Businesses sold; employees reap windfall

Business

Doug Walker, who owns Walker Concrete in Stockbridge, is selling to a bigger company. But he's d giving his employees $1 million of the proceeds. About 150 employees learned the news at a dinner Saturday night .

Doug Walker, Walker Concrete President and Chief Executive, is doing what a lot of longtime, locally owned concrete makers are doing these days: selling to a bigger company. But during a dinner Saturday night he and Walker and Gary Mercer, president of Walker Construction Products, started a roll call to hand out checks after announcing the proceeds would be shared with employees.

Doug Walker is giving employees, like CFO Linda McElroy, $1,000 apiece for each year of service. McElroy, who got $17,000 during a dinner Saturday night, gives Walker a hug.

Tommy Dettmering received $45,000 for his 45 years.

Debbie Walker, Doug's wife, is all smiles as she gives a check to 11-year employee Donna Imsand.

Forty-five year employee Tommy Dettmering receives his check from company founder Barney Walker.

Doug Walker and five-year employee Tommie Clay compare muscles.

Doug Walker and his wife, Debbie, get a laugh out of the employee of the month award he received from his family as a joke. With Doug closing the sale of the company on Wednesday, he will now be an employee.

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Doug Walker, Walker Concrete President and Chief Executive, is doing what a lot of longtime, locally owned concrete makers are doing these days: selling to a bigger company. But during a dinner Saturday night he and Walker and Gary Mercer, president of Walker Construction Products, started a roll call to hand out checks after announcing the proceeds would be shared with employees.

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