EVANS CITY — Managing a chemical manufacturing plant and its 130 employees requires a quality that Judy Brinkman has carefully developed during her 32-year career: leadership.

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality, and the ability to motivate others to achieve that vision,” said Brinkman, who is the site manager for BASF's chemical manufacturing plant on Mars-Evans City Road.

BASF maintains a portfolio of products ranging from chemicals, plastics, performance items and crop protection to oil and gas.

The Evans City facility makes a variety of materials used in the manufacture of products ranging from pharmaceuticals, detergents, agrochemicals and personal safety equipment such as self-contained breathing apparatus.

Brinkman has grown and changed in her role at BASF since she began as a production engineer at the company's Freeport, Texas, site. She held various positions of increasing responsibility in management of the Polyamides and Intermediates Complex in Freeport.

She eventually moved to the Evans City plant, where she assumed the role of site manager.

In that position she deals with maintaining health, safety and environmental standards, plus overseeing capital investments, talent development and community outreach.

“I have had the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, gain exposure to different cultures and gain confidence in my ability to adapt to changing environments,” Brinkman said.

She is an active participant in many community activities, including the Leadership Butler County program in 2011.

“I would recommend this program to anyone who is passionate about making a difference in the world today and making it a better place for the next generation,” Brinkman said.

“You learn about local challenges and opportunities facing the community, you develop a network of colleagues to discuss issues you are faced with, and you learn skills to be an effective leader,” she said.

Brinkman said the 22-person leadership class she attended provided insight in two ways.

“It demonstrated to me how diversity is a key component of a successful high-performance team,” Brinkman said. “(The class) was a team of 22 individuals from very diverse backgrounds. In order to reach our goals, we had to identify and utilize the skills of every team member.”

She said the program also allowed her to gain a better perspective about the organizations in the county and how BASF could partner with the agencies to make the county “a better place to live and work.”

As site manager of BASF, Brinkman considers her connection with the community important. She said Leadership Butler County helped strengthen that connection.

“Through LBC, I have established a network of colleagues who have a common goal of making Butler County a better place to live and work,” Brinkman said.

She said the class also encouraged her to serve organizations like the United Way of Butler County, where she is a board member.

“It has also given me the opportunity to speak at the Powerful Connections for Women event,” shesaid.

The United Way-sponsored event is a day conference with workshops that deals with issues of work/life balance, health/wellness, and professional growth skills.

Regarding leadership role models, Brinkman points to Microsoft founder Bill Gates as a leadership icon.

“He had a vision of putting a Microsoft computer into every home, and he developed a plan to turn his vision into a reality,” Brinkman said.

“He placed a high importance on the members of his team and motivated them. Gates has been quoted as saying 'No matter what industry you're in, the people on your team matter most.'”

<B>Family: Two stepchildren and three grandchildren<B>Employment:</B> Site manager<B>Company: </B>BASF<B>Company address: </B>1424 Mars-Evans City Road, Evans City, Pa. 16033<B>What it does: </B>BASF is a global chemical manufacturing company with headquarters in Florham Park, N.J.<B>Number of employees: </B>16,900 in North America, 130 in Evans City<B>Education:</B> Graduate of Texas A & M with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering<B>Community leadership:</B> Board member of the United Way of Butler County<B>LEADERSHIP IS:</B>“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality, and the ability to motivate others to achieve that vision.”<B>INSPIRATION:</B>“He (Bill Gates) had a vision of putting a Microsoft computer into every home, and he developed a plan to turn his vision into a reality.“He placed a high importance on the members of his team and motivated them.“Gates has been quoted as saying: ‘No matter what industry you’re in, the people on your team matter most.’”