Isaac Hall stops to speak with Quality Control Manager
and Senior Sales Representative Mark Trueblood about
the various types of products offered at Ames Mine.
The Gangwish boys (from left) Titus, 3,
Josiah, 6, Roman, 11, and Levi, 9, hunt for
fossils at the Ames Mine Open House.
Not pictured is youngest brother, Asher, 1.
www.martinmarietta.com | November/December 2017 The Conveyor 13
More than $2,000 and 1,420 pounds of canned
goods were collected during the event.
“There are a lot of jobs that people
just don’t understand,” she said. “They
don’t know what it’s like to work in a
mine all day and they’re curious. They
want to see what it’s all about.”
While broadcasting from underground,
Harden and Lucas waved to
passing tours, boarded a few buses to
interact with fans and hosted a brief
Facebook Live streaming session. The
duo also spoke on air with company
leaders like Midwest Division President
Bill Gahan, Des Moines District Vice
President-General Manager Todd Clock
and Ames Plant Manager Doug Robey.
As Ames’ leader, Robey was particularly
involved in the event’s planning.
The plant manager has been the point
person for Ames’ Open House events
since the first one took place in 2002.
“It was a little overwhelming back
then, but we’ve got it down now to
where things run pretty smoothly,” he
said. “All of our people here do such a
great job representing Martin Marietta.
I get so many compliments from our
neighbors around town and that
always makes me feel good. I’m proud
that the company values this effort to
educate the general population.”
For their part, the people of Ames
and the surrounding area also appear
to have valued their chance to visit.
More than 2,800 people passed
through the mine’s front gate during
the Open House.
“(This mine) is part of our community
and we don’t get the opportunity to
see it very often,” said Chellie Hall,
who attended the Open House with
her son, Isaac. “He really enjoys rocks
and geology. He’s interested in how
“Our collection for the three local
organizations is fabulous,” she said.
“Anytime we can help by supporting
the communities in which we operate
is a win for everyone.” ▼
deep (the rocks) are and how different
states have different sorts of rock. It’s
the entire process, really.”
The 10-year-old, who was skipping
school in favor of the hands-on
educational experience, said he was
most excited to head underground and
to learn about the equipment used in
the mine’s day-to-day operations.
“I like the trucks very much – the
big ones, especially,” he said. “And I’ve
never seen a drill before.”
Jason Gangwish of Mason City,
Iowa, read about the Open House in
the local newspaper and thought his
family would enjoy the event. He
and his wife, Lesley Gangwish, home
school their five sons and billed the
90-mile adventure to Ames as an
exciting field trip.
“It’s fun to get out and see new
things like this that you can’t see every
day,” the father said. “The boys have a
chance to see the equipment and learn
about the process of mining. I hope it
opens their eyes a bit and makes them
realize what we use this stuff for.”
While those involved in the Open
House all expressed pride in the result,
Midwest Division Controller Julie
Quass, a volunteer who passed out
doughnuts, coffee and juice at the
event, said the most rewarding feeling
came about once the day’s charitable
impact had been calculated; more than
$2,000 in cash donations and 1,420
pounds of canned goods were collected
for distribution to the Gilbert Community
School District’s Athletic Booster
Club and two nonprofits, Mid-Iowa
Community Action and Youth &
Shelter Services.
A MARTIN MARIETTA VALUE
Community involvement is important
at every company location. If you or
your team are creatively engaging with
your neighbors, let us know! Conveyor
Editor James O’Rourke can be reached
at 919-510-4741.
/www.martinmarietta.com