Fred Hill celebrates 26 years with MMI tomorrow. No one experiences 26 years of anything without learning a few things along the way. So, I asked Fred to share some insights the rest of us may learn from. To understand a man’s perspectives, it is important to first understand the man.
Fred was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma in 1952 and a year later his family moved to Gilbert, Arizona. His father was a cotton farmer, and at age seven, Fred climbed into the driver’s seat of his father’s tractor and hasn’t stopped working since. In high school, Fred took jobs as a cement finisher and then an apprentice mechanic and welder, never ignoring his commitment to his father’s farm. He participated in FFA all through high school and served as his club’s Vice President during his senior year. He participated on the National Dairy Judging Team competition to evaluate cattle in Kansas City, MO.
In 1971 Fred enlisted in the United States Marine Corp before being drafted for the Viet Nam war. After basic training in San Diego, Fred was sent to the front lines for two years as an “infantry grunt” as he called himself.
Upon returning from the war, Fred worked for Anderson Clayton for 13 years. He began as a maintenance mechanic and welder making $4.78 an hour. In his first year, he earned $27,000 which means he averaged 85-hour work weeks and earned more than the mill manager. He was promoted to shift foreman, then maintenance superintendent and eventually mill superintendent before taking over the trucking department for the cotton gin overseeing all transport from Arizona and California.
So, what pearls of wisdom does Fred have to share? Fred said, “My grandfather taught me to ride for the brand, to be loyal.” Fred has honored his grandfather’s lesson’s well. He has seen people leave both MMI and Anderson Clayton and then come back when they find out the grass isn’t any greener on the other side. “It’s about more than money. When someone takes an interest in you personally, that’s what you care about. You reward them with loyalty. Loyalty goes both ways.”
Fred said in 26 years at MMI, he’s only been sent home once for a lack of work. He has earned a full paycheck every payday since coming to MMI. Fred also said, “You need to be satisfied with the company you work for and find opportunities where you stand. There’s always room to move up if you make yourself valuable.”
Now that Fred is in the twilight of his career, he commented that he wishes he could be around to see where MMI is going and recommends the rest of us “stay with it. This is a good company and it’s going somewhere.”
When Fred’s not working today, he is a doting grandfather of two grandsons and two granddaughters. He has two sons that live in Montreal Canada and Texas. His daughter lives right here in Gilbert and Fred spends plenty of time with her family. When he visits with his grandkids, he has one rule, “cell phones stay in the pockets.” Fred shared that being a grandfather is a second chance. He missed a lot with his own children while working so much. He shared that, “when you’re young, it’s easy to focus on getting ahead instead of what truly matters.”
We are very grateful to Mr. Hill for his hard work, loyalty, and perspective. It is a privilege to honor Fred for his 26-year anniversary with MMI.
