Full Name: Wayne Leigh Shepherd 
Job Title: Sales VP

How long have you been with the Company? 
Sixteen years

What is your spouse’s name and your children’s names and ages?
Wife – Jane
Daughter – Lesley, 31 and three grandchildren
Sons – Matthew, 26 and Andrew, 28

What are some of your hobbies?
Hunting, fishing, hiking, reading, mechanics and traveling

Where do you live and what do you like about living there?
Tiffin – it has great educational opportunities.

What do you like about Norton Manufacturing?
The boss is a “softy.” There are unending chances to learn about various processes and functions. My colleagues are great, even though they tell callers I’m on vacation when I’m away on business.

What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.?
Merle Chambers was the most colorful employee. He was “Bull of the Woods” and very smart, too.

Full Name: Angela Brown
Nickname: Angie
Job Title: Quality Technician

How long have you been with the Company?
Six years

What is your spouse’s name and your children’s names and ages?
Husband – Mark
Stepchildren – Chris, 15; Kristen, 12; and Rose, 9

What are some of your hobbies?
Coaching softball, jet-skiing, and hunting

Where do you live and what do you like about living there?
I live in Fostoria. I like it because it is close to both my husband’s family and my own.

What do you like about Norton Manufacturing?
I like all of the extra things that the company does. I will be receiving my associate degree in June thanks to the tuition program.

What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.?
I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people who have taught me a lot.  I have made numerous friends and even met my husband here.

Full Name: Randy Bradner
Nickname: RB
Job Title: Production Supervisor

How long have you been with the Company?
Since August 23, 1979

What is your spouse’s name and your children’s names and ages?
Wife – Julie
Children – Randall, 22; Chris, 21; Jared, 15; Matthew, 8; and Marcus, 8

What are some of your hobbies?
Fishing, baseball with the kids, and computers

Where do you live and what do you like about living there?
I have lived on the west side of Fostoria for the past 12 years.  The best thing about living in that area are the friends we’ve made with our neighbors.  It is especially nice for the kids because a lot of their classmates live nearby.

What do you like about Norton Manufacturing?
The opportunities that the company has given me.  I also have seen Rick Norton’s solid commitment to customer satisfaction that makes you proud to be an employee of the organization.  I enjoy working for a company that cares about the employees.

What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.?
We made cranks for Arrow Corp. out of Oklahoma, and they were so big we had to load and unload our grinders with forklifts.  There was a long-barber Coleman engine lathe that I polished them on.  The funny part is my polishing tongs were 4 ½ feet long and weighed around 30 pounds.  While polishing this shaft, I was too far from the on and off controls I had to have a person stand there for me to operate the controls. We did; however, design a lever for me so I could to do it myself

Full Name: John E. Taylor
Nickname: J.T.
Job Title: Group Leader

How long have you been with the Company?
25 years

What is your spouse’s name and/or children’s names and ages? (optional)
Wife – Linda, Sons – Geremy, Brett, and Jordan, Daughter - Meghan

What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy coaching baseball, softball, and volleyball

Where do you live and what do you like about living there?
I live in Fostoria and I like it because its big enough to get all the necessities and small enough to know your neighbors.

What do you like about Norton?
I like the diversity of opportunities available at Nortons. Such as job advancement, apprenticeship programs, incentive programs, and the continuing education that is available.

Now, just talk briefly about your career at Norton.  What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.
I started at Nortons as a tool and die apprentice when I was a senior in high school.  Since then I have had the opportunity to work as a CNC operator and programmer, toolroom supervisor, and now as a group leader.

Through all of my different positions, I have been fortunate to meet and get to know many coworkers and to have several mentors, such as: Dick Norton, Rick Norton, Barb Myers, Jack Fey, Merle Chambers, Tom Younkin, Dennis Souders, Aurice Hoover, and Wayne Shepherd.  I’ve been able to watch as the company expanded from the 15-man tool and die shop to a 350-employee crankshaft manufacturing company.

Full Name: Thomas H. Younkin
Nickname: Tom
Job Title: Project Coordinator

How long have you been with the Company?
Since January 23, 1964

What is your spouse’s name and/or childrens names and ages? (optional)
Wife - Mary , Kids - Dan, 32 , Angie, 22 , Nathan, 19

What are some of your hobbies?
Archery, Fishing, Shooting Sports, Art

Where do you live and what do you like about living there?
I live on Countyline Street in Fostoria, OH. It is a quiet neighborhood and close to all businesses, and I have excellent neighbors.

What do you like about Norton?
The company, over the years, has shown a deep interest in people, their education process, and a feeling of each person matters to the company!

Now, just talk briefly about your career at Norton.  What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.
Through my career at Nortons I have been able to earn a state toolmakers card, machine repair card, and work in areas of engineering in manufacturing and initial design of tools and machine components and gauging.

Full Name:  Carolyn Kaye Chalfin  
Job Title:  Benefits Coordinator  

How long have you been with the Company?  
17 years

Family: Spouse – Tom Children – Scott, Todd, Chris, Kent

What are some of your hobbies?    
Watching my grandchildren play ball, going to movies, baking, and reading.  

Where do you live and what do you like about living there? 
My husband and live on a farm three miles northeast of Risingsun.  Both of us have lived in the area our whole life.  I like living in this area for several reasons, mainly my children, my father, and my husband’s parents live close.  Having lived here for many years, we have childhood friends that still live close which is very special.  We enjoy farming and living in the country.

What do you like about Norton?
I believe the thing I like the most about working for Norton, is the trust and confidence that both Rick Norton and management has in me.  To be able to say you look forward each day to going to work is very satisfying, and I do.  We have a relaxed work environment at the office, which makes it enjoyable.  My job as Benefits Coordinator keeps me in touch with the employees.  When a problem arises for them regarding their benefits, I try to get it solved for them as quickly as possible.  They appreciate the help I can give them, this is very rewarding.

Now, just talk briefly about your career at Norton.  What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.
I have many great memories from the years at Nortons.  When I started, we had maybe twenty employees, which included two office employees, Barb Myers and myself.  To see the company grow and prosper over the years has been a very rewarding experience.  I like to hope that I may have contributed to it in some small way.

One of my fondest memories is having had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dick Norton, Rick and Barb’s father, and Terrell Norton. Both Dick and Terrell always had a smile on their face, and a cheery word for you.  They were both very special, I consider myself very privileged to have known them.

The memory I will always cherish is walking into the plants, and the employees smiling, happy to see me and stopping for a moment to say “Hello”.

Full Name: Jerry Ray Sparks

How long have you been with the Company? 
22 years 

Family: Wife – Debra Step-son – Ryan Wagner, Son – Jerry Lee Sparks, Step-son – Aaron Wagner, Daughter – Kelly Sue Sparks  

What are some of your hobbies? 
Drag Racing

Where do you live and what do you like about living there? 
180 W. Jones Rd., Fostoria, OH  44830. I like living there because it has a big garage for all my toys.

What do you like about Norton?
I have never been laid off. I have always been treated well and have good wages.

Now, just talk briefly about your career at Norton.  What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.
Many good years; with a lot of good people.

Full Name: Garry Franklin Stump 
Nickname: Stumpy 
Job Title: Janitor/Cleaner

How long have you been with the Company?
23 years

What are some of your hobbies? 
Coin collecting, watching baseball and Norton’s bowling team!

Where do you live and what do you like about living there? 
I live at Nye’s Trailer Park. I like living close to the stores at the Plaza, my doctor’s office, and also close to work.

What do you like about Norton?
I like meeting a lot of people, employees and business men/women, and making friends.  I’m learning something every week from the maintenance, electricians, and supervisors!

Now, just talk briefly about your career at Norton.  What are your favorite memories or co-workers, etc.
My favorite memory was when I got hired and completed my 90 days at Norton for the insurance plan!  My favorite co-workers are John Taylor, Gary Jordan, Randy Bradner, Jerry Sparks, Tom Younkin, and many, many more!  Also Rick Norton, he does a lot of extra things for the other employees and me!  And I love my job!

 

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