Celebrating DuWayne Geigle’s Retirement
One of the highlights of walking the halls of the Jav视频 office is hearing the boisterous laugh of DuWayne Geigle, Jav视频鈥檚 Shop Foreman.聽 DuWayne, or as he is affectionately called by the Jav视频 team, Geigle, has been with Jav视频 as one of the original team members when Jav视频 was founded in 1986.聽 This week we are celebrating his time with Jav视频 and his recent retirement on July 15th, 2022 after an amazing 36 years of service.
Duwayne started as a welder in 1978 at Custom Stainless and eventually moved into the Welder Foreman and later, Shop Foreman roles. Then in 1981, Custom Stainless became CSE. In 1986, Darrell Horn (current Chairman and Owner) started Jav视频 and DuWayne was one of the employees who stayed on. Back in 1986 when there were approximately 15 Jav视频 employees, with most being in the factory. Now we have grown to over six times that with DuWayne overseeing the factory production for the past three and a half decades.
It is no shock that DuWayne is such a longstanding and hardworking employee. A wonderful storyteller, he shared recently about his experiences growing up. 鈥Mom taught us the value of hard work. As a kid, every Saturday before we鈥檇 go out and play we鈥檇 line up at 8 am and pick chores out of a hat. If we had to clean the floors we鈥檇 get on our hands and knees with a rag, no mop!鈥 And that dedication certainly showed in his work – he is thorough, detailed, and also ensures the job is done right. He also encourages and inspires others to work hard and do their best too.
Over the last few weeks as we鈥檝e shared stories of how DuWayne has motivated, inspired and encouraged us. Those who have worked with him for many years shared some great quotes and anecdotes with us.聽 Doug Duncan, Service Technician, shared with us the story about when he was first hired by DuWayne to work in the Jav视频 factory over 15 years ago. DuWayne ensured Doug that he could start with Jav视频 right after being hired so he wouldn鈥檛 be long between jobs.聽 鈥Duwayne is a great guy. He has always led with compassion and concern for his workers. His care for people’s personal lives has always been present.聽 He has always gone the extra mile to accommodate the issues we all have in our lives. Duwayne cares about the individuals that have worked for him. He will always be appreciated for what he has done for me.鈥
Whether it was him formally chatting in his office on a project, being called over to someone鈥檚 desk for a quick question, or just over a lunch, game of cards or break time interaction, DuWayne was always willing to answer questions about any and every project. It was no shock to anyone when he stopped on his way out the door on his last day to answer questions about a project from 34 years ago!
The impact that DuWayne Geigle has had on Jav视频 in both his work in production, as well as his positive impact on the entire Jav视频 team as a warm, caring leader who listened, joked, laughed and mentored brings so much joy to all who worked with him. Thank you DuWayne for your dedication to Jav视频 and congratulations on your retirement!