Celebrating Four Employees with 65 Years of Experience

It is with great honor and privilege that we recognize Jillian Powers, Barbara Soboleski, Tanya Swanson, and Ana Maria Barrios for their 65 collective years of service at Reade Advanced Materials. They have been stable members of the READE family through Presidential elections, national news stories, and global pandemics, never wavering in their commitment to the READE company or their fellow staff members.

These dedicated women have shown up every day, going above and beyond the jobs asked of them. Often, they would pass on breaks during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure our customers experienced the level of service they are so used to and have come to rely on.

Jillian Powers

Jillian Powers has been a member of the READE team for 13 years. She applied for an opening in sales with no prior industrial chemical sales experience, but READE recognized her potential and hired her as an Administrative Assistant. Over time, her role has expanded to oversee technology and office management. Powers says it was always a dream of hers to work with computers and with IT, and READE made that dream a reality. Working in both IT and office management has allowed her to communicate regardless of whether it’s virtual across the world with customers, with remote employees, or over to the next desk in the office. Powers was asked, “What values of READE do you respect the most and why?” and her reply was “READE has always strived to create and cultivate a strong relationship with customers. We don’t rely on impersonal emails for communication.”

Barbara Soboleski

Barbara Soboleski came to READE 18 years ago. Charles Reade approached her because of her reputation in the chemical R&D industry and asked if she would interview for an opening in our sales department. Today, she is an Account Manager and negotiates raw material sourcing and selling of products to customers for any needs or projects they have. She is the quintessential professional and gives 150% to provide her customers with the superb service they deserve. We asked Barbara about the culture at READE and why it is a great place to work. Her answer… “At READE, we believe in the team approach. Everyone is available to assist you and share their knowledge. It’s a fun, friendly atmosphere to work in.”

Tanya Swanson

Tanya Swanson has held several positions within READE since her start in 2005. She began as an Administrative Manager in READE’s West Coast location in Nevada before transitioning to her current position. Today, she assists Account Managers whenever or however need be, as well as keeping lines of communication flowing between the customers, Account Managers, and suppliers. She is highly organized and is integral in keeping our customers up to date on their orders and related documentation.

Looking back at her 16 years at READE, Tanya shared her favorite memory. “The first time I met Charles and Emily Reade was at Bethany Satterfield’s wedding where Charles Reade performed the ceremony. He was not only the owner of READE and Bethany’s boss, but he was also her dear friend. Emily Reade was helping in any way she could that day. I don’t think I’ve ever met such an admirable couple, even to this day. The relationship between Bethany, Charles and Emily was one of family, friendship, and being there for each other, sharing even the most personal of days.”

Ana Maria Barrios

Ana Maria Barrios started with READE just over 18 years ago when she met Charles and Emily Reade in Panama City, Panama. Prior to joining, she was working in customer service at the Four Point Sheraton in Panama City and the Reade’s recognized her outstanding ability to communicate and provide stellar customer service. Ana Maria was quickly invited to interview for a position on the READE Latin America sales team. Today, she is an integral part of our export sales and is the primary contact in our international office in Panama, handling requests and fulfilling orders from customers in Central and South America and Southern Europe. Ana Maria was asked, “How has the culture at READE made it a great place to work?” Her response… “It is a positive, happy, and empathetic environment where you feel excellent working. There is a positive attitude towards any situation.”

As the READE saying goes, our employees are our greatest asset, and we are thankful for Jillian, Barbara, Tanya, and Ana Maria’s dedication to our company. We are proud to be the type of employer that has been able to retain these valuable women for close to twenty years in each of their tenures. Without the loyalty, trust, and hard work of our employees we would not be where we are today.

ABOUT READE

As a Women Led Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, READE supplies specialty chemical solids for nearly every industry. READE combines their roots in chemistry dating back to 1873 with supply chain expertise and customer service innovation to enable our customers to meet the needs of their manufacturing demands. With an extensive inorganic product line, READE represents over 2,000 manufacturers as a global distributor, value-added toll processor and packager.

CONTACT

Director of Marketing
Elisabeth Law, +1-401-433-7000
Elaw@reade.com