Leviton Employee Shirley Plemmons Celebrates 50 Years with Company
June 12, 2013
For Immediate Release
Leviton Employee Shirley Plemmons Celebrates 50 Years with Company
BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (June 12, 2013) – It was 1963 when Leviton, then known as Southern Devices, opened its doors in Burke County in a small building in Drexel. Shirley Plemmons had recently moved to the area and applied for a job with the new company. “They hired me right away and I’ve been there ever since,” the 77-year-old says as she shows off her beautiful plants and flowers in her yard in Morganton. “I grew up on a farm and worked very hard. When I got my job it was a lot easier than what I was doing at home. I didn’t plan to stay for 50 years. I had never thought about it. I just love to work and enjoy being there so I’ve stayed.” Working on her yard has been a 45-year labor of love for Plemmons and it shows. Flower beds fill every corner of the yard, and it is obvious how much time and care she puts into maintaining them. Plemmons approaches her job the same way. “You just do the best you can each day,” she says. “Take it seriously. Do everything your employer asks. Be there every day and do a good job.” And Plemmons has been there at Leviton almost every day for the past 50 years. From production to supervision and training, she has worked in many different jobs within the company. She says what she appreciates most about Leviton is the fact that they have understood when she did need to be away from work. “I’ve been through a lot in my life with my family,” she says, recalling struggles and the loss of loved ones. “They [Leviton] always worked with me and let me off when I needed to be with my family. They are really great to work for because they understand that family comes first.” Plemmons had many good things to say about the company and expressed her excitement over the changes taking place there. In January Leviton announced an expansion at their Morganton facility and committed to creating 152 new jobs. They are also renovating and making improvements to the building. “They are adding jobs, painting and putting in new air conditioning,” she adds. “It looks different on the inside. They’re doing a lot of work and everybody really appreciates it.”
Leviton – a manufacturer of electrical wiring devices, lighting systems, network solutions and other electrical products – threw a party for Plemmons to celebrate her 50th Anniversary with the company.
“Leviton has been in Burke County since 1963 and we are well represented by our first 50-year employee, Shirley Plemmons,” said Leviton Human Resources Director Glenn Privette. “We appreciate Shirley’s many years of service as she exemplifies a spirit of dedication, hard work, and faithfulness. We wish Shirley the very best in the years to come and thank her, along with our many other employees, who have been part of our half century of doing business in Morganton.”
Plemmons enjoyed the party and was thankful for the opportunity to see old friends.
“They told me I’m the first one to work there for 50 years,” she said. “For my party they brought back people I had worked with who had already retired and all of management was there. It made me feel good; it’s really like a family.”
As she discusses retirement Plemmons has the same positive approach that she has taken with her job for the past 50 years.
“The Lord has blessed me with good health and I give Him all the credit for being able to work. I’ve slowed down some but I can keep up. As long as my health stays good I’ll keep working.”
When asked if she had any advice for the new hires coming to Leviton this year, she simply responded “Work hard and do your job. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.”
About Burke Development, Inc.
Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI visit www.BurkeDevInc.com.
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Contact: Sara Chester 828.674.3141