Lumberman's - WKTV Journal

*Rogelio Arias and Koy Flores accept caps and job offers from Laura Longstreet, of Lumbermen’s, Inc.* (School News Network)

By Bridie Tereza
School News Network

Recently, students and teachers gathered in the Kelloggsville High School auditorium for a time-honored tradition: signing day. The tables on the stage had logoed caps and contracts just waiting for signatures from high school seniors, ready to commit to a team for the coming year.

But these teams don’t require spring training, hitting the weight room or anything athletic or collegiate, for that matter. These teams are businesses that have hosted students as part of a budding school-to-work program and the contracts offered full-time employment.

John Linker welcomes the crowd to his school-to-work program’s first annual signing day. (School News Network)

“College isn’t always the route to go in terms of making money and being successful. The workforce provides a variety of jobs for you in case you don’t want to go to college,” said senior Ericberto Padilla, who signed a full-time employment contract to work in the rubber shop at Wyoming-based Mark-Maker Co. Inc. “If I decide not to go to college, this job gives me an opportunity to maybe go up in the ranks and make more money without having to go to college.”

Ericberto is one of 28 students — 24 seniors and four juniors — who participated in Kelloggsville’s school-to-work program, which partnered with nine companies that place students in paid positions for part of the school day. Of the seniors,10 signed full-time employment contracts, four are going into the military, and a handful are going to work part-time and go to school part-time. A few more are waiting to hear from the companies about offers.

“Not everybody is going to go sign that letter of intent in athletics, but this is something that they can be proud of,” said John Linker, work experience coordinator for Kelloggsville. “For the longest time, we pushed ‘four-year college degree, four-year college degree’ and for some kids, yeah — that’s the way to go. But for others, it may not be.”

Leonel Leon finishes signing his contract for full-time employment at Mark-Maker. (School News Network)

Students are Valued Employees

Lumberman’s, a wholesale building materials distributor, signed three of the six Kelloggsville students it took on this year in the school-to-work program. Laura Longstreet, human resource generalist at Lumbermen’s, told the crowd assembled for signing day about the hard work and dedication of the students and praised them for their hard work, professionalism, and punctuality. Other companies in attendance included Lack’s Enterprises, Inc. and Advanced Interiors.

“The goal has always been, at the end of the year, to at least have an offer of a full-time position, whether they accept it or not,” said Linker, who planned the “first annual” signing day. “So far, for year one, it went very well. The biggest thing I hear from kids, parents, businesses is just the immense value of getting exposure to work.”

Leonel Leon, who also accepted a full-time job offer from Mark-Maker, said the experience has been eye-opening and rewarding.

“I’ve learned that a lot of people at my job depend on me to be there,” said Leonel.

For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website.

*Ericberto Padilla and Leonel Leon sign contract with Mark-Maker*. (School News Network)

Kentwood-based building materials and supply company Lumbermen’s, has acquired Michigan Prestain, a manufacturer of prefinished wood products. The sale involving the local companies was finalized June 9. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The merged entity will produce and distribute products under the “Great American Spaces” brand.

Lumbermen’s, located at 4433 Stafford Ave. SE, in Kentwood, and Michigan Prestain have had a successful partnership for nearly two years with Lumbermen’s distributing Michigan Prestain products, including Easy Barnwood.

Michigan Prestain was founded in 1989 by Greg Troutt. At the time of the acquisition, the company had nearly 30 employees working out of a 66,000-square foot manufacturing facility on Roger B Chaffee Drive in Wyoming. All Michigan Prestain employees will continue to work out of this facility.

Troutt intends to stay with Lumbermen’s to develop new products and support the combined sales team as the company continues to increase sales with current dealers as well as new networks across the country.

Lumbermen’s is 100 percent employee owned and strives to be the first choice of building materials for its customers. The company has 400 employees working at locations across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky.

Acquisition of Michigan Prestain meets Lumbermen’s strategic vision to diversify its products and offerings, as well as its focus on value-added services in its Building Materials division.

“We are thrilled to add Michigan Prestain to our already diverse product offering,” said Steve Petersen, president of Lumbermen’s. “There is a natural synergy between our companies. We’re excited about the growth opportunities and value it will bring to our customers, as well as what it will mean to our employee owners.”