With their history, experience and knowledge, our longtime employees have played an important role in Monument’s past and helped to lay the groundwork for our future. With a few retirements coming up in Brandenburg, we’ve picked two employees to highlight and celebrate here. Please join us in thanking them for their many contributions, and wishing them a happy, healthy retirement!

In the Spotlight: Kaye Redmon

Role: Sr. Network Administrator

Location: Brandenburg, KY

Time with Monument: 32 years

How she came to join the company: Working as an IT professional is actually Kaye’s second career. As a mom of three, Kaye had been a hairstylist when her kids were young. After realizing that they would grow up with computers the way she had with TV, she went back to school to earn a degree in computer science. She was offered a full-time role after completing an internship, making her a second-generation Monument employee as she followed in her dad’s footsteps.

Most memorable project: Completing the new SAP rollout, a major initiative which involved upgrading from the 1994 version to 21st century technology (S4 HANA).

Where you’ll find her after retiring: Enjoying “farm life” with her husband on their 80 acre farm or attending one of her eight grandkids’ sporting events. 

Advice to new IT professionals: Be flexible! Technology is always changing but try to learn as much as you can and keep your skills up to date. Also, take the time to listen to what people are asking for, so you can tailor solutions to their needs.

[Photo caption: Kaye with her husband, children, and grandchildren]

In the Spotlight: Ron Gombos

Role: Sr. Process Engineer

Location: Brandenburg, KY

Time in the chemical industry: 44 years total; 30 of these at the Brandenburg site

Most memorable project: Working on the design of production of anti-wear products for mechanical and automotive gear applications for Afton. The project is still ongoing, and Ron was excited to work on this because it involved using a totally new chemistry at the Brandenburg pilot plant. He hopes the business grows and provides future opportunities at the site.

Where you’ll find him after retiring: Ideally, traveling with his wife or on the golf course! After having to postpone a trip to Europe this year, they hope to visit Acadia National Park in 2021. 

Advice to new production engineers: When something isn’t working right, take the time to talk to first line operators before jumping to a solution. They see how processes run day in and day out and can help you identify and fix problems.

[Photo caption: Ron and his wife at Bryce Canyon, Utah]