Service Awards Celebrate 40+ Years
Each year, Irby employees who reach milestones in their tenure with the company are recognized for their service. A long tenure is a cultural badge of honor at Irby. It’s not uncommon to have worked here a long while. In fact, the average tenure at our corporate office is estimated to be more than two decades. That being said 20 years or so, is next to nothing when compared to the milestone Mr. Pete Tomlinson, marked at our most recent service awards. Pete Tomlinson received his 45 year service award this year!
When asked about his lifetime with our company, this is what Pete had to say.
“The thing to me that makes Irby special is that I belong to something that goes beyond the way you do business. It’s about the values the Company has and the values of the people who work here. I feel proud to go somewhere and tell the people there that I work for Irby Construction Company, because I know it still means something to be a part of this company. When you look around this great country of ours and you see a line you worked on, you should take pride in the fact that you are one of a select few who does this kind of work. This shouldn’t be just a job, it should be your career and you should be proud you have chosen the best Company in the world to work for. Because you are now not just a line worker, but you are a member of one of the best families you will ever know. The Irby Construction Company family. That is the main reason why I’m proud to say I work for Irby and hopefully you will, too.”
Another very special award also stood out in this year’s batch of service awards. And that’s the first annual “Employee Recognition Award.” Irby President, Lee Jones, recently began this new tradition this year and selected Equipment Operator, Gary Wiggs as the first ever recipient.
Gary has been employed with Irby for nearly 40 years. He lives in Crystal Springs, MS, and has been married to his wife, Amye, for 35 years. Their daughter, Amanda, has two children. In his free time, Gary enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with his grandkids. Gary started working for Irby at the age of 19 in the parts department and has made many memories along the way. He says one of his favorite parts of his job is working with so many great people on a daily basis. The Annual Employee Recognition Award includes a one-day fishing trip in Venice, LA. Gary says he is “beyond excited” to go on the trip with other members of his family in mid-April.