In the Headlights: Len Dunman
This month, Len Dunman, Mercer's Director of Safety, is being featured “in the headlights”. The moment Len heard he was going to be September's featured employee, he was eager to answer our questions. Len is pictured above holding his granddaughter, Sophie.
Q: Len, how long have you worked at Mercer and in what departments?
A: I have been working at Mercer for 26 years. I started in Claims and worked there for 5 years. Then I started the Recruiting Department and ran it for 6 years. At the same time, I also ran the Facility Department for 14 years. I have been the Safety Director for 6 years.
Q: What do you like the most about Mercer?
A: I have enjoyed watching Mercer grow. I have handled the real estate and drawn up the blueprints for all of the buildings at Mercer. Also I know most of the drivers. I have kept too busy to go anywhere else.
Q: Before you came to Mercer, what were you doing?
A: I was a Project Manager for a construction company. The company was going broke and I had 3 young children to support so I came to Mercer.
Q: Do you have any advice for the new employees and drivers at Mercer?
A: For the drivers – Be Safe! Not just to stay out of harms way, but also because it’s good for business. It costs a lot of money to repair parts and tires on the truck.
For the employees – There are hundreds of opportunities at Mercer. Learn the business and be patient. There is a big difference between doing your job and knowing the business.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests?
A: I love motorcycles. I have been riding them for 40 years. I also have fascination for all types of construction equipment, locomotives, old cars, and trucks. I have since I was little. I like photography as well. Remodeling – I have redone 3 houses.
Q: What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
A: I am very proud at the fact that I have three kids who have graduated from college and one is in college now. It is satisfying to communicate with my kids as adults. I am also proud of being a grandparent to my granddaughter, Sophie.
At Mercer I look around at every building, the walls and windows and where they are in the buildings, and I am proud of the fact that I sat at a drawing board and designed them. Also, being a mentor to young employees and managers as they develop is extremely satisfying.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I feed off of other employees and contractors as goals are accomplished and Mercer continues to grow. Jim Stone and Bill Howard believed in me (not that they where always happy about it) and once that happened, I knew anything was possible.
Q: What is the coolest thing you have ever done?
A: Riding my Harley through the mountains in Colorado is indescribable.
Q: Besides goats, what is your favorite animal?
A: Dogs , particularly hound dogs. I have two Dachshunds at home.
Q: What’s your favorite music?
A: I’m an old rocker. On XM radio, I usually scroll back and forth between the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s. I’m a big Kid Rock fan too. I like his new album Rock N’ Roll Jesus.
Len's Final Thoughts:
I think it is very important to understand and appreciate diversity today. It is fascinating to me how many different people from all over the country, from every race, gender, and educational background I come in contact with everyday. It is the best part of the job.
Q: Len, how long have you worked at Mercer and in what departments?
A: I have been working at Mercer for 26 years. I started in Claims and worked there for 5 years. Then I started the Recruiting Department and ran it for 6 years. At the same time, I also ran the Facility Department for 14 years. I have been the Safety Director for 6 years.
Q: What do you like the most about Mercer?
A: I have enjoyed watching Mercer grow. I have handled the real estate and drawn up the blueprints for all of the buildings at Mercer. Also I know most of the drivers. I have kept too busy to go anywhere else.
Q: Before you came to Mercer, what were you doing?
A: I was a Project Manager for a construction company. The company was going broke and I had 3 young children to support so I came to Mercer.
Q: Do you have any advice for the new employees and drivers at Mercer?
A: For the drivers – Be Safe! Not just to stay out of harms way, but also because it’s good for business. It costs a lot of money to repair parts and tires on the truck.
For the employees – There are hundreds of opportunities at Mercer. Learn the business and be patient. There is a big difference between doing your job and knowing the business.
Q: What are your hobbies and interests?
A: I love motorcycles. I have been riding them for 40 years. I also have fascination for all types of construction equipment, locomotives, old cars, and trucks. I have since I was little. I like photography as well. Remodeling – I have redone 3 houses.
Q: What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
A: I am very proud at the fact that I have three kids who have graduated from college and one is in college now. It is satisfying to communicate with my kids as adults. I am also proud of being a grandparent to my granddaughter, Sophie.
At Mercer I look around at every building, the walls and windows and where they are in the buildings, and I am proud of the fact that I sat at a drawing board and designed them. Also, being a mentor to young employees and managers as they develop is extremely satisfying.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I feed off of other employees and contractors as goals are accomplished and Mercer continues to grow. Jim Stone and Bill Howard believed in me (not that they where always happy about it) and once that happened, I knew anything was possible.
Q: What is the coolest thing you have ever done?
A: Riding my Harley through the mountains in Colorado is indescribable.
Q: Besides goats, what is your favorite animal?
A: Dogs , particularly hound dogs. I have two Dachshunds at home.
Q: What’s your favorite music?
A: I’m an old rocker. On XM radio, I usually scroll back and forth between the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s. I’m a big Kid Rock fan too. I like his new album Rock N’ Roll Jesus.
Len's Final Thoughts:
I think it is very important to understand and appreciate diversity today. It is fascinating to me how many different people from all over the country, from every race, gender, and educational background I come in contact with everyday. It is the best part of the job.