Matanuska Maid Honors Employees at 70th Anniversary Event

CEO applauds teamwork that helps local dairy retain area's largest market share.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – October 4, 2006 - Matanuska Maid Dairy recently honored employees who had reached milestone years with the company, including a special tribute to one who has just joined a select “club” of employees who have retired with the company.

Joe Van Treeck, Matanuska Maid President and CEO made the employee presentations, thanking the awardees and staff for adding another successful year to a 70-year history.

Honorees included Jim Garrison, who retired recently after 14 years with the company, and Gary Nelson, Matanuska Maid’s current Plant Manager and 31 –year employee.

Special 30-year award:

• Gary Nelson, Plant Manager

Among those recognized for 20 years of service included:

• Delene Bartel, Director of Sales image
• Mike Mircovich, Plastics division team member image
• Joe Van Treeck, CEO and President image

Recipients of 10-year honors were:

• Joe Durand, Creamery plant foreman
• Abe Evans, Plastics division foreman
• Ray Penamora, Creamery plant team member

Five-year employment honors went to:

• Kerry Farnsworth, Delivery driver team member
• Curt Fruik, Sales team member
• Mike Knierim, Creamery plant team member
• Andy Lojo, Delivery driver team member
• Garry McDannel, Plastics division team member
• Shanna Mizer, Creamery administrative team member
• Tom Piaskowski, Delivery driver team member
• Alicia Shaw, Creamery administrative team member

“The company has been hosting these employee awards events for nearly 20 years without fail,” said Rhonda Boyles, a member of Matanuska Maid’s board of directors and a former mayor of Fairbanks. “It’s a small gesture for recognizing the people that continue to make Matanuska Maid a thriving company and one of Alaska’s most enduring and popular brands.”

Joe Van Treeck, who has worked shoulder to shoulder with most of these people for their entire careers with Mat Maid, offered his admiration and praise for the productivity, creativity, and “esprit de corps” that characterize the employee group as a whole. “Thanks is not enough,” he said. “We owe you all a debt of gratitude for Matanuska Maid’s esteemed place in the marketplace. Without your daily agreement to work with purpose and to help create a quality product, we would not hold a market share of more than 40%,” he added. “The least we as a company can do for you is to honor your commitment with a pledge to offer you a safe, healthy place to work and to build a career.”

Matanuska Maid is among the world’s largest dairy processors in the far north. Offering a full line of dairy, juice and beverage products, Matanuska Maid Dairy celebrates its 70th   anniversary in Alaska this year. For more information about Matanuska Maid Dairy, visit the company website: www.matmaid.com.