2011 Leader Under 40: Adam Rushing, 32
Facility Operator, BP
Plant Engineering Staff
Adam Rushing, 32 
Facility Operator, BP
Years at BP: Less than 1
Nominator: Grainger
Education: Associate Degree in Process Technology, University of Alaska Fairbanks
About Adam: “I joined the Army as an infantryman and later had to leave the service due to an injury. I did not have much to fall back on other than my work ethic, so I took many different jobs which were mostly along the lines of pounding nails, turning wrenches, or operating equipment. This experience, combined with me being mechanically inclined, piqued my interest in the field of process technology. With some help from the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program, I enrolled in the process technology program as the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Due to BP’s tremendous involvement in the community and school, I figured out pretty early that they were a company that I really could be proud to work for, which led me to my facility operator position today. In my current role, I’m responsible for identifying production process problems and taking safe corrective actions in order to meet business targets and HSE goals. I am constantly identifying maintenance needs and ensuring the facility is a safe and productive environment to work in.” 
Why a career in manufacturing? “I chose this field because it is something that I can and will enjoy doing for the rest of my life as well as being able to provide a decent and steady income for my family. My grandfather used to tell me: ‘If you find a job you love, you’ll never work another day.’ I can honestly say that in my current role with BP, I’ll never have to ‘work’ again.”
Return to the complete list of the 2011 Leaders Under 40.
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.