Kika Young has been selected as one of the Register Star's People to Watch in 2018. See the full list and complete coverage in Sunday's edition of the Register Star.

ROSCOE — Kika Young hopes to one day run the precision gear company founded by her grandparents, Stetler and Evelyn Young. 

She knew from a young age she wanted to become part of the Forest City Gear legacy and the top spot is in sight for the company’s director of human resources and corporate administration.

After years of doing tasks like painting, sweeping and maintenance work, she’s now in charge of work that includes hiring, communications, and facilities maintenance.

"It would be an honor to continue on this great legacy for my grandparents and parents," she said. "In my mind, to be able to continue on that path (with) the third generation would be something I would really enjoy doing."

Forest City Gear employs about 100 people. The company produces gears for tractors, aircraft, telescopes, exam tables and prosthetic limbs.

The company is well known for producing parts for the Mars rover. That includes the Mars 2020 rover that will launch in 2018 and arrive on Mars the same year.

Young graduated from Keith Country Day School. She received her bachelor’s degree in business management and a master's degree of business administration from Rockford University.

After working part-time for the company for a decade, she became a full-time employee in 2009, the same year she received her M.B.A.

Susan Vela: 815-987-1392; svela@rrstar.com; @susasnvela