Mike Leiss considers himself a hard worker, and his career at Honda so far proves him right.
After starting at Honda as a contingent driving a buggy to deliver parts to the production line and soon working as a production associate, he was hired as a full-time Honda associate at the Anna Engine Plant (AEP) in 2017. Leiss advanced quickly, taking only a few months to become a team leader at AEP. Eight months after that, Leiss joined the Honda Involvement Program (HIP) team and helped teams through the NH Circle process, worked as a training facilitator, office support and more.
“At Honda, you have tons of opportunities. Obviously, it’s what you make of it. Honda has been good to me. I’ve learned a lot during my short time at Honda.”
Leiss also took advantage of Honda’s tuition reimbursement program and obtained his associate degree in business. “I was going to school part time and interning at the City of Piqua for 10 hours a week during the day,” he said. “During that time, I was the lead on an NH Circle project and working full time at Honda at night. Looking back, I wonder how I did it.”
But Leiss made it through and is planning to return to school soon to earn his bachelor’s degree.
“At Honda, you have tons of opportunities,” he said. “Obviously, it’s what you make of it. Honda has been good to me. I’ve learned a lot during my short time at Honda.”
Leiss continues to expand in his knowledge of the company. “About a year ago, I transferred from Anna to the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) for something new,” Leiss said. “Building vehicles instead of engines is something new and exciting for me. I always knew one day I would transfer to one of the auto plants.”
At ELP, Leiss has been doing more HIP work in the Paint Department, but recently started learning a new job — cost budget controller and business planning lead.
Leiss also learned about the joys of volunteering through the HondaGo program. He arranged several activities through HondaGo and made volunteering a priority in his life. Leiss’ volunteer experience includes park maintenance, stocking shelves at food pantries and even filling a barn with fresh hay.
“It’s a great feeling to help in the community and meet new Honda associates.”
“One of my favorites was volunteering for Invention Convention,” he said. “The children come up with inventions, and I was a judge. It’s so much fun because the children are so proud of their projects.”
Volunteering had always been something Leiss wanted to get involved in, and thanks to Honda, he now dedicates time to give back through the HondaGo Volunteer program. “It’s a great feeling to help in the community and meet new Honda associates,” he said.
Outside of Honda, Leiss enjoys traveling and hanging out with his friends and family. His most recent trips have taken him to Hawaii and Banff National Park in Canada. He also has been spending a lot of time training his new puppy, Charlie, a mini dachshund.
It’s all part of his journey, including the great opportunities he has taken advantage of while working at Honda.
