PORT ANGELES — Lumber Traders Inc. will be part of a Public Broadcasting Service special.
The holding company — which is made up of Hartnagel Building Supply, 3111 E. U.S. Highway 101, and Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co., 1601 S. C St. — will be the focus of a “Voices in America” segment on PBS that highlights the firm’s ties with the community.
The film crew was at both sites Tuesday, said Kelly Fox, who has been the company’s CEO since 2013.
“It will tell the story of why we do business and why we do what we do locally,” Fox said.
“For us, it’s the connection to the place that we call home.”
Josh Bergesen, advertising coordinator, said “Voices in America” plans a series of six segments that will focus on the national economic recovery.
“They are filming in other areas around the U.S.,” he said.
“Other segments around the country will focus on bridges and roads, commercial construction, urban development, etc.”
The PBS segment on the Port Angeles company will be 4½ minutes long and will include appearances by members of the public, Fox said.
Leslie Robertson, founder of Revitalize Port Angeles, will speak about the company’s community involvement, such as working with Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, the Captain Joseph House Foundation and Homes for Our Troops, Fox said.
Kevin Russell, owner of Kevin Russell Construction of Port Angeles, will speak about his experience as a longtime customer of Lumber Traders Inc., Fox added.
Both also will be included in an eight-minute documentary filmed by “Voices in America” that focuses on the company’s employee stock ownership program, or ESOP.
The documentary will be on the company’s website at www.angelesmillwork.com within the month, Fox said.
While no definitive date has been set for the PBS segment, Fox expects it to air in a couple of months.
“Voices in America” also is filming ads that will be aired from Seattle throughout the next year.
“Voices in America,” hosted by James Earl Jones, produces 30-minute and short-form stories that highlight specific industries and topics and provides the content to PBS, according to its website.
Lumber Traders Inc. is owned by its 48 employees under the plan that began in 2004.
All employees are eligible for shares in the company after one year if they have worked enough hours to qualify. They receive shares based upon their wages relative to the payroll.
Angeles Millwork & Lumber Co. marked a century in business at 16th and C streets in October 2006. Hartnagel opened in 1960.
Arnold and Debbie Schouten sold the company they had owned since 1984 to their employees in January 2004. They retired June 30, 2008.
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.
