...leads by example at work and through giving.

Stephinee Martinez has found contentment and success by relying on her values.

She recognizes that all her tasks deserve a strong effort whether she’s working at Agropur or maintaining a charitable foundation that benefits students and families impacted by cancer.

“I take pride in what I do -- regardless of what I’m doing,” she said. “I always want to do my best, even when knowing that my best isn’t always going to be the best. I want to do the right thing regardless of who’s looking.”

As Agropur celebrates its 85th anniversary, the cooperative is also reflecting on the dedication of its members and employees who are so crucial to its ongoing success.

Stephinee is among 7,350 employees who continue to push Agropur forward in alignment with the cooperative’s five fundamental values: boldness, communication, integrity, excellence and collaboration.

An employee of Agropur’s plant in Jerome, Idaho, Stephinee started in the shipping office in 2000 and eventually became lead as the department grew. She was recently promoted to her current consulting role as Agropur works through a significant information technology initiative.

“I’m very excited, but I’m also nervous,” she said while preparing for the new position. “I do love learning new things, training people and sharing my knowledge with others, so those are the aspects I think I’m going to love the most.” 

Agropur’s 400 employees in Jerome process 6 to 7 million pounds of milk every day, creating wholesome, consistent cheese and a variety of high-quality dairy ingredients. Jerome’s cheeses include cheddar, muenster, mozzarella, Monterey jack and provolone. Jerome also produces some of the highest purity whey protein products on the market including whey protein isolate, alpha-lactalbumin and glycomacropeptide.

Stephinee went to college to become a teacher, though it wasn’t until she neared the end of her degree path – the student teaching phase -- that she realized she wasn’t cut out for the career. Her mother found an ad for an opening in Agropur’s shipping office and the qualifications seemed to line up with her attributes.   

“I didn’t know whether I would be a good fit,” she said. “The only information I had was from the job description, but I figured, ‘let’s see where it goes.’ I watched where it went and here I am.”

Stephinee enjoys her colleagues and the challenges of the job, which often require math, memory and an ability to keep things organized.

Outside of work, she enjoys travel and adores spending time with her family. She’s a mother to four soccer players, “and I’m the literal definition of a soccer mom,” she said.

One of her greatest passions developed out her most difficult moments. She and her family manage the Sergio Strong Corporation, a foundation named for her oldest son who lost his battle with leukemia in 2017. He would be 31 today.

The foundation fulfills one of Sergio’s goals. While undergoing treatment, he expressed the desire to assist families of cancer patients once he overcame the disease. Stephinee and her family organize an annual soccer tournament in his honor as a fundraiser. The foundation provides scholarships and they deliver gift baskets to patients.

Stephinee’s appreciation for Agropur only grew as she supported her son. She was grateful that Agropur allowed her to work remotely while Sergio received treatment in Seattle.

“I work with some amazing people and they supported me through my son’s battle with cancer,” she said. “While I worried about my son, my job was something I didn’t need to worry about.”

Plant Manager Eric Gracida said Stephinee is a great employee and an even better colleague; she’s always willing to help anyone who needs a hand. She embodies Agropur’s fundamental values every day.

“Stephinee is family at the plant and she has love for everyone who works here,” he said.  “She cares a great deal about the overall success of Agropur Jerome.”

Stephinee said she’s grateful for the opportunities and support she’s received from Agropur. Moreover, she’s proud to work for a company that walks the walk and operates according to its stated principles.

“The core values of a company are so important and Agropur’s values have just as much meaning outside of work,” she said. “They are values I could use with my children.”

Learn more about Sergio Strong at its website: sergiostrongcorp.com