Chloe Leighty is the Operations Assistant and Social Media Manager at Kaser Blasting & Coatings in Lincoln, Nebraska, but she works out of her home in Denver.
Leighty routinely keeps Kaser customers and fans interested in the facility's latest projects and accomplishments in various social media posts, with a keen eye for imagery and short updates, a rarity in the finishing and coating industry.
How did you get your start in the finishing industry?
My sister went to college with — and later worked for — Jase Kaser, General Manager of Kaser Blasting & Coatings. One day, he mentioned he was looking for someone to run his social media accounts, and she suggested me. I started by freelancing for him a few hours a week. Three years later, I'm a full-time Kaser employee.
What do you enjoy best about the industry?
I've jumped around between academia, nonprofit work, and the corporate world for most of my adult life, so the thought of a workplace governed by strict production schedules was eye-opening. It turns out I like it. Who knew that projects could have definitive, non-negotiable end dates?
Is your glass half-full or half-empty?
As long as it's root beer, I welcome another pour either way.
What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?
I would take my sketchbook for entertainment, a heavy blanket because I'm always cold, and my outdoorsiest friend for the wilderness savvy.
What was your favorite subject in school?
The art room felt like home. Band and language arts were close runners-up.
What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
I once was a guest at a multi-course meal in China involving a parade of (delicious) dishes with ingredients I couldn't identify – at minimum, there were various mollusks and mushrooms I'd never seen before. I've also eaten cheese with a rind created by a colony of tiny bugs. They were still present, active, and visible as the cheese was consumed.
Do you collect anything?
Small animals. I have two cats and two hamsters at the moment, with dreams of dogs, goats, and chickens down the road.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm one of those introverts who realized they really missed people during last year's Covid lockdowns.
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Scent for sure. It's a blessing and a curse.
Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous?
I'm related to Belgian-born French novelist and playwright Félicien Marceau. I think that's as close to fame as anyone in my family has ever come.
What do you do to keep fit?
Yoga, west coast swing dancing, and arguments with strangers on Facebook.
Does your family have a "motto" – spoken or unspoken?
My parents taught me to question everything. It's possible that they now regret having taught me that, but I'm grateful.
If you were ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce?
I'd establish strict measures against animal cruelty of any kind. Then, I'd find my own successor and abdicate as fast as humanly possible.
What three things do you think of the most each day?
Blasting, powder coating, and the oxford comma.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Warning: Will Start Crying if You Do.
What song would you say best sums you up?
Record Player by Daisy the Great.
What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
I would love to buy George Saunders a cup of coffee. He writes the most compelling short fiction I've ever read. I have a lot of questions about his process.
What's the most interesting thing you can see out of your office or kitchen window?
I work remotely. My home office window faces Speer Boulevard in Denver, which, it turns out, is a hotbed for human drama. I've seen wrecks, fights, heart attacks, parrots on leashes – you name it.
On a scale of 1-10, how funny would you say you are?
My ability to crack a joke hovers around a 2, but my appreciation of a good joke is always at a 10.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I cling to the thought of a future in which I spend my days making things. I just don't know what, exactly.
What was your first job?
I got in on the babysitting hustle in middle school. Not my favorite occupation, but infinitely preferable to detasseling (Nebraska kids will know what I mean).
How many languages do you speak?
Two: French and English. I minored in German, so that's in there somewhere, but the recall is tough.
Who is the most intelligent person you know?
Dr. Joe Goecke at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will use the entire body of early American literature to make you question every assumption you've ever held about civilization, citizenship, and the culture in which you participate.
If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which one would it be?
I'm deeply feline. Something about the sun worship and hard-won loyalty really resonates with me.
What is one thing you will never do again?
Ballet, sadly. My knees have spoken.
Who knows you the best?
I'm coming up on eight years of marriage with a man who truly gets me. I'm pretty lucky in that department.
