Mr. Michael Gerencser resided in Northampton until moving to Coplay at the age of 5. He graduated from Whitehall-Coplay High School in 1973. He played football and baseball, coached by Dick Berner, Andy Melosky and Joe Steiner.

His father Joseph (Joe) had been an outstanding Konkrete Kid football player at Northampton High School and highly successful football coach at both Whitehall and Parkland.

Mike attended Shippensberg University and later joined the workforce with Dugan and Marcon Construction.

"There, I learned to work hard and the effort required to keep a job," he says. "With winter and the lack of work, I applied at Whitehall Cement, now Lafarge, for employment.

"Both Jack Hawk, who hired me in 1976, and President Dick Foster were visionaries. They adapted the plant to changing regulations and competition."

Mike fondly recalls old-timers who shared their experiences: Joe Nemeth, Arlin Meckes, John Nederostek and Charles Lobach.

His first assignment was to work at the large plant preheater. Through determination and hard work, Mike was promoted to shift-turn foreman, where he became familiar with all of the plant's operations.

In 1984 Mike purchased his first computer and soon the plant was computerizing.

As his knowledge and skill developed he was sent to the Lafarge office in Montreal for 14 months to assist the corporation in computer applications in their North American facilities.

Presently, Mr. Gerencser is the maintenance coordinator.

"We use a computerized maintenance management system," he says. "All work orders are scheduled using the system to determine work priorities.

"In my 37 years at the plant, efficiency has increased dramatically. Our goal is to produce quality cement in a cost effective safe manner."

The plant has a friendly family atmosphere and Mike enjoys the interaction with all the employees.

Mr. Guy Delauniere, an excellent gentleman, is his supervisor.

Mr. Gerencser impressed me with his pleasant and amiable personality. He is a dedicated cement worker who brings his work ethic to Lafarge each day.

Mike is proud of daughter Taylor, sons Ian and Nolan and grandson Reed Peter.

This will be his final year at the plant. Looking forward to retirement, he will also marry his fiancé,Tracy Santangeles.

He resides in Williams Township.

We wish Mr. Gerencser a healthy and long retirement and congratulate him on his future marriage to a fine lady.

Mike has made many contributions to Lafarge in his 37 years. The century-old cement Cementon plant has been fortunate to have Mr. Michael Gerencser as one of its loyal employees.