Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
For some, it was a reunion decades in the making. For others, it was an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and reflect on careers spent helping build one of Alabama’s most recognizable companies.
Drummond Company welcomed former employees for a retiree appreciation luncheon on October 22, honoring the men and women whose years of service helped shape the company’s history and continued success.
The gathering brought together retirees with 10 to 49 years of service, representing decades of experience, innovation, and shared history.
Drummond Co. CEO Richard Mullen welcomed attendees, noting that he hadn’t seen some of them in more than 20 years, while others had worked alongside him as far back as 45 years ago.
Reflecting on the collective experience gathered in the room, Mullen emphasized the lasting impact of those who dedicated significant portions of their lives to the company.
“When I look out, I don’t just see employees and ex-employees. I see the very people who built the foundation of the Drummond Company,” Mullen said. “And the foundation that you built still sustains our success today.”
He thanked retirees not only for their work and contributions to the company’s growth, but also for helping establish a culture that has continued through successive generations of employees.
Mullen also reflected on the unique camaraderie of a career in the mining industry and the family-oriented atmosphere that defined his experience with Drummond.
“Mining really gets in your blood,” he said. “It’s hard work, still is hard work, but it is very rewarding.”
Krystal Drummond, the company’s vice president of community and government relations and granddaughter of the late Garry Neil Drummond, expressed her appreciation for the many individuals who played pivotal roles in the company’s history before introducing her uncle, John Drummond.
John echoed the sentiments of gratitude and shared a personal reflection on the relationships that have sustained both his family and the company through the years.
“You’re all family here to me,” he told attendees.
Recalling the period after the loss of his brother Garry, John thanked the employees and leaders who stepped up to help carry the company into its next chapter.
“I wouldn’t have made it without you, and the company wouldn’t have made it without all of you,” he said. “This family appreciates you, and you’re all special folks to us. Don’t ever forget that.”
In addition to reconnecting with former colleagues, attendees received an update on Drummond Co.’s present-day operations. A presentation highlighted advancements in workplace safety, the company’s mining operations in Colombia, South America, and the continued success of domestic operations, including ABC Coke and Marigold Works.
The luncheon also provided an opportunity to preserve the company’s history through the voices of those who helped create it. Retirees were invited to participate in video interviews recounting their experiences with Drummond as part of an ongoing historical documentation project.
Each attendee also received a book chronicling the company’s history, compiled by members of the Drummond family.
While the gathering offered an opportunity to look back on decades of accomplishments, its central message was one of lasting appreciation for the people behind them.
“When we think of these retirees, we have nothing but warm hearts, warm thoughts, and appreciation,” Mullen said. “And we pray for your continued health and happiness.” WL
