When it comes to leadership, President Dawn Northrop is exemplary. She has spent more than three decades at MJS Designs, growing from what was intended to be a summer job into a role in production management and, ultimately, President. Her dedication to continuous learning, both in the classroom and on the job, has shaped her approach to leadership, as has her unwavering commitment to quality, technology, and exceptional customer service. Most importantly, Dawn has a unique ability to support, inspire, and lead the entire team, fostering a workplace where people can not only grow, but thrive. Her people-focused approach and tenacious spirit have played an important role in helping MJS Designs reach its 50-year milestone, while ensuring the company remains poised for continued growth.
“My favorite job was running our first automated pick-and-place machine. I ran the line for a year in 1994,” says Dawn.
Dawn didn’t set out to work in electronics manufacturing. In fact, she was studying political science and photojournalism at Arizona State University when she first came to MJS Designs for what was supposed to be a summer job. But that summer of 1991 changed the trajectory of her career. She was hired to oversee both purchasing and production, which at the time were combined into a single role as the company was much smaller. That fall, Dawn changed her original plan of returning to school and instead joined the team full-time while continuing her education through night school.
As MJS Designs became busier, Dawn ultimately had to decide whether she would focus on purchasing or manufacturing. Drawn to manufacturing, she chose that path and eventually became the production manager. Over the years, Dawn worked her way through roles in manufacturing, purchasing, sales, operations and leadership before becoming President in 2003, a title she has held ever since.
“I’ve learned a lot by being involved in different areas of the company. I started in manufacturing and eventually moved into operations, sales and company-wide leadership,” says Dawn. “I’ve also learned that you don’t have to know everything. When I didn’t know something, I found people who could teach me. I’m very big on training – for the people here at the company and for myself.”
One of Dawn’s greatest strengths as a leader is her understanding of MJS Designs from the ground up. She has worked her way through nearly every side of the business, gaining firsthand experience in the day-to-day operations that keep a manufacturing company running. Along the way, she ran MJS Designs’ first automated pick-and-place machine and
helped oversee the addition of a second shift, a small but mighty expansion of the company’s operations. She also helped usher in new software tools and product development capabilities as the business continued to evolve.
Dawn has also remained committed to learning throughout her career. She earned her bachelor’s degree while working and later completed her Executive MBA through ASU while remaining heavily involved in manufacturing.. The knowledge and skills she gained in the classroom were applied in real time, strengthening both her expertise and her ability to lead. She even took on sales, despite initially being unsure of her ability to succeed in the role. By stepping outside her comfort zone and proving herself, Dawn gained yet another perspective on the business. She took the advice she often gives to others: be willing to learn, especially when you don’t know something. For Dawn, every new challenge has been an opportunity to expand her knowledge.
It’s just slow, methodical growth. That’s what has helped us through recessions and to still be here after 50 years,” shares Dawn.
When Dawn first joined MJS Designs in 1991, the company was smaller in both size and space, but its core philosophy has remained the same: putting people, quality, and customers at the heart of the business. It’s a philosophy established by Jerry Mohney, CEO, that Dawn has not only embraced but championed throughout her tenure, carrying it with her through every role she has held.
That philosophy also shapes how Dawn approaches growth and hiring. She follows Jerry’s guiding principle of slow, methodical growth – an approach she credits with helping MJS Designs navigate recessions and reach its 50-year milestone. Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the company has evolved thoughtfully over time: investing in new equipment, adding a second production line and shift, and later a third line, adopting new technologies, expanding its services, and bringing on the right people to support that growth. Each step has been intentional, allowing MJS Designs to grow while staying true to the values that have guided the company from the beginning. For Dawn, reaching the company’s 50th anniversary is especially meaningful because it represents not just how long MJS Designs has been in business, but everything the company and its people have weathered together along the way.
“I’m really there to help with anything that’s challenging or new. My role has changed so much over the years – from running a manufacturing line to overseeing operations, sales and now the company as a whole,” says Dawn.
As President, Dawn wears many hats, but one of the most important is providing leadership and support to the managers and sales team. Her responsibilities range from providing guidance to managers and reviewing terms and conditions for new customers to managing sales, overseeing certifications, supporting HR, and managing business insurance. She also attends customer meetings, researches new technologies and processes, and attends industry events and conferences to connect with current and potential customers as well as industry colleagues. In fact, she has spent the last six years preparing MJS Designs for CMMC Level 2 certification which we will obtain this year. Throughout her career, Dawn has also built lasting relationships with many of the same professionals she works
alongside today, both within MJS Designs and externally. These long-standing relationships are a testament to Dawn’s commitment to collaboration and her belief in the importance of building strong connections.
“What really motivated me was the people,” shares Dawn. “I realized that creating jobs and providing stability could be my way of making a difference. That’s always been a goal of mine.”
For Dawn, success as a leader is measured by more than the growth of the business. It’s also measured by the people whose lives and careers she has helped shape along the way. Creating jobs, keeping people employed, providing meaningful benefits, offering competitive wages, and giving employees opportunities to build long-term careers are all important to her. She takes pride in creating a positive workplace where people feel valued and supported, and where they can grow alongside the company. That commitment is reflected in the longevity of the MJS Designs team, with employees who have built careers at the company spanning decades. When Dawn first started, MJS Designs didn’t offer health insurance or a 401(k). Decades later, she is proud that a small company can provide its employees with meaningful benefits and opportunities to build a career.
“Our focus on quality, staying up with technology and customer service. Those three things have always driven us. I think that’s a big part of why we’re still here after 50 years”, says Dawn.
In addition to focusing on the people of MJS Designs, Dawn has emphasized the importance of building and maintaining strong customer relationships. Although many things have changed, from equipment, technology, and services to the company’s building space, the core values have remained the same: responsive, dependable service and personalized attention. The team works closely with customers to understand their specific requirements, takes ownership of their needs, and makes every effort to meet deadlines. Dawn has also prioritized continued investment in technology and equipment, giving MJS Designs capabilities comparable to those of much larger manufacturers. As a result, customers receive the technical expertise and capabilities they need, combined with the responsiveness, attention to detail, and personal connection that define the MJS Designs experience.
“When it comes to the next chapter of MJS, I am most excited about the people,” says Dawn. “It’s exciting to see that transition – to have people who have been a part of MJS for so long and then to see a new generation of talented people coming in.”
In looking ahead to the next chapter at MJS Designs, Dawn is most excited about the people. Over the last year, several talented new team members have joined the company, giving Dawn an exciting opportunity to see what the next generation of MJS Designs can accomplish. For her, the transition is not about leaving the past behind, but building on the strong foundation that longtime employees have helped establish. With that foundation and a talented team moving forward, Dawn believes a lot of great things are on the horizon as MJS Designs begins its next 50 years.
When she’s not at MJS, Dawn enjoys spending time with her family, horseback riding when she can and, perhaps most surprisingly, grooming her four dogs herself. She jokes that a grooming day followed by a trip for pup cups is essentially “a Disneyland day” for her dogs.
For over 50 years, MJS Designs has been a trusted leader in PCB engineering, CAD Layout, assembly and test driven by a commitment to delivering exceptional quality and precision. We partner with industry leaders in the semiconductor, agriculture, medical, commercial, aerospace, and military sectors, providing reliable PCB assembly solutions that bring their projects to life. Learn more about our conformal coating capabilities and how MJS Designs can support your next project by visiting our homepage here.
