#ThrowbackThursday – 23 Years With Keizer Companies And The Story Of Buddy The Lab

This month marks 23 years since our Accounts Payable clerk Lori Hinds joined the company and so for our #ThrowbackThursdays we will travel back in time with her. Lori has seen the company grow from strength to strength under the leadership of the company owners at that time Jim and Jackie Keizer and now Jim’s son and daughter Shane Keizer and Stacy Bricker. Lori says that she has thoroughly enjoyed the time with the company and has fond memories of the early days. At one time, Jim and Jackie got a chocolate Labrador named Buddy from the Elks Club auction which raises funds for Christmas baskets for the needy in the Siouxland area. Buddy became everyone’s favorite and Lori and her colleague Darlene became Buddy’s supervisors as Jim and Jackie were often out visiting customers. That was a tough job since Buddy liked to sneak out and explore the area! Once he ran away and all the employees went out searching for him. Eventually Fremont Tire from down the road called to say that they saw him chasing deer in the field next to their building. Another time Lori and Darlene were working late when the tornado warning sirens went off.  Darlene and Lori realized that Buddy is still in his kennel outside the building. They rushed outside to get him safe before the storm hit! Buddy was everyone’s favorite and truck drivers today still ask about him when they come in.

Lori lives with her husband Craig in Bronson, IA. They have two sons, CJ and Dylan, who both serve in the Air National Guard. Her family are key members of their local community and devote much of their free time to improving the lives in their community. Craig is the Head of Maintenance at Lawton-Bronson Elementary School but also the Chief of the volunteer fire department while Lori does the accounting for the department. Dylan is an EMT and in charge of the volunteer ambulance. CJ and Dylan are also volunteer fire fighters for Bronson. And if you think that all this community service is outstanding, wait to hear that Lori also is a Iowa Master Gardener and takes care of the flowers at the Bronson City Park! Now that’s a commitment! As the late Jim Keizer would say “It’s All About The People”. We are very grateful to Lori for all her hard work and dedication to the Keizer family business over the years but also very appreciative of all the local community work that she and her family do. Congratulations on your 23rd work anniversary, Lori! Thank you for everything you do!