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The Casco Sawmill is proud to announce Paden Brett as the 2024 Employee of the Year! Paden joined Team Hancock in 2016 and has spent his time here in the sawmill. It has been fun to watch Paden grow and mature over these past eight years. He has a great attitude, is a great teammate, and proudly represents the culture of Hancock Lumber. Very seldom in our business do you have an employee who can run every machine center in the mill and run them all at a high level of efficiency. Paden is the only one on the Casco sawmill team who can wear this hat. A few years ago, he showed interest in learning how to be a Sawyer, a role that takes most people several months or even years to excel at. Paden proved to be a quick learner and within a few months was up to speed with production and sawing on his own while working safely and maintaining quality. Today, he is a top performer at this machine center—smooth, fast, safe, and very productive. One of his best days occurred recently—the log mix was good, no downtime was needed, and he sawed at 16,620 bf/hr, with 9.9 lines a minute. Sawmill Supervisor, Cliff McConkey shared, “Paden has three first names (Paden, Lee, Brett) so if Paden is behind you, you can ask Lee or Brett to help.” Paden is always willing to take on the challenge you give him. The Casco team is thankful and proud to have Paden as a teammate, making the Employee of the Year for 2024 an easy choice. Great Job Paden!

The Casco Bargain Barn announces Nick Tash as our 2024 Employee of the Year! Nick holds the longest tenure with Casco Retail, being hired in October of 2017. Nick has proven himself to be a true Hancock Lumber Ambassador. Nick started his career as a Yard Pro in 2017, then was promoted to Counter Pro, and now is our Inventory Manager who helps out in the yard. Time and time again, Nick has proven himself to be an incredible employee. He is always willing to pitch in and help when needed, and more importantly anticipates moments of need from others and steps in without hesitation. Nick shares our team mindset and focuses on a Safety 24/7 attitude. He consistently works to make everyone’s day go a little better. Nick is the go-to guy for all-around assistance—in the words of his fellow teammates: “He is a great teacher, eager to help out, a true VIP in every position inside and outside of the store.” Nick has played a huge role in developing Casco Retail into what it is today. He helped to evolve numerous processes and procedures that happen daily here in Casco to make them simpler and more efficient, has played a huge role in onboarding new employees, and shows continued effort in support of the growth and betterment of our store. Nick is trusted to make the right decisions, and we cannot thank you enough for what you bring to the team each day. What an amazing accomplishment you have earned—two-time Employee of the Year! Congrats Nick!

Brunswick would like to congratulate CB Sylvester on being named the 2024 Employee of the Year! CB began his career at Hancock Lumber in 2004 as an Estimator, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the industry. With 23 years of expertise, CB has not only excelled in his role but has also become a cornerstone member of the team. His keen attention to detail, efficiency, and accuracy in estimating have made him an invaluable asset to Hancock Lumber. What truly sets CB apart is his willingness to share his extensive knowledge with others. Always eager to mentor and guide the next generation, CB’s commitment to helping his colleagues grow professionally is a testament to his leadership and dedication. His approach to teamwork and his exemplary work ethic have earned him the respect of his peers and the admiration of the entire company. As an estimator, CB’s contributions have been critical to the success of many projects, and his impact extends far beyond his individual role. For his exceptional performance, unwavering dedication, and steady mentorship, CB is a deserving recipient of the Employee of the Year award.

Our Bethel Sawmill team has selected Jerry Gautreau as our 2024 Employee of the Year! Jerry started working for Hancock Lumber in January of 2007. In that time, Jerry has been a valuable team member in the boiler house. Jerry has a positive attitude and is often called on for his knowledge and expertise in the plant. Jerry is known for being a reliable and responsible team member who is always willing to help and put in extra effort around vacation coverage and plant shutdowns. Jerry maintains an exceptionally clean work area when he is on shift and excels at all his job responsibilities above and beyond boiler operation. Jerry has also proven to be an invaluable resource when training new or inexperienced operators. Congratulations Jerry on being this year’s selection for Bethel’s Employee of the Year!            

Jim Bell has earned the distinct honor of 2024 Employee of the Year for Augusta! Jim started with LaPointe Lumber in May of 2021 and has remained with us as we made the transition to joining Team Hancock. Jim handled this transition with ease and became a true Team Hancock Ambassador, as evidenced by his incredible work ethic. Jim is an exemplary employee who consistently goes above and beyond in everything he does. He is always willing to take on any task, no matter how challenging, with a positive attitude and a readiness to help. His commitment to excellence is evident in his work, as he consistently delivers results that exceed expectations. Jim’s dedication and proactive approach make him a valuable asset to the team, always stepping in where needed and ensuring that every task is a success. Thank you, Jim, for your years of service, willingness to go above and beyond, and your positive attitude! Congratulations for being our 2024 Employee of the Year!