Mr. Peter G. Zagar was born in Stanford, Calif., and graduated from Los Altos High School in 1973. There, he was a member of a stellar track team which was undefeated from 1959 to 1973, winning the state championship. His father had been a scholarship student who played football and was a record-holding discus thrower at Stanford University.

Peter graduated from San Jose State with degrees in geography and geology in 1977.

He recalls, "As an intern, we saw the former secret U-2 reconnaissance aircraft and interpreted photographs taken by the plane."

Mr. Zagar has a comprehensive and compelling employment resume.

"My first job was with Kaiser Cement in Cupertino, Calif., as a rock plant engineer where I could utilize my geology degree," he says.

His work odyssey has taken Mr. Zagar to many interesting and challenging opportunities. In 1980-85 he supervised a massive quarry in Lucerne, Calif.

"I always enjoyed working in quarry operations," he says. "My next challenge took me to Southeast Michigan to manage a million-ton operation. In 1991, Oregon called and I worked on some of the first Super Fund sites with an environmental company which designed landfills."

His vast aggregate knowledge led him to Hanson Aggregate where he was an environmental manager for 26 facilities.

There was National Cement in Lebec, Calif., and a chromium mine in Oregon.

"Last year I was hired by Essroc as their safety manager, to update the safety and training program," he says. "I work closely with MSHA, a federal agency that usually conducts six inspections annually at the plant, quarry and grinding operation.

"We stress safety and I found a great spirit of cooperation working with our supervisors and employees." The Corporate Safety Director for Essroc is Ms. Ginna Facca.

I asked about reports. Mr. Zagar replied, "I spend at least 50 percent of my time on paper work."

This writer was impressed by Mr. Zagar's employment experiences, professionalism and broad knowledge. An amiable gentleman, Peter certainly is a highly qualified and valuable employee.

He is very proud of son Steven who is an Apple employee and of his Croatian heritage.

Peter resides in Bowmanstown and spends his free time fishing, mountain biking and bird watching.

We wish continued success to Mr. Zagar and all my friends at Essroc and hope to return again next year to honor more dedicated cement workers.