The People Strengthening America’s Supply Chain
For Carla, supporting the mission of the United States Air Force is deeply personal. “It means a great deal,” she shared. “I come from a military family.” That connection gives even more meaning to the work she does each day helping produce cargo nets used in missions around the world. Over the years, she’s seen firsthand just how real that impact can be. “To see it on the news is awe-inspiring,” she said. “I have friends who have used the nets I’ve made in missions.” Knowing the products she helps create directly support military operations gives her an incredible sense of pride and purpose.
Made in America and Creating Opportunity
Carla believes it’s important that this work happens here in the United States for more than one reason. “It means more jobs for people with disabilities,” she explained. “The majority of our nets serve U.S. forces, so to have them made in the U.S. is that much better.”
For Carla, American manufacturing strengthens the supply chain while also creating meaningful opportunities for people who are often underestimated.
More Demanding Than People Realize
One thing Carla thinks would surprise people is just how physically demanding the work can be. “How heavy they are,” she said when asked what most people wouldn’t expect about the nets. That makes the advancements in technology and modernization especially important.
“It’s made it a lot better,” she explained. “I have cerebral palsy, so certain motions can be difficult, and now it makes things a lot easier on me.” The improvements in equipment and processes haven’t just increased efficiency, they’ve made the work more accessible and helped employees succeed in ways that may not have been possible before.
Quality Matters
For Carla, quality isn’t just about doing good work, it’s about safety. “Quality means a great deal,” she said. “If the webbing is bad, it won’t hold the cargo and could cause an accident.” That understanding drives the attention to detail she brings to every task.
“It limits the risk of accidents in the field,” she explained. Every step matters because the equipment needs to perform exactly as intended when service members rely on it.
Growing Stronger
Working at TAC has changed Carla’s perspective on herself and what she’s capable of achieving. “I found out how much stronger I am than I thought,” she said. “And to not let my own disability control me.”
That growth has helped build confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of her own strengths.
A Team Built on Different Strengths
One of Carla’s favorite things about her workplace is the people around her. “It’s not a cookie-cutter group,” she said. “Everyone has their own talents.” She believes that diversity of experience and ability is what makes the team successful.
“You have to be open-minded,” she explained. “Everyone has something to offer.” That mindset creates a workplace where people feel valued for who they are and what they contribute.
More Than a Job
When asked to describe what her work means to her in one sentence, Carla offered a thoughtful reflection: “Fulfillment might be good, but kindness is better.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that meaningful work is about more than production numbers or processes. It’s about people, purpose, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. And through her work, Carla is helping strengthen both America’s supply chain and the community around her every single day.
