Employee Promotion Spotlight: Dakota Plank

One of the things we pride ourselves on at NewStream Enterprises is promoting from within. Dakota Plank’s career at NewStream is a great example of that. In 2021, he started at NewStream as a packaging specialist in Single Parts Packaging (SPP). He then quickly found a role as a setup specialist before moving on to material specialist. In 2022, Dakota earned a promotion to second shift group leader for SPP. When SPP moved to Pythian and the shifts merged, Dakota became the material specialist group leader role. Most recently, he’s been promoted to SPP warehouse supervisor.  

According to Christian Winfield, his supervisor, “Dakota has consistently pushed himself to grow, always showing a willingness to take on new tasks, accept accountability, and adapt to new challenges.” Since joining NewStream, he’s made many substantive contributions to the company. These include creating a system to help maintain our woodshop material, figuring out a solution to the SPP dunnage issue, and spearheading several successful processes changes that have improved the quality of SPP’s outbound loads. “Throughout all of this, Dakota has developed his own unique style of leadership that emphasizes servant leadership, dedication to the team, but also having fun and being genuine,” says Christian.  

Want to learn more about NewStream’s SPP warehouse supervisor? Read on for a Q&A with Dakota Plank. 

NewStream Enterprises: What did you do prior to working at NSE?  

Dakota Plank: I worked at SRC Electrical before I was transferred to NewStream temporarily to help with the new Single Parts Packaging account. But once I was over here, I wanted to stay because of the culture NSE has to offer. 

NSE: Tell us about your new role.  

DP: I support both the production and setup teams, making sure they have the resources and coordination needed to be successful each day. 

NSE: What are your goals for your new position? 

DP: To obtain accurate inventory counts and verify bin locations for FPT and FUSO accounts. 

NSE: Describe a project you worked on at NSE that you’re proud of. 

DP: Moving the entire FPT and FUSO accounts out of the Pythian Two building in three weeks. 

NSE: What’s your favorite part of working at NSE?  

DP: No matter the level of employee, all voices are heard and valued in daily decision making and for the future of the company. 

NSE: How has NSE contributed to your professional growth?  

DP: The leadership classes NSE has provided helped me develop in many ways—both  professionally and personally—allowing me to consistently improve for my team. 

NSE: What do you like to do in your free time?  

DP: I enjoy riding twisty backroads on my motorcycle and playing video games.  

NSE: What’s your guilty pleasure snack or dessert?  

DP: Chocolate milk. 

NSE: Do you have a nick name? What’s the story behind it?  

DP: Dakooter Scooter. I ride a motorcycle, and my team just came up with it out of the blue and it stuck. 

NSE: What would you do if you won the lottery?  

DP: Buy my wife a house and let her retire.  

NSE: What’s a surprising or interesting fact about you?  

DP: I built a computer from the base up, but I’m lacking in the programming side of computers. 

NSE: What are you most excited about in taking on your new role as warehouse supervisor?  

DP: To actively grow in my personal and professional capacity, mentor and empower team members, and drive improved coordination and efficiency across operations at the Pythian facility.