When Dustin Whipple began at L&M Radiator in 2014, he was still in school, just looking for a part-time production gig. His consistent drive to be better each day brought him up the ranks to where he is today, a key leader for L&M’s paint team.
Yankton, South Dakota–There are people who clock in to work, each day the same as the last, and there are people who make it their mission to do better every day. Dustin Whipple, paint supervisor at L&M Radiator’s Yankton, South Dakota plant, is the latter.
“One thing that has always driven me is I always want to be better than my past self,” said Whipple. “As long as I’m trying harder than I was yesterday to be the best person I can be, then I’m on the right track.”
Whipple first joined L&M in 2014, working through the summer while attending college. As he continued with L&M, Whipple gradually took on more and more responsibilities. His initiative paid off. He moved from a summer employee to a permanent second-shift assembler before officially coming on full-time with L&M Radiator in 2018. Just one year later, he was promoted to a team lead position. Though he was off a promotion, it still wasn’t long before he was promoted to backup supervisor.
His path wasn’t entirely linear. Whipple took a two-year hiatus to live in Sioux Falls, seeking a new experience. “I wanted to try something different,” said Whipple. “But when the opportunity came to return, the timing worked out perfectly.”
Today, he’s a paint supervisor, a role he officially stepped into in November 2024.
“At L&M, there is so much possibility to level up,” said Whipple. “It’s remarkable that I was able to start as a part-time helper and grow all the way to a leadership position.”
But it wasn’t just sheer will that brought him to where he is today. Whipple is adaptable, organized, and ambitious, making him a great learner and even better leader. “I feel like I can learn things quickly and figure them out,” said Whipple. “And I always want to improve.”
A Day in the Life of a Paint Supervisor
A typical day for Whipple starts with people, not production. “First thing each day, I check in with everyone and see how they’re doing, if there are any issues,” said Whipple. “Together, we make a plan for the day and go from there.”
As the day moves on, Whipple doesn’t just sit behind a desk and bark orders. Though he’s a supervisor, he likes to feel one with his team. “I like to be actively involved,” said Whipple. “I don’t like to manage from a desk. I want to be out there with the team, making sure things are running smoothly and helping wherever I can.”
This approach allows him to do what he enjoys most about working at L&M: connect with other people. “I like working with people, learning about everyone’s different personalities and experiences,” said Whipple. “And I like getting my hands dirty too.”
According to Whipple, L&M’s culture is a defining part of his experience. “It’s very friendly,” said Whipple. “We focus on production, and we really care about our work, but we also have a good time together. That’s a big selling point for me.”
Outside of his day-to-day responsibilities, Whipple has been involved in larger workplace initiatives, such as sitting on the 5S Committee, which focuses on organization, cleanliness, and efficiency. He also attends his fair share of L&M Radiator events, such as the summer picnic, Christmas party, and bowling outings.
Coincidentally, bowling is one of Whipple’s longtime passions. When he’s not at work or the bowling alley, you’ll also find him playing board games, video games like Valorant, working out, or relaxing with music.
For anyone considering a career at L&M, Whipple doesn’t hesitate to recommend it. “It’s a fun environment, and people get along really well,” said Whipple. “It can be fast-paced, but the culture is great, the pay is competitive, and you can really build a career here.”
Whipple’s story is a testament to what’s possible when opportunity meets determination, and when someone is always willing to level up.
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