Columbia Industries proudly welcomes Cherilyn Montee as its new Director of Human Resources. Hailing from Texas with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Cherilyn brings 15 years of professional HR experience to the nonprofit organization, having made significant contributions to the growth of several industries in the Columbia Basin.
Cherilyn’s career is marked by remarkable achievements, notably her pivotal role in launching an AutoZone Distribution Center in 2016. In her capacity as the Supply Chain HR Project Manager, Cherilyn played a key role in expanding job opportunities, contributing to the addition of over 300 jobs in the Tri-Cities. Beyond job creation, she spearheaded a groundbreaking People with Abilities program within the Distribution Center. This initiative focused on hiring individuals with special needs for various task positions, a testament to Cherilyn’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
Motivated by a desire to align her professional journey with her personal values, Cherilyn chose to join Columbia Industries. She is particularly drawn to its commitment to inclusivity and the opportunity to contribute to programs that successfully employ individuals with disabilities. Her message to colleagues and the community reflects her passion: “Staffing has become an overwhelming challenge. By expanding the pool of candidates to individuals with disabilities, you will increase retention and change the lives of some great people.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Cherilyn is a proud parent, grandparent, and wife of 21 years to her husband, Mark. She also serves on the board as the secretary for the Columbia Basin Chapter of SHRM. Columbia Industries looks forward to Cherilyn’s contributions as it continues fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity.
