“That normally wouldn’t be the problem of the maintenance guy,” says Skippy Foods HR Manager Heather Schutt.
Paul doesn’t stand on ceremony when there’s a job to be done. As a member of the second-shift crew, he knows he can play a role in keeping the plant operating as it should.
“We always help on second shift like that so we don’t hold up the problem,” Paul says. “Everybody works together to keep everything running.”
Roger recounts how proud Paul was to receive the jersey, sharing it with his family and making sure to get a picture with his 89-year-old mother, Helen.
“On Tuesday, he wore it to the huddle again and when asked why he had it on, he said, ‘It’s my last day of wearing it, I wanted to enjoy it again before I passed it on,’” he says.
Paul was born and raised 50 miles west of Little Rock. He enjoys riding his motorcycle and come summer, taking care of his lawn and Helen’s. He also has three grown children, all of whom live nearby and helped Paul celebrate with his jersey.
As for his five minutes of fame, Paul admits he’s a private person. Attention and accolades aren’t him, he insists.
As for who he really is, Heather offers insight.
“When he was awarded the jersey, he was also given his five-year service award certificate. The following Wednesday we had cake to celebrate his milestone. Paul asked to say a few words. He reminded his teammates that he shared his hire date with an employee who had passed away tragically in December. He asked everyone to appreciate being here.”
Heather pauses. And then she adds, “That’s Paul.”
Pride of the Jersey is a yearlong effort to celebrate the culture, the people and the purpose of Hormel Foods. Inspired People. Inspired Food.™
