Mr. Michael Easton was born in the "City of Steel," Gary, Ind. He graduated from Hobart High School. The students there are called "Brickies," named after the brickyards in the area.

He recalled, "Most of my classmates were members of the R.O.T.C. which was taught by World War II veterans. It was a program where strict discipline was the rule."

After working with his father who was an expert mason, he was hired by the U.S. Steel Corp. at the Gary plant as a boilermaker. At their peak, employment was 35,000. In 1983 during a plant layoff, Michael pursued a carpentry career, working on many of Chicago's high-rise buildings.

"I was 34 years of age and wanted to be a mechanical engineer so I enrolled at a branch campus of Purdue University," he says. "After work I would attend class in my carpenter garb. It took six years of effort to earn my engineering degree, but it was well worth it."

In 1988 he took his skill to the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in Buffington, Ind. The famous plant was once owned by the U.S. Steel Universal Atlas Cement division. Located on Lake Michigan, it challenged the Northampton plant for the title of World's Largest Cement Plant.

At the plant, Michael was the project engineer, designing and installing new equipment. The plant manufactured a high temperature refractory cement. Then he met and spoke to a high profile businessman, Mr. Donald Trump – yes, "The Donald!" – who had state approval to operate a casino boat.

"I spoke to him a number of times," Michael recalls. "He was down to earth but he had the air of a successful businessman."

With the closing of the Buffington plant, Mr. Easton was transferred to the Lehigh Valley as a project engineer, working on various projects at the nine Lehigh plants. One of his assignments was helping engineer the large Lehigh plant in Union Bridge, Md.

Today, he is the project engineer at Evansville.

"We have a family atmosphere here, I am in the plant daily," he says. "Our supervisors meet each day so we can plan to meet both present and future challenges. Communication is the key. Safety is always a top priority. Each day is always different, we are always busy operating the plant efficiently and conforming to all state and federal mandates."

Mr. Jody Rabuck is the highly skilled mechanical, maintenance manager who works closely with Mr. Easton.

Michael is an avid Indianapolis 500 fan. He saw local hero Mario Andretti win his first and only 500 title. He has been making the trek to the historic speedway for over 40 years.

A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, he has been driving his trusty Harley for 49 years and frequently drives to the plant.

Mr. Easton has been married to the former Patricia Rapo, a former Lehigh Cement administrator for 40 years. The Eastons are proud of daughters Michele, Nicole and grandchildren Richie and Ashleigh. They reside in Whitehall Township.

I found Mr. Easton to be pleasant, amiable and a dedicated cement worker. I applaud his determination in pursuing a dream, and realizing it at age 34 by earning an engineering degree.

We wish Mr. Easton and all my friends at the century-old Evansville plant a safe and successful year and hope to see them again next year.