide three years ago as a Content Specialist, where her work included content creation for the company’s website, video production, trade show materials, and social media platforms. Her efforts to elevate Knapheide’s social media presence and engagement strategy led to a new role Social Media Strategist role.
“I learned early on at John Wood how important it is to communicate clearly and creatively,” Faith said. “Those skills and the connections I made with faculty and staff have opened doors and helped me grow personally and professionally.”
Ashley and Faith are just two of dozens of JWCC graduates helping drive Quincy’s truck equipment industry forward.
JWCC is proud to share the paths of alumni who inspire today’s Trail Blazers. To share your story, contact the College’s Advancement Office at foundation@jwcc.edu. Alumni stories may be featured in JWCC communications and social media channels.