“When David Cipleu (’20) joined Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) a year ago, he was excited to be part of a company that is leading Georgia into the future.
As a Meta Pro at HMGMA, Cipleu isn’t helping build electric vehicles, but he is contributing to something just as vital: employee culture.
Cipleu, who earned a marketing degree from Georgia Southern University, revels in one of his primary roles, which is to boost company morale. He spearheads fun events, like the Tile Mosaic Project, which coincided with the celebration for the first IONIQ 5 electric vehicle model to roll off the assembly line at the Georgia Metaplant. Meta Pros were invited to place their names on puzzle pieces, which came together to reveal a massive image of the car.
“Watching each person find their piece and place it in the puzzle was powerful,” Cipleu said. “It symbolized how every individual’s role contributes to the bigger picture of what we’re building here.”
That sense of collaboration is something Cipleu both fosters and experiences every day.
“Our company culture is very collaborative,” he explained. “We’re in contact with nearly every department, making sure communication is clear and that everyone feels included. It’s what makes working here so rewarding.”
He also designs graphics for the company’s internal news system, sharing information like safety reminders through plant-wide broadcasts on TV monitors located throughout the site.
“Safety is definitely a top priority,” said Cipleu. “I share reminders of the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) you need to wear: your safety glasses, bump cap, your steel-toed shoes. I also share some fun things, like photo collages from any kind of event that went on at the plant.”
Once a student assistant in Georgia Southern’s Athletics Department, Cipleu gained his first real-world experience in digital marketing and graphic design on the Statesboro Campus. He continues to use the skills he learned there daily at HMGMA.
“That role at Georgia Southern was the first time I worked in a professional communications setting,” Cipleu said. “It gave me the confidence and practical experience I needed to succeed in my career.”