WIN@JM Interview Series Continues: Meet Joni Burton

The Women’s Inclusive Network group (WIN@JM) at Johns Manville regularly publishes stories featuring women across the company. These women have technical responsibility for product lines in each of JM’s three core businesses.  

From the plant floor to strategic supply planning, Joni Burton’s career spans operations, engineering and business leadership. With degrees from Purdue University and Butler University, she has taken on roles across manufacturing, procurement, M&A and international start-ups, bringing a broad, practical perspective to her work supporting Johns Manville Engineered Products’ North American (EPNA) production scheduling and logistics. As she puts it, “Business and life are team sports, and words matter.”

Joni Burton

What is your background?

I grew up in Tell City, a small town in southern Indiana with a population of 7,000. I completed my undergraduate studies in Industrial Management/Industrial Engineering at Purdue University and have an MBA from Butler University.

My first professional job was as a plant production supervisor, and I spent a few years doing manufacturing engineering before transitioning to Production Scheduling and procurement at both the plant and corporate levels. I have done M&A, been involved in international new plant builds and start-ups and worked in Business Planning, which is basically strategic planning, which includes managing a process similar to the AOP for multiple business units, etc.

What does your job entail?

I am responsible for EPNA production scheduling and am the EPNA conduit to NA GP&L, so I am involved in outside warehouse contract negotiations and support the NA plants in vendor discussions, demand needs, etc. The EPNA team is also responsible for forward supply planning, data analytics and more. In Europe, we are currently responsible for external logistics.

Who were important mentors in your life and career?

 I’ve had the support of many people during my career, but Pam Kelly, in HR stands out. I had been in production roles or production support roles for my entire career. I was going through a program called Women Unlimited and became friends with Pam. She asked me what I wanted to do, and I told her I needed business experience. She helped me find a role on the business side. Transitioning from Operations to the business side is not always easy, but she made it happen.

What is the best advice you would give to your younger self or the next generation of women? 

So many learnings – you can pick a few: Family first; say yes to new opportunities/experiences; kindness is free; not everything is the most important – focus on what is the most important; some things are OK to be good enough or not perfect (for all the Type As); words matter; business and life are team sports; life is full of gray and if you live in the black and white it’s going to be challenging, be humble but proud; you never know what goes on behind closed doors, so don’t judge.… so many.

Who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?

My high school calculus teacher, Alan Kramer, told me I should go to Purdue and become an Engineer because I am good at math/good with numbers. My father-in-law told me to start in Operations because very few people on the business side understand how plants work. Both pieces of advice were invaluable.

Tell us about any turning points in your career.

Transitioning from Operations to the business side was a huge turning point. It was enjoyable to be able to apply prior learning in a different environment.

What kinds of challenges have you faced and how have you worked through them?

For many years, I was by far the youngest person and the only woman at the table because of some of the roles I’ve held. I graduated from college in 1989, and not many women worked in Operations Management “back in the day.” I had to develop a thick skin, and it was lonely.

Describe your ideal weekend.

I like to be outside, either walking our dogs or working in the yard. Upon retirement, I plan to start playing golf, tennis, or pickleball, do some bicycling, and enjoy other outdoor activities.

What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?

My Mom was one of 11 children, and my maternal grandfather was also one of 11, so I have a huge family. Holidays can get a little chaotic. My husband once asked me how I was related to someone who always showed up at family events. We aren’t related, but he is a friend of my uncle’s who got adopted into our huge family. We have acquired a lot of those over the years.

Also, I have five girlfriends from high school who go on an annual girls’ trip… some of us have been friends for over 50 years…. The newbie has been a friend for 47 years.

Where would you most like to travel to and why?

We are going to South Korea end of March for the cherry blossoms. I am really excited about the trip. We plan on travelling more in Asia now that we will both be retired.

Do you have a personal aspiration you’re working toward?

After retirement, I want to breathe for a while and then pick my next focus area. Also planning a massive family reunion this summer, which will take time.

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

I’ve never met a perfect person, but I have met a lot of people who think they are. (My Grandma used to say this).

For some things, it’s okay if it's good enough. Many people, especially women, think they must be perfect. It’s okay not to be.

Women think that if they keep their heads down and work hard, good things will come. Own your career, health, decisions, life, etc. and make things happen, don’t just accept what comes your way.