Steve Switalski

As a resident of Santa Cruz County for over 25 years, Steve saw joining the Hermosa team as an opportunity to be part of something that could improve the trajectory and wellbeing of his own community. Five years later, Steve reflects, “When the opportunity to work for South32 came up, it seemed like a really good chance to take, and so I went for it and have been here ever since.”

As Principal, Financial Analysis at Hermosa project, Steve works closely with his peers on internal budgets and leading monthly financial reporting. Through peer-to-peer collaboration, Steve compiles the project’s financial reports to share with both South32 and his coworkers at Hermosa. His goal is to compare Hermosa’s monthly spending to the project’s budget across all departments. Steve works closely with his teammates to analyze their spending, help them understand what their cost drivers are, and provide background knowledge to help them effectively manage business costs.

Steve has always liked working with numbers, so balancing project-wide budgets and spending appealed to him. An unexpected aspect of the job for Steve was the opportunity to build meaningful relationships. “I have a much deeper personal connection with people now, and I enjoy that much more than I would’ve ever expected or hoped for. That’s been a huge benefit for me,” he adds.

Before entering the mining industry, Steve worked in manufacturing, which eventually led him to a job in Nogales, Mexico. When he took the job with South32, mining was an entirely new field for him and he’s still learning new things every day. Steve has been able to embrace this ongoing learning mindset as he’s continued to gain expertise – something that he looks forward to sustaining as he supports Hermosa for years to come.

What does Steve enjoy most about Hermosa? The collaborative environment, which he believes should exist in more workplaces. Steve adds that he and his colleagues feel like they’re part of one team with a common goal of developing Hermosa in the best possible way for the surrounding community. For him, South32 has proven that “there’s a strong desire to advance people’s skill sets and to really have people grow within the company, not necessarily for the company’s benefit, but for their own careers.” Steve says he is eager to watch both his teammates and the project grow. “You’re going to see a big change in the lives of our community members, and that’s really exciting,” adds Steve.

For those interested in working in the industry, Steve encourages them to keep an open mind and show up ready to learn. Every day poses its own set of challenges and successes, and being patient while also receptive to change is the key to success.

As a longtime member of the local community, Steve and his wife have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of living in Santa Cruz County, including the good weather and abundance of outdoor activities that keep them busy. Another highlight for his family is their proximity to Mexico, where his wife was born and raised. Together, they enjoy visiting family in Mexico and dining at some of their favorite restaurants. Steve additionally notes how fantastic the Santa Cruz County school system has been for their three children – with a special shout out to the teachers and coaches who care for and educate future generations. Steve’s enthusiasm for the project and his community are unmistakable, and we are fortunate to have him as an example for what it means to be a part of our Hermosa team.

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