Working over 15 years for Pella, Leonard now Plant Manager for Carroll location

In 2007, when Danielle Leonard started as customer service representative for Pella, she never envisioned stepping into her current role.

“That wasn’t ever anything that I had on my mind, nor did I have it all planned out,” Leonard said.

Because of the surrounding co-workers and leaders, she said Pella often encourages other employees to learn how they can add value in different ways.

In May, Leonard stepped up as the new Plant Manager for the Pella manufacturing plant in Carroll. Previously, Leonard was the Production Manager for the Carroll location.

“I want to continue the tradition that the Carroll plant has been traditionally known for, as well as continue being involved in the community,” Leonard said.

The Pella Corporation is a window and door manufacturing company headquartered in Pella, Iowa. According to the Carroll Chamber of Commerce’s website, the Pella plant in Carroll is one of the biggest employers for the city.

While working at Pella, Leonard attended William Penn University for its College for Working Adults program.

“I did that at night while working during the day,” Leonard said.

As she climbed the ladder, Leonard said one of her professional goals was to become a Plant Manager.

“Pella is very good about helping people understand what they want to do in their career and helping them get into positions for that,” Leonard said.

In her role, Leonard said she helps support the entire plant, ensuring team members are safe and feel welcomed in the workplace.

For her first Pella job in the late 2000s, Leonard took calls from customers. She stayed in the customer service department for 11 years, fulfilling various roles.

In 2019, Leonard transferred out to the manufacturing plant in Pella, Iowa, working as the Scheduling Manager.

She landed in her current home of Carroll in 2022, where she worked as the Production Manager.

Leonard said her favorite question is “What’s your favourite part about working at Pella?”

Her answer is always the same: “The people.”

“This is truly a family feel,” Leonard said. “It’s a people focused company, I truly care about the people that I work with and I feel that they care about me as well, both personally and professionally.”

Looking at her previous co-workers from customer service, Leonard said she continues to call them friends to this day, even though they don’t live in the same city anymore.

Through the Pella Rolscreen Foundation, representatives from Pella can be seen providing large checks to different recipients in the Carroll community, whether it’s the fire department or the childcare center.

The company also offers the Pella Corporation Staff Member of the Month, a monthly monetary award to a school staff member, which they can use towards any school-approved items.

“That’s probably one of the favorite things that I get to be a part of now, is to see how we give back to the community that we have a plant in,” Leonard said.

Originally from Wyoming, Leonard said her mother’s family lives in Iowa, which prompted her move to the Hawkeye state.

Alongside her husband, Shawn, she said they enjoy the large amount of outdoor activities and resources provided by Carroll.

Together, they enjoy playing both golf and disc golf, going on walks and trying restaurants in different towns.

Given the opportunity to continue calling Carroll her home, Leonard said she’s extremely thankful.

“I’m excited to be in this position, to be a part of the community, to be a part of Pella,” Leonard said. “I’m excited that I get to stay in Carroll.”