GenCell Energy People Power: Interview With Daniela Ben Horin
GenCell is a full opportunity employer who encourages all employees to maximize their potential; meet Daniela Ben Horin who, in response to her initiative and dedication, was promoted to work on the production floor.
Q. Hi Daniela, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
A. I was born in Tunisia and came to Israel in 1949. I grew up in the town of Safed in the North of Israel and then served in the Israeli Defense Forces, when I lived on a Kibbutz and took care of children in the communal children’s house. Upon receiving training at a seminar for youth counselling, I worked with young people in development towns. I later married and raised five children and worked for many years in the life insurance field.
Q. How did you come to work for GenCell?
A. After my retirement, I sought a new opportunity in which to invest my time and energies. I learned that GenCell was looking for a sanitation employee to take responsibility for cleaning the offices and production facilities. Although I was past retirement age, GenCell recognized my high motivation and commitment and gave me a chance to prove that I could do the job.
Q. What are your responsibilities?
A. I am responsible for maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in the GenCell laboratories and production facilities. As the company complies with rigorous Quality Assurance and Sustainability Objectives and production best practices from design through equipment retirement, including using energy efficiency measures, recycling of waste materials and safe disposal of hazardous materials, I have to follow strict procedures and use prescribed cleaning materials and protective clothing in my work.
I started out filling only general cleaning tasks, but as I learned more about the company and took interest in the other kinds of work being done here, I was promoted to be a part of the generator production staff. I received training to operate the press machines, cut spacers and sanitize the cathodes and anodes. I was also given the opportunity to participate in English classes.
Although I am not a scientist, I have learned a great deal about fuel cells, chemicals, electricity and good manufacturing procedures. Working with the many different professionals who are involved in our complex manufacturing processes is fascinating and I learn more new and interesting skills each day.
Q. What interesting incident can you share with us from your work experience?
A. Frequently GenCell hosts tours of the production facilities by important visitors from well-known companies and research institutes from all over the world, all of whom speak different languages. The managers have on occasion introduced me to different guests and given me the opportunity to entertain them with a joke or two; it has given me a chance to use the English I have learned in our classes.
Q. What is special about working for a renewable energy company?
A. I feel lucky to be part of an organization that is working to prevent pollution and bring clean energy to the world. I tell my children and grandchildren that the generators we produce are helping to protect the environment so that the world will be a safe place for them to raise their children.
Q. What message do you want to share with the GenCell community?
A. Working for GenCell has given me a unique opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. From my experience at GenCell, I have realized that it is never too late to learn and acquire new skills. People at GenCell treat each other like a family and I am happy to be a member of this great crew.
