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| Mat Maid News & Press Matanuska Maid Celebrates Plant Manager Gary Nelson's 30 Years  ANCHORAGE, Alaska May 15, 2006 - Gary Nelson took a part time job on the loading dock at Matanuska Maid in 1976, while awaiting a union labor opportunity on the oil pipeline construction project. The state's largest dairy product maker was headed into difficult straits at the time; union negotiations and the cooperative's finances were two hurdles. Competitor brands of "outside" milk were being introduced and heavily promoted. Nelson recalls that Matanuska Maid's general manager at the time, Jack Flint, told him not to plan for a career with the company because of the uncertainties. The pipeline job Nelson hoped for didn't materialize. Meanwhile, he was hired full time, and promoted to Lead Man and Foreman before eventually offered the job of plant manager when Joe Van Treeck was chosen as the company's general manager in 1986. The plant that Nelson supervises was built as a cooling station and bottling plant, but was expanded to its current size after the 1964 earthquake. Despite its small size, the plant's modern and diverse equipment mix allows for everything from dairy products (milk, cream, cottage cheese, yogurt and ice cream) to fresh orange juice and bottled water to be produced there. Container materials and sizes vary as widely as the product mix. Few other plants in the US match the number and variety of products that Nelson's team of employees accomplish under one roof. Nelson said the management job has kept him on his toes, both physically and intellectually. "There are very few production jobs in Alaska and even fewer that provide managers with an opportunity to create value-added products," he said. "I consider myself fortunate to have found this unique career. It's been a continuous source of personal pride for me to be part of a company that has withstood the pressures and threats, and has continued to create high quality products that Alaskans continue to embrace." Matanuska Maid's President and CEO, Joe Van Treeck, said that Nelson's contributions are numerous and difficult to calculate. "Gary's service to Matanuska Maid in the past three decades has been crucial, making sure that our product quality and supply demands are always met. You'll never seen shelves in stores empty of Matanuska Maid products while he's on the job, that's for sure," Van Treeck added. Back to top < News Main |