Wes-Tex Printing is celebrating a special work anniversary for Carolyn Burleson with 40 years of faithful service as an employee.
In honor and recognition of her service, the company surprised her with a send off party on November 10th where she was awarded an all-expense paid trip for a weekend of fun for two on November 12th to the Gaylord Texan. Burleson took her son, Chad who is a teacher and coach, to enjoy the weekend with her.
She enjoyed a full weekend with shopping, dining, enjoying Christmas lights, and attending the giant display of ice sculptures called ICE! while at the Gaylord. Additionally, the two enjoyed the Dallas Cowboy vs. Buffalo Bills football game. While there, her other son Cody was able to join them for dinner at the Gaylord.
The trip was a fitting thank you from the company according to Blake.
“She is a special, special person, a gift to our company. Our relationship extends beyond this company,” said current owner James Blake. “She has known me since I was born, knows my kids and came to my wedding.”
Carolyn fondly admits to sometimes being called “Momma Wes-Tex” as some of the 70 employees at the company are such close friends, they come to Carolyn for advice and support.
Human Resource Manager Ann Johnson explained Burleson’s position at the company.
“Her current position is HR Assistant and she is fondly known as Corporate Mom,” said Johnson. “Everything runs through Carolyn.”
Burleson loves working at the company, helping plan picnics and parties and just being a part of what she feels is her extended family.
“What is so remarkable is for someone today to show so much loyalty to a company,” said Blake. “Carolyn has a great work ethic, rarely misses work and is at every company event. Her dedication to our company and family is such a rare trait these days.”
During those forty years, Burleson has worked under three generations of the Blake family. She started working on the night shift, gathering catalogs and sorting stock. She worked her way up through shipping, the prepress and now to Human Resources. Today, James Blake owns and runs Wes-Tex Printing which started in 1949 when his grandfather, Bob Blake, bought an existing printing company and began printing phone books. At that time, the business was located in downtown Brownwood. Currently they are located in Brownwood’s industrial park on Stephen F. Austin.
Pictured at top is Burleson with a group of Wes-Tex Printing employees who were present when she got the news of her surprise trip (photo contributed).