Mr. Bruce Keim was raised in Bethlehem, graduating in 1972 from Liberty High School, where he was a member of the track and field team. One of his favorite teachers was Mr. George Pavlinski, who taught math and motivated the students.

Upon graduating, he enrolled at Virginia Tech and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. During the summer, he was employed at Bethlehem Steel, where his father and relatives were employed.

Bruce began his cement odyssey at the Hercules-Buzzi Unicem in 1977, recalling, “I was hired as a technical assistant, working on many plant projects.”

After six months, he was named midnight shift supervisor.

He said, “My salary was $14,000 a year.”

This was less than the men he supervised.

A highly skilled engineer, his resume is impressive. It includes maintenance supervisor, production superintendent, manager of engineering and construction.

Mr. Keim said, “One of the largest projects I worked on was the construction of the pre-heater. This made the plant more productive.

Logging thousands of air miles, he recalls, “I was sent to Festus, Mo., to help construct a new plant and also to Chattanooga, Tenn. I also attended meetings at our headquarters in Italy.”

He spoke highly of the Buzzi family’s vision in the cement industry.

As vice president of plants, he traveled to Festus numerous times to aid in the construction of the plant, stating, “When a new plant begins operation, there are problems to resolve. There were days when I was there around the clock - once for 32 straight hours.”

While working at Stockertown, he built his own home in Kintnersville, from framing to electrical work.

Bruce retired in 2010, but duty called when he was asked to return to manage the plant in 2018.

“I always enjoyed my time at Stockertown working with fine employees,” he said.

I found Mr. Keim to be an amiable gentleman with a calm demeanor and a great philosophy.

He said, “Don’t get excited. If you do, you just don’t think properly. In management, I never felt better than anyone else. By working together, you will get better results. I enjoy management not by being in the office, but being in the plant.”

Mr. Keim has been married to Laura Milam for 40 years. They are proud of daughters, Jessica and Emily, and son, Nash. They reside in Bethlehem.

I wish Mr. Keim and all my friends at the century-old plant a safe and prosperous 2019.