MHI Solutions Improving Supply Chain Performance
Linda Lasure
Gray Murray
The people who work at MHI and its WERC division are the gears that keep the association moving. They ensure MHI continues to be a valuable association and resource for people involved in the industry and do so with wit, competence and a smile on their face. The goal of this column in MHI Solutions magazine is to give readers a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes at MHI and “meet” the people who make it a successful hub for everyone involved in the material handling industry.
For this issue, Linda Lasure and Gray Murray give us a peek into what they do, how they do it, what drives them and what makes them happy after a long, productive day at work.
Linda Lasure
Industry Group Coordinator
Why were you attracted to MHI and to this industry as a career choice?
I came into the industry by accident—I moved to Charlotte from Cincinnati and lost my job shortly after. I went to work for a member company, was introduced to automated material handling and found it fascinating.
What do you think are the best skills you bring to your position at MHI?
My entire career has been in the services industry in one form or another. I love helping people and really enjoy helping them make connections. I am uniquely gifted at talking to strangers and am very good at helping people feel at ease. I am also very curious and want to know what makes people “tick.”
What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in your role at MHI in the next year?
One goal would be to meet as many members in my Industry Groups as possible, including face‑to‑face. I enjoy meeting people in person. I want to improve my industry knowledge, bring more members into our groups and find creative ways to increase member value.
What aspect of the industry is most intriguing to you?
For me, there is not one particular area that is most intriguing, with one exception: software. Nothing runs without software! I am a “big picture” kind of person—I like to see the whole puzzle and how all the pieces fit together.
What is the last book you read?
Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia. It’s about longevity and things to do to have quality of life as you age. I am “getting up there,” so I want to age in the best possible way for as long as I am given.
What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?
It would be playing soccer, if I could have done that forever. I enjoy exercise in one form or another. I like being outside/outdoor recreation and sporting events, listening to music and working in my gardens. Spending time with dogs is also a happy place.
What is your favorite sports team?
The Bengals, Bearcats, Reds and Redhawks—all teams in Cincinnati. My dad indoctrinated us early on and we’ve stayed faithful. My first job was hawking peanuts during the 1976 Reds World Series season, so I watched a lot of games for free!
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Although not an official holiday, I love Daylight Savings. I love to be outside and when the time moves forward, then Spring is here, and Mother Nature will be blooming. During Daylight Savings, there’s more daylight for doing things after work, which is my workout time, leisure time with dogs, being in the garden or socializing.
Gray Murray
Vice President of Finance
What’s a typical day like for you?
In my role as VP of finance, there is no typical day. I do have repetitive tasks that occur each month like closing the financial books, but each month and day bring new challenges. If I am not working on preparing financial statements, I could be doing anything from managing our annual audits, working with our property manager on maintaining our commercial rental property in Charlotte, helping facilitate our annual budget process or even just helping research financial transactions for MHI teammates who have questions.
What gives you the greatest sense of accomplishment (professionally) at the end of the day?
At the end of the day, I feel most accomplished knowing that my work allows others to do their jobs more effortlessly. That could be anything from providing accurate financial information to senior management to help them make the best decisions for the organization and our members, to helping process a last‑minute vendor payment so a product or service can be provided to our members on time.
What was your first impression of this industry, and has it changed since then?
Before entering the industry, my initial thoughts were that material handling was just old warehouses with forklifts and racks of things. After spending time learning about what material handling really is, my impression could not be more different. I am blown away at the technology and innovation that occurs in the industry. I still find it unbelievable how much brainpower it takes to get a product from point A to B, all while using so many products that our members are designing and manufacturing.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your position at MHI?
I bring an eye for detail and a willingness to get the job done. Accuracy is extremely important in any finance role, and I take it very seriously. When numbers need to be investigated, I have a knack for digging into the details. I also truly care about the work I am doing and want to complete the job I set out to do each day. I know how the work I do affects so many others so I want to do the best job I can so that it makes everyone else’s jobs easier.
Do you have any unique skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I was a music major in undergrad, and I play multiple instruments. I still play a lot of music to this day, and it remains my favorite pastime other than spending time with my family. I think this translates into accounting as well. In both music and accounting, you must work under a level of structure and rules, but there is also a degree of freedom and creativity in both disciplines. I think these similarities are why I ended up in accounting as a profession.
What event/excursion (in your life) would you consider adventurous or especially meaningful?
In high school, I spent the summer abroad in Costa Rica before my senior year. I lived with a Costa Rican family who spoke no English. I learned so much about myself that summer. I was forced out of my comfort zone in so many ways but by doing so I left enriched with many lessons learned I still recall to this day.
What is the last book you read?
“Parallel Worlds” by Michio Kaku. I am secretly a huge space nerd, and this book checks all the boxes. Kaku is a theoretical physicist who discusses black holes and multiple universes, as well as his theory of the creation and possible end of our universe. Some of the topics were over my head but it was an interesting read nonetheless.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?
This is a hard question and there are a lot of answers I could give. If I could live anywhere in the world, I’d live on a yacht in the ocean. This would allow me to travel anywhere I wanted with port access. I would be able to “live” anywhere I wanted and when I felt restless, I could move on to the next adventure.