LEE-ROWAN ASSOCIATE APPRECIATION BARBECUE

Lee-Rowan first-shift associates enjoying Wednesday's barbecue.

John Marshall, Helen Seabaugh, center, and Norma Korhler, who have been with Lee-Rowan 10, 23 and 15 years respectively, all agreed the barbecue was a very thoughtful gesture by the company.

You always hear there's no such thing as a free lunch. That wasn't the case at Wednesday's fourth annual associate barbecue at Lee-Rowan in Jackson.

Not only were associates from all three shifts treated to a meal catered by Great Boars of Fire, the meal was served by the administrative staff.

Clare Urhahn of the human resources department said, "A lot of us have been out here since around 2:30 this morning. We even had eight people who came from the St. Louis office because they wanted the Jackson workers to know how much they were appreciated."

Urhan said that this gave management a chance to serve the worker instead of the other way around. Urhan added that this was the fourth year for the barbecue.

Although it takes a team effort, Urhan attributes the success of these events to the whole Human Resource Department, especially Dot Berkbigler who coordinated the project.

A canopy provided shade for the tables and chairs set up on the associate parking lot near shipping/receiving. Plenty of meat, salads, beans, chips and drinks were provided. Music filtered through the laughter and chatter as everyone relaxed for awhile. Ice cream bars helped cool the workers before they returned to their stations.

Pat Gillian, vice president of operations at Lee-Rowan, likened the Lee-Rowan operation to farming. "This is one of the few businesses that takes raw materials and turns them into a usable product," he said.

He also added that the associates are the backbone of the organization and without them working as a team nothing could be accomplished.

Gillian came to the Jackson facility in the fall of 1993 and participated in the first barbecue the summer of 1994. He feels events such as these let the employees know they are appreciated.

Lee-Rowan has some type of special event every month as an added way of thanking the associates.