Meet Stephanie Laux, the outside plant engineering manager at Kinetic Business (windstream.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Kinetic Business provides premium network solutions through an enhanced fiber network to businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. The company also offers managed communications services, including SD-WAN and UCaaS, and high-capacity bandwidth and transport services to businesses across the U.S.
How did you get started in the business? – I started in this business right out of college. It was my first professional job. I had just graduated from Northwest Missouri State University (Go Bearcats!) and I was eager to jump into the working world. I have now been with the company for 25 years this June and have had many opportunities in different areas of this organization.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – I am a female in a predominately male industry, so I would say that has been the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career. However, the tide seems to be shifting, especially in the past 5-10 years, which is great to see.
Tell us a little about your family. – My husband Jim and I have been married for four years, and we have a mini Brady Bunch with our four children, Morgan, Isabel, Sydney and Easton.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Play golf, read a book, cook and spend time with family.
Who inspires you? – My grandmother Roberta. She had 13 children with my grandfather who was in the Navy, so she often did the parenting alone. After the Navy, my grandfather worked hard to provide for his family as a lineman for the power company, but my grandmother was a source their strength and tremendous faith. She raised her children to know and love God, to love others without judgement, to serve others, and to be kind. If I could be half the woman she was, I consider that a win.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – I have two! “We can do hard things” – Glennon Doule, and “We can choose courage or comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” – Brené Brown.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Crochet or crafting! It’s not really something you do in an engineering department.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Dancing for sure. I am not graceful and look pretty ridiculous dancing, so to have that natural talent would be so fun!
What local nonprofit organization are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I think Lincoln is blessed with many nonprofit organizations to wrap arms around the people in our community. Many of those organizations are supported by the United Way. I believe in their mission to provide multiple organizations with funding to do the amazing things they do and support their work.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst
What is your favorite movie? – The Breakfast Club.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Some of our regular go-to places are Heoya south, El Potro, El Chapparo, Lazlos, Cheesesteak Grill and Ollie & Hobbs!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Jesus, hands down. No question.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Stephanie.laux@windstream.com; windstream.com.