Vonda White: An Adventure from Military to Motherhood to Manufacturing

Vonda White has always been drawn to adventure.

Growing up in the North Carolina mountain town of Brevard as the oldest of four girls, she was eager to see the world beyond her family’s farm. Right out of high school, she enlisted in the military, despite her parents’ reservations. Basic training took her to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where she quickly learned the importance of teamwork and resilience.

“It was hard, but not too hard for me,” she recalled.

In her role in supply and logistics, White handled everything from M50s to M16s, ensuring weapons were ready for deployment. Her work often placed her in armories, where she managed equipment distribution, repairs, and cleaning.

“It was an amazing experience, learning how everything fit together,” she said.

A standout moment came during her time at Fort Lee in Virginia, when she trained alongside the elite 82nd Airborne Division. Although she wasn’t a paratrooper, the group adopted her as one of their own, cheering her on through grueling runs and challenges.

“They taught me to keep up—even though I hated running,” she recalled with a smile.

White’s military experience influenced not only her life, but also inspired her son’s path. As a child, he would dress up in her fatigues, and at just four years old, he confidently told her he wanted to be a Marine. Today, he’s fulfilling that dream, and White couldn’t be prouder.

“I’d like to think I inspired him,” she said, reflecting on how her own journey shaped her family’s values of service and resilience.

After raising her children, White eventually moved to Seneca and noticed an opportunity with BASF ECMS’s apprenticeship program. Despite her initial hesitation about returning to “school,” she enjoyed the program, where instructor Bill made even the most technical lessons engaging.

“The tours were a favorite for me,” she shared, especially fascinated by the site’s intricate scrubber systems.

For White, each step—from the military to motherhood to manufacturing—has been about exploring new paths and working together.

“The world doesn’t revolve around you,” she said. “It’s everyone working together all the time.”