Mr. Jeffrey Raub was reared on a farm in Palmer Township, graduating from Easton High School in 1983, where he was active in the band and rifle club. The Raub family has roots in the Palatinate area of Germany, arriving in America in 1732. A vivid reminder is the current village of Raubsville.

After high school, Jeff worked on the family farm and at Chesterfield Manor restaurant. His cement career started when he was hired to work at Hercules, now Buzzi Unicem, by plant manager Gene Harrison, who once worked at the famous Dragon Cement plant in Northampton.

Starting in the labor department, Mr. Raub progressed to work in the kiln building as a burner. In 1993 the young cement worker moved into the new central control room.

"We received months of training with technicians from Italy," he recalls. "Old-timers Russell Thomas, Conrad Meyers and Barry Schweitzer also graciously shared their experiences with me."

The control room is a technological marvel of electronic monitors, the heart of the cement plant which has the ability to follow cement production from the quarry to the finished product.

"I enjoy the daily challenges of my job," Mr. Raub said. "Our goal is to produce quality cement in an efficient and safe manner."

He works closely with Andy Toth and supervisors Peter Russo, Trevor Stone and Tim Budwash, all fine men.

"Weather and power outages are especially stressful when the control room must make rapid and accurate decisions," he said. "Diesel-powered generators have aided the plant in coping with emergency conditions which, fortunately, are rare occurrences."

Mr. Raub and his family also farm 800 acres in Palmer Township and operate the Raub Farm Market. The summer months see the market offer a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables to area residents. In the fall, the farm hosts a pumpkin fest and corn maze. The popular program, with food and entertainment, attracts large numbers of appreciative visitors. St. James Lutheran Church of Phillipsburg which dates back to 1750 provides refreshments at the 1459 Tatamy Road location.

Mr. Raub is married to the former Kathryn Csiszlak whose culinary skills can be found at the market. They are proud of children Patrick, Jeffrey, Calvin and Elizabeth.

Mr. Raub is a friendly and hard-working gentlemen. He has worked at the Stockertown plant for 28 years. More than a dedicated cement worker, he remains a steward of the land on the farm which is his family's home.

We wish Mr. Raub and all my friends at Buzzi Unicem a safe and prosperous 2014 and hope the Raub family farm will continue to produce God's bounty.