Homegrown
Following the boom and eventual bust of Philipsburg’s lumber and coal industries, our town’s chief exports became the craftsmanship and work-ethic that made it such a solid producer in the first place. For decades, neighboring cities were the beneficiaries as their businesses hired up the bulk of our best and brightest.
It wasn’t by mistake that DiamondBack built our home here in 2003. We were determined to build something different, and knew we needed a different kind of workforce. There’s a sensibility here that’s unique. Not just work-ethic, but a shared spirit of adventure, and a strong pride in doing things the right way. Our area is rich with skilled craftsmen. For too long, many of them had to leave town in search of a workbench.
Mandee Corrigan is a native of Philipsburg, and someone who perfectly represents the town's character and values. As a kid, she recognized that she’d have to work her tail off for anything she wanted; it wasn’t in the cards for her parents to smoothly pave the way. What Mandee wanted, as a 12-year-old, was a pickup truck. Specifically, wisely, a Toyota. She babysat at first, then waited tables in a nearby town. After six years of saving and two behind the wheel of a junker, she got the pickup of her dreams.
Who Cares?
Fresh out of Philipsburg-Osceola high school, after years of juggling multiple side jobs, Mandee started working at a small machine shop in town. Just an entry level job at first, but there were endless opportunities to learn something new. Mandee also has a nature that served her well at that shop. When someone needs help, she’s got to lend a hand. Not to impress, not to get ahead, but because she cares. Some might say too much.
“When I see someone struggling, I can’t help myself. Cause I’ve been there.”
Mandee learned the ins and outs of that shop, and each piece of equipment. When a coworker was behind on their work, she’d stay late until they both could leave. When the cause was malfunctioning equipment, Mandee would crack open a manual to help find a way through. She became invaluable. All Mandee’s caring led to customers, a team, and a supervisor who loved her. In short order, they asked her to run the place.
In The Rider’s Seat
Mandee was no stranger to DiamondBack in our early days. Like most of Philipsburg, she cheered with pride as our young business grew. Mandee even put a DiamondBack on that truck of hers. In 2020, our growth caught up to us. We needed help and we made sure the whole town knew it. When Mandee got word, eight years after becoming a customer, she joined DiamondBack’s team.
“DiamondBack is the first place I’ve worked where I don’t feel limited in what I can contribute or accomplish. My potential isn’t trapped on the production floor.”
Mandee wasn’t the only new face at DiamondBack. We were going through a hiring boom at the time. Still are, really. Always new team members, new roles, new problems. At first, Mandee had the all-important but thankless job of applying weatherstrip. Something she did with expert care. But her nature led to training on one part of the line after another until she knew the whole thing. She couldn’t stand not knowing how to help. Eventually, her team mentality ended exactly where it did before, with a humbly accepted promotion to the cheers of her coworkers. Mandee now runs our PM shift.
Back in 2020, when Mandee walked in for her interview, she noticed something that helped us win her over: a parking lot full of ATVs. There’s a network of trails that run between our factory and Mandee’s home. Our factory, where she happily makes every burden her own. Her home, where her daughters no doubt turn to her just as frequently. Even Mandee needs a break. Every day, rain or shine, she gets it on those trails, in the driver’s seat of her Honda SXS.
“I found out I could ride my SXS to work. That was that. I never stopped.”
