Jimmy Miller started working for the Rockingham Poultry Co-op on March 9, 1986. When he started working 39 years ago in the Live Haul department working on cages during the summer while he was still in school, he had no idea of the changes he would see over the years.
Jimmy has seen many changes since then. The benefits have changed, there is now a 401K retirement plan, and now there is training for Maintenance employees. The company has grown and been through several name changes and when he started working, the Live Haul building was located at the main plant. After Jimmy went on to work full time, he worked at the Wash Bay and was a truck mechanic until the expansion began in the 1990’s. When they started work building the major expansion, he transferred to the Maintenance department, starting his maintenance career. After the expansion was fully functional, the Maintenance department branched out with a Refrigeration department, and that is where Jimmy is still today. Jimmy started working with his mentor, Donnie Shafer, who he couldn’t say enough about because he taught him all about the refrigeration processes. He started learning as much as he could and it wasn’t long until he was promoted to Lead. He is currently the Refrigeration Lead and PSM Coordinator for the Fresh Plant.
Jimmy and I talked about the supervisors and managers he has worked for during his years with the company. He said he worked well with his supervisors and he did mention June Weese being a good one, as well as Ronnie Sherman, Matt Nelson and Mark Miller, all of them very knowledgeable and helpful.
I asked Jimmy about the most memorable event he could remember since he has been working and he said that he remembers the flood in 1996 being unforgettable. He remembers helping to move all the trucks from the plant up to the industrial park to get them away from the floodwaters. A major impact on Jimmy was working with Donnie Shafer, who took him under his wing and taught him so much. He expressed a lot of appreciation for his efforts.
When Jimmy isn’t working, he keeps pretty busy. He and his wife of 31 years, Tammy, own the Miller’s BBQ & Grill in Moorefield, so he works there too. They like to spend time in their vacation home in Falling Waters, WV, whenever they can and Jimmy likes to work on cars. He owns a few old cars, including two Camaros, and he used to like to drag race.
What does the future hold for Jimmy? When he retires, he wants to spend more time with his wife, daughter, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, especially at Falling Waters, where he also has other family. He wants to work more on his old cars and maybe start competing in car shows.
Thank you, Jimmy, for your dedication, hard work and loyalty to our Company!
