Meet Beth Juran, isol8 Business Manager

What is your role at isol8?

Business Manager

When did you join isol8?

July 2019

How did you come to work at isol8?

My husband and I previously owned a business selling advanced materials, and one of the services we offered was precision machining. We happened to be located down the street from isol8’s US facility in Port Townsend, not far from Seattle. When Bill Lowry, isol8’s Chief Technical Officer, was looking for material online, he realised that our company was an ideal supplier in close proximity. So we connected, and isol8 became a valued customer of ours. Later, when we closed our business, Bill reached out to me for employment, and I was delighted to become a member of the isol8 team. I started out as Payroll Administrator working part-time, and then progressed to my current full-time position as Business Manager.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

My role is extremely varied and I wear multiple hats! I provide support for QHSE; finance and cash flow; HR and business admin; procurement, shipping, equipment/inventory management and other shop operational needs. Every day is a new day with new priorities so I shuffle my duties as necessary to get the job done.

What is the best thing about working at isol8?

What I love most are the people I work with, both in the US and in Scotland. Everyone is so experienced and knowledgeable of this industry. They are very professional, committed and most importantly fun! The teamwork is impressive and the positive synergy is refreshing.

What other jobs did you do previously?

When I was young, my lifelong goal was to become a teacher and I obtained a teaching degree in special education. I went on to manage work centers for adults with learning and physical disabilities, and I also worked as a teacher for young people involved in the justice system.

When the love of my life (my high school sweetheart-turned-husband) and I trucked across the USA after he bought a machine shop in Port Townsend, my career took a new direction and I spent 12 years working as a mortgage loan officer before going on to work full time in our company where I was pretty much the President! 😊

Our company sold speciality metals and other advanced materials (crystals and engineered ceramics) to the aerospace, military/government, oil and gas, R&D/ universities, and commercial industries. Once, my husband and I were even voted Business Leaders of the Year for Jefferson County.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Snow skiing, hiking, water skiing/boating, camping, reading, cooking healthy organic food, and attending concerts and sporting events. I love to work in my yard and am known in my neighborhood for my beautiful green grass and immaculate yard.

I also loved being involved with school and community volunteer activities as my kids were growing up and was a ‘team mom’ for 18 years! I became a master fundraiser and sat on the Board of the Port Townsend Education Foundation, raising funds to support local schools.

Quick Fire Questions

Favourite food? Pizza

Last movie you watched? Licorice Pizza

Most used emoji? 😊

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Hidden talent? I can still do cartwheels at age 62!

Favourite holiday? Christmas

Invisibility or super strength? Super strength

Number cups of coffee a day? Only 2 and never after breakfast. I’d be up all night!

Little known fact about you? It’s no secret that I love wine, and we used to have a wine cellar at home that could hold 750 bottles!

Interested in finding out about the rest of the isol8 team? Visit our People page to see who's who.