Colleague Highlight – Kathy Spence

Meet Kathy Spence – Colleague of The Morning Star Trucking Company since 1996

One of the first things you will notice and remember about Kathy is her robust yet alluring laugh. It wraps around you and pulls you in, creating a sense of closeness and an inevitable bond. One of many reasons she became a foundation upon which Morning Star’s Williams location grew.

She joined the Morning Star Trucking family in 1996, just one year after the Morning Star Williams factory opened, and never left. However, Kathy’s personal story begins long before that and contains a wealth of life experiences and a view into what created her foundation.

We asked Kathy a selection of questions and here is what she had to say:

Personal Commercial Mission Statement:

To support the transport of tomatoes to the processing facilities in a safe, efficient and timely manner. To participate in the acquisition and organization of seasonal and full-time talent for trucking, harvesting and transplanting. Provide information, assistance and training to seasonal colleagues while promoting self-management.

How did you first learn about Morning Star?

In 1995, when the Williams factory opened, I noticed all the tomato trucks driving through Colusa. In 1996 I was looking for a seasonal job so I would be more available to my two sons as they were both in high school at the time. I applied and in 1996 started my career with Morning Star Trucking as a seasonal dispatcher.

Before working at Morning Star, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

A group of friends and I worked at Jellystone Campground located at the base of Mount Rushmore. We were housed onsite in a cabin and each morning our employer would bring us juice, then each night he would bring us whiskey. We were paid .50 cents an hour to get the campground ready for the season.

What are 3 words to describe Morning Star?

We are family.

What drew you to Morning Star originally?

I was looking for seasonal employment, but what has kept me at Morning Star is the wonderful people that work here and all the new challenges we can tackle.

What do you find most challenging at Morning Star?

Morning Star has some very strong personalities. Learning how to work with them all has been challenging and interesting.

What is on your wish list for the next 10 years?

I wish to keep doing what I am currently doing but maybe work fewer hours. I enjoy working at Morning Star and I can’t imagine doing something else. I’m not the type to retire and sit at home.

Tell me about your family.

I have two sons. One living, Justin, and one deceased, Phillip. Justin has two daughters, 18 and 16, and Phillip has one son who is 23. Justin is running the farm equipment that my father left to me and prior to that he was an assistant store manager at Winco Foods in Yuba City and Chico. Phillip also worked for Winco Foods as a produce manager until his death in 2009. Both of my parents came from large local families, so I have quite an extended family.

Tell me about your previous work experience.

I worked for a wonderful company for 16 years. I started as a seasonal flagger for crop dusters and was then moved into the office and taught bookkeeping. When the company bought several FBO’s I additionally sold boxed firewood throughout the state. I worked at each location: Marysville airport, Nut Tree airport, Willows airport and the Chico airport. When I left the company in 1996, I was the company controller.

People would be surprised if they knew________ about you.

I was a gymnast and I also loved to water ski. When I was growing up, we went to the river every evening and weekend during the summer months.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to read every day.

What is your favorite book(s)?

The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.

What’s on your bucket list?

I have always wanted to drive a dragster. Hard to believe since I barely drive the speed limit!

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