Mrs. Susan Hess was reared in Muhlenberg Township, Berks County, graduating from Muhlenberg High School in 1989. She was active with the band and swimming team. Her goal was to be a secretary.

She recalled, “I had a very excellent teacher in the secretarial curriculum, Mrs. Biehl, a role model who stressed grammar, punctuation, proofreading and professionalism.”

Susan was also an award-winning shorthand student.

After graduation, she enrolled at the Central Penn Business School in Harrisburg. Her father, a longtime cement worker at the now Lehigh-Heidelberg plant, asked if there was any summer employment for his daughter in the office. She was hired as a summer intern in 1990. Susan enjoyed her job and was asked if she wanted a permanent position.

Thrilled, Susan started in customer service, later advancing to the payroll department.

She said, “The payroll department head was Mr. Jack Kasopsky. He taught me everything required to work in payroll; he was a great influence on me.”

Presently, she is a plant administrator working with Mr. Michael Jablonski, another administrator. Her responsibilities include scheduling and preparing the payroll for the plant’s union employees. Another duty is managing the raw material inventory of limestone, coal and other materials, which are moved to the plant by a convoy of trucks. There are truck weights, numbers and invoices to post.

With a smile, she said, “My job is different every day; it’s never boring. There are daily challenges. I have pride in my job and spend most of my time on a computer, which is always being updated.”

Mr. Lloyd Lutz is the department supervisor.

Mrs. Hess’s father, Roy Youse, a former cement worker, taught her the values that guide her at the plant.

With a feeling of emotion, she said, “He taught me a work ethic, to go to work every day and do the best you can.”

Susan has been married for 19 years to Ronald Hess Jr., who with her brother, Michael, work at the plant. They are proud of son Jacob and daughter Rachel, who are students in the Fleetwood School District. They are active in sports, which keep the family busy.

As a truly dedicated cement employee, she said, “The plant has provided our family with a good life, and we hope the plant continues to be successful.”

The friendly family resides in Blandon.

I hope 2016 will be a safe and prosperous year for all the employees at the century-old Evansville plant.