Employee Spotlight: Jim Weirich
My name is Jim Weirich, but you’d be forgiven if you didn’t know that even after working with me for a while. That’s because most people call me Shaggy after the Scooby Doo character. I’ve never had a problem with it, so the nickname stuck.
I work as the Senior Quality Assurance Lead for Enstrom. My goal is to keep the inspection process moving efficiently without sacrificing quality or conformance. I know that other departments are counting on us to get everything approved, and so it’s very important that we get our parts and assemblies where they need to be on time.
I’ve held this position for about a year now, but I’ve been with Enstrom since 1989 when I joined the team as a sheet metal worker and assembler. After proving I could handle myself, I transitioned to a new role as a receiving inspector, and then later, I assumed the position of repair station inspector, a position I would hold for more than 20 years!
Before coming to Enstrom, I was born and raised in Marinette. I joined the United States Army right out of high school, working for three years as an Aircraft Structural Mechanic. This experience taught me everything I needed to apply for my first civilian job at Enstrom.
So why have I stuck with Enstrom through more than three decades? Well, perhaps the biggest reason is that I love the company culture. Enstrom is just the right size so that you feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself, but at the same time, it’s small enough to feel like family. We take pride in what we make, and we all work together to build the best product we can. It honestly never gets old watching a helicopter you helped build take off for the first time.
My family is very important to me, and we spend a lot of time together. My wife and I have been blessed with three adult children and five grandchildren who all live within 10 miles of us. Together, my wife and I run a small coffee and gift shop in Marinette called “EnJoy Gifts and Gathering.” I also volunteer as a first responder on the Emergency Rescue squad.
If, after all of that, I somehow manage to still have free time, you might find me out running, riding my bicycle, serving in multiple church ministries, or maintaining our beautiful yard.
About Enstrom Helicopter
From Rudy Enstrom’s early designs in 1943 to initial testing in a Michigan Quarry in 1957 to aircraft operating on six continents, Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has maintained a reputation for safety, value and performance. Based in Menominee, Michigan and proudly made in the United States, Enstrom has a rich history for design innovation. The goal is to provide helicopters to the customer’s exact specification and deliver support and maintenance worldwide.