New Beginning

Rich Walker and Angela Kincaid are enthusiastic about their work at Oregon Resources Corporation; it has not only been a great experience for their careers, but it is also an opportunity for their family.



Angela and Rich

Previously they had both worked with D. R. Horton Inc, a company primarily focused on housing and construction. When the housing market crashed in 2007, there were devastating effects on their family. As the industry shrank, their work was transferred elsewhere. They were forced to give up the home they owned, and moved back with their family to the Bay area, looking for new jobs. Rich, a Coquille Native American, had lived around the Eugene Area for a few years before moving back to the south coast of Oregon with Angela’s family in Coos Bay. Unfortunately, jobs at that time were few and far between.

In his search for employment, Rich had heard about ORC long before they began to hire general staff, and worked persistently to get his foot in the door. He was hired as a Dry Mill Operations Assistant, and Angela, was soon employed as an Accounting Specialist.

After enduring the adversity and insecurity of unemployment, Angela and Rich see their work at the plant as an opportunity to improve their careers and their family. In terms of their jobs, they feel entirely comfortable with the way the plant works. As Rich attests, “everyone, even the lowest on the totem pole, is really well trained. Everyone knows how the whole plant works.” Moreover, they believe that ORC has their interests at heart. “I know ORC is a company that really looks out for its employees’ interests,” affirms Rich, “it is a company that really connects to the local community, but still aims to do something big.” The couple is impressed how thoroughly management trains each employee. As Rich explains, “the CEO knows everyone; everyone is treated well.”

In the greater Coos Bay community, Rich and Angela have seen the opinions of their family and friends grow more positive as they learn about the plant. “When people hear about the work and the benefits, they want their foot in the door,” Rich says, “People are starting to see this as a really good thing for the community.” They note that even other businesses – from trucking companies to the shoe store selling worker boots are benefiting from the influx of capital to the community.

But for Rich and Angela, the most important contribution of ORC is to their family. “These opportunities have helped us immensely; we are starting over again, and it has been a great start,” Rich says. The family, with four kids aged 6, 7, 10 and 14 are now moving back into a house of their own and enrolling in a new school in the fall. It is a new beginning for their whole family.