The Manufacturing Institute will honor two Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. associates with Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Awards for 2017.

Melissa Ross, director of project management and capital planning for Goodyear’s North America business, will be recognized as a STEP Ahead Honoree and Mbeke Perez, process safety management engineer at Goodyear’s Houston chemical facility, will be recognized as a STEP Ahead Emerging Leader. Perez was recently promoted to engineer associate.

Ross has held a series of engineering and project management roles at Goodyear, serves as a mentor for millennial Goodyear associates, and has helped enhance a co-op program in Goodyear’s Global Engineering group, Goodyear said. Ross is also involved in the Community Leadership Institute and is a member of Women Who Care Medina, an organization that raises funds for local charitable organizations.

Dedicated on process safety, Perez has significantly improved numerous processes and systems within Goodyear’s Houston plant. She is also a part of the plant’s Associate Activities Committee, which engages Goodyear associates and the community.

“We are proud that The Manufacturing Institute has once again chosen to recognize Goodyear associates with STEP Ahead Awards this year,” said Steve McClellan, president, Goodyear Americas. “Both Melissa and Mbeke began their careers at Goodyear and have made their mark on the company through their innovative thinking, strong leadership and engagement in both the company and the community.”

“I hope this award not only honors the recipients but also inspires the many other women who work in STEM-related roles at Goodyear,” McClellan adds.

This is the fifth year of the STEP Ahead Awards program and winners will be recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C., in April.