From Intern to Employee: Gary Vinson and Blake Rader's Journey at Covia

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 10, 2025 / At Covia, investing in young talent isn't just about filling positions - it's about cultivating the next generation of industry leaders. Our summer internship program is committed to providing students with hands-on experience and mentorship that can prepare them for their professional future.

Foto: Accesswire

Gary Vinson

Today, we're excited to spotlight two exceptional team members who have made the journey from Covia intern to full-time employee: Gary Vinson, Quality Coordinator and Blake Rader, Associate IT Service Desk.

Gary Vinson

Gary's journey with Covia began after graduating from Michigan Technological University, when he joined our team as an operations intern at our Roff, Oklahoma plant. During his internship, Gary's primary project involved quantifying and mapping the extensive water and slurry line systems across the plant that highlighted his analytical skills and attention to detail.

Overseeing Quality and Compliance in His Current Role

After his internship ended, Gary's experience helped set the stage for his transition into a permanent role. Gary found an opportunity as quality coordinator at Covia's Chardon, Ohio Plant and now serves as the primary liaison for customer requests and inquiries, handling everything from audits to product samples.

Gary's day-to-day work includes tracking key operational metrics such as tons shipped, production levels, and operational efficiency indicators. He also took on added responsibilities to help ensure the plant maintains environmental compliance. These measures range from checking wastewater treatment and monitoring visible emissions to helping Covia ensure responsible environmental operations.

Continued Learning in Operations

While Gary has made the transition from intern to employee, the ability to grow professionally has continued. He considers working alongside veteran team members - some of whom have been at the plant for 48 years - an excellent opportunity to expand his technical expertise.

"Since I've been here, I've pretty much learned a new thing every single day, in both professional development and our production," Gary said. "Everybody on the management team at the plant - have been excellent, thorough teachers the entire time that I've been here."

Looking Ahead for Growth in Chardon

One of the most rewarding aspects of Gary's role has been his involvement in specialized turf projects, such as working on engineered sand products for football fields and country clubs.