Novakinetics Aerosystems/Kinetic Defense offers superior problem-solving and quality manufacturing to build relationships with clients who have performance-critical applications for composites and ballistic protection materials.
The company takes great pride in its craftsmanship and in providing its employees with comprehensive benefits, and with the support of our team, Novakinetic’s employees have them.
Daniel Stinski, the VP of Manufacturing for Novakinetics Aerosystems/Kinetic Defense, was kind enough to share his experience working with us to provide his team with benefits.
Let's Get to Know Daniel Stinski
What do you do for fun?
My two favorite hobbies to hit up for the summer are hiking and fishing. Beyond that, work is fun!
What about work is fun?
Working at Nova is fun because you can create something with your hands. You can put a lot of pride into your work here because it's all handmade. It's all something that you've personally put your own touch on.
Whether professionally or personally, what is one thing you’re proud of that happened in the last 3 months?
One of the things I'm most proud of over the past three months is attending the 50th-anniversary celebration of our biggest customer, Air Tractor. They manufacture modern crop dusters, which play a crucial role in the global food industry. It was an incredible experience to be part of this milestone event and meet the dedicated individuals who have spent their entire careers making sure these planes are the best in the market.
Our company has been supplying parts for their planes for the past 25-30 years, contributing to these aircraft's distinctive look and functionality. Seeing firsthand the history and success of Air Factor and knowing our contributions have been integral to their achievements was both humbling and inspiring. It was a powerful reminder of our work's impact on a global scale.
What advice would you give yourself at age 18?
The advice that everybody else gave me at 18 (that I didn't listen to) is to start learning about money and invest where you can, but also have fun as well. A lot of people tell you to work hard now and play later, but without a good balance, you might not enjoy life as much. I've found that striking a balance between working hard and enjoying life is key.
What’s your favorite season in Flag, and why?
I think my favorite season's probably the fall. It's starting to get cool. You're finally done with the heat. Leaves are changing. Everything's changing. And then you're you're getting ready to move on to the next step!
Learn More About Novakinetics
How long have you been in business?
28 years! We built our first part in 1996.
How many employees do you have?
We currently have 42 employees.
How many years have you been able to offer benefits?
18 years.
What benefits do you currently offer to your employees?
Our benefits package for employees includes multiple health insurance options, as well as vision and dental plans. Additionally, we provide a medical reimbursement account that helps cover expenses not typically covered by insurance, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and psychiatric services. This account grows the longer an employee works with us, offering greater flexibility over time.
We also offer tuition reimbursement for those pursuing further education, covering up to six college credit hours. For personal growth and enrichment, we have a program that funds activities like music lessons, art classes, dance, snowboarding, and even flying lessons. These benefits are designed to support both the professional and personal development of our team members.
The Value of Offering Benefits to Your Team
Why is it important to you to be able to offer benefits to your employees?
Offering benefits to employees is important for a couple of reasons. First, when employees are healthy—both physically and mentally—they are more likely to come to work, enjoy their jobs, and perform at their best. Second, benefits like personal enrichment and tuition reimbursement help employees achieve their own goals and find a good balance between work and life. It gives people a chance to either work towards their own personal goals or it allows them to do what we talked about earlier and have fun and not just focus on work.
What was the greatest challenge of offering benefits to your team?
I don't think we've faced any major challenges in offering benefits to our team because we've always prioritized setting aside the necessary funds, regardless of the company's financial performance. However, one challenge has been getting employees to actually take advantage of the benefits. Sometimes, they forget these benefits are available to them or don't fully realize the value they offer.
What do you love about working with Benefit & Financial Strategies?
Everyone on the team has been so nice and knowledgeable. They go out of their way to explain things clearly and patiently. I am not classically trained in HR, so I sometimes make mistakes or encounter challenges. The team has been incredibly helpful and patient, guiding me through these situations and ensuring everything is handled smoothly.
Interested in Group Benefits for Your Business?
Get in touch with Benefit & Financial Strategies today to learn more about how we can help you provide group benefits for your employees!
Written permission from the individual or entity providing the testimonial or endorsement; the client did not receive compensation.