The PipeLine
Volume 2 Number 4 March 2007
Interstate Team Interstate
Natural Gas Kicks Off Relay for Life
Inside this issue:
_______________ On Thursday, Feb. 8, twenty-seven members of Team Interstate were
treated to breakfast, officially kicking off the fundraising drive to raise
Kidz Korner 2 $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Jerry and Denny provided team members with a delicious breakfast of
From Denny’s Desk 3
ham and sausage biscuits, fresh fruit, and pastries. Team captain Jeanne
In the Field 4 Clark distributed information packets and collected registration forms.
Team members were also challenged to “match” the donation Jerry and
Spotlight 9 Denny committed to Relay for Life with their gold level sponsorship of
$5,000. In addition, Team Interstate was also challenged to top the $7300
Meet the Family 11
dollars the 2006 team raised.
The twelve hour all-night event will be held at Bob Amos Park in Pikeville
May 18 and 19. Although the members of Team Interstate will be doing the
fundraising, all employees and their families are invited to donate to the
cause, to attend the event for a picnic dinner on the 18th, and to walk with
the team throughout the night, if they wish. If you would like to become
more involved in Relay for Life, please call Jeanne at 437-6147.
Employees who are part of the team include Johni Allen, Jason Baker,
Jennifer Blackburn, Dan Carlisle, Ron Carlisle, Jaime Chaney,
Don Chapman, Jeanne Clark, Joe Dickerson, Kevin Garrett,
Heather Greene, Mike Grubb, Will Holbrook, Susie Johnson,
March Jerry Justice, Angela Kanney, Tammy Keathley, Larry Kidd, Char-
Birthdays lene Kinder, Lisa Scalf, Jeff Vandiver, and Stephanie Warrix.
March 2 Lawrence Cornett
March 5 Angela Kanney
March 7 Michael Harris
March 9 Jeffery Stapleton Ron Carlisle, Will
Holbrook and
March 10 Glenn Blackburn
Kevin Garrett
March 14 Carlos Jessee check out the poster
March 15 Michelle Baker which will record
March 20 Tammy Keathley the team’s progress
in raising $5,000
March 26 Jeremy Robinette
for Relay for Life.
March 27 Susie Johnson
March 30 William Hunt
Robert Everage
Page 2 The PipeLine
KIDZ KORNER
INTERSTATE HONORS
Jerry and Denny proudly announce the recipients
of $50 US Savings Bonds to these honor roll students
for their first semester efforts. Jayneen Rosser is very proud of her ten
Student Parent and a half year old twin nephews Cody and
Kay Bowen Michael Bowen Tyler Sullivan who were baptized Sunday,
Sabrina Falestead Jim Nickles Feb. 11 at the Mountain View Church of
Krystine Glass James Glass Christ by their youth minister Paul D. Potter.
Ryan Glass James Glass
Jayme Grubb Mike Grubb
Sarah Johnson Melton Vanzant
Laken Lowe Sandy Lowe
Savannah Meade Tony Meade
Tasha Moore Charlene Kinder
Tessa Moore Charlene Kinder
Kenya Moore Charlene Kinder
Natasha Tackett Leslie Tackett
Tasha Moore, daughter of Charlene Kinder, will be
attending the Junior Beta Club Convention in Louis-
ville Feb. 28—March 2. Tasha will be entering into
competition a handmade crocheted baby blanket.
Thirteen year old Ryan (left) and six-
teen year old Krystine (top) Glass, chil-
dren of James Glass, recently spent
some time visiting patients at Parkview
Nursing Home on Robinson Creek.
Ryan’s new friend was very competitive
at checkers while Krystine enjoyed giv-
ing hers a brand new manicure. Ryan
and Krystine are members of RYLA, a
youth service organization sponsored
by the Pikeville Rotary Club.
The PipeLine is an internal publication highlighting news and other information pertaining to Interstate
Natural Gas Company, Crossrock, Inc., the CPA firm and other Kanney/Rohrer businesses. We hope you enjoy
reading the newsletter and will let us know if there is anything you would like to see featured.
Jerome A. Kanney and Dennis L. Rohrer—General Partners Jeanne W. Clark—PipeLine Editor
March 2007 Page 3
From Denny’s Desk . . .
I believe that one of the keys to running a successful business is to try to be a person who listens. Listening is an
important skill for everyone to develop. You need to listen well for many reasons. You need to listen well so that you
can understand others. You need to listen well so you know what it is that you are supposed to do. You need to listen
well so that you can predict and prevent possible problems. You need to listen well so that you can set your goals for
the future in a positive and realistic manner.
Listening can be hard work, and some people are more challenging to listen to than others. But when you find
yourself tuning out what someone is saying, you should ask yourself why. Are you tuning them out because what they
are saying is irrelevant or boring? Or are you tuning them out because you don’t want to hear what they are saying?
Everyone wants to be heard. In order to sharpen your listening skills, first stop talking. Look at the other person
with sincerity. Be patient as the other person shapes his thoughts. And lastly, listen between the lines.
Keep in mind that being a good listener is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your career.
Learn to listen...sometimes opportunity knocks quietly.
Let us help you build for the future.
Interstate Natural Gas Company
and Crossrock, Inc.
offer the following contract services.
Drilling
Swab Rigs
Service Rigs
Water Hauling
Casing Hauling
Gravel Hauling
Dozers
Excavators
Heavy Equipment Hauling
We have trained mechanics with the right equipment.
Call 437-6147 for additional information.
Page 4 Tbe PipeLine
In the Field After Leslie’s sister introduced the two, Leslie
married the former Deborah Varney in 1990. The
Tacketts have two children. Natasha is a sopho-
with Leslie Tackett more at Pike County Central where she is consis-
tently on the honor roll. Son Nathan Wesley, who
One of the key members of Wilson Vanzant’s crew is has an avid interest in fossils and such, is in the
40 year old Leslie Tackett, an Interstate employee seventh grade at Kimper Elementary. Leslie cred-
since 2003. Born in Floyd County to Levi and Inas its his wife, a stay at home mom, for always being
Tackett, Leslie is one of eight siblings— six sisters and there for the kids. “Deborah is the heart of our
two brothers. family. She makes sure the kids are where they
After graduation from Betsy Layne High School in need to be and takes care of everything at home.”
1985, Leslie spent nine years working first as a night Although Leslie loves to fish, he admits that he
watchman then as a greaser for both Addington Broth- doesn’t have much time to pursue that hobby.
ers and the Hall Brothers in Floyd and Pike Counties. “We did go camping for the first time as a family
For the next five years, Leslie was employeed by last year. We were excited to set up a campsite at
Mountain Top Baking in Kimper. As a machine opera- the Breaks. The only down side was that is poured
tor, he produced ice cream wafers, crackers, and other the rain the entire time we were there. We may try
items made with dough. When Kellogg’s bought the it again sometime this summer.”
operation, Leslie became a supervisor. “My team on One of the most interesting things about Leslie
Line 5 actually set a record by producing 7200 cases of is that he became an ordained minister in 1996.
Nutri Grain bars in an eight hour shift. I don’t know if “Our family was attending the Stone Coal Freewill
anyone has topped that since then,” recalls Leslie Baptist Church when I got the call to preach in
proudly. “Actually ten people work on a single line; early 1994. After a lot of prayer with me asking
each one has a specific task.” Leslie also worked on God what He wanted me to do, I decided to an-
Line 1 which produced those famous Pop Tarts. nounce my decision to preach in August of 1994. I
“Although those five years were good ones for me, there continue to be very passionate about my relation-
was a lot of stress involved so I decided to go to work ship with Jesus and I want to serve Him as He
for my brother who worked on trucks. asks me.”
I had grown up around my dad who was always
welding or doing other mechanic work. I remember
looking forward to coming home from school so I could
help him in the garage. So it was an easy transition for
me to get back to that type of work.”
Leslie spent some time employed at Benson’s where
he welded truck beds. In 2003, he was part of an 8-
week program in the maintenance department at Pike-
ville Medical Center. “I could have stayed there, but a
friend told me about Interstate.
After I got the job in 2003, I started working at the
Mim’s Branch garage for Wilson Vanzant. At first, I
washed equipment and did anything I was asked to do,
but then I started welding and doing mechanic work on
the service and swab rigs.
I really enjoy what I do and thank Denny and Jerry
for hiring me. I would do anything I could to help
build the company.”
March 2007 Page 5
For Sale
Hotpoint
Washer and Dryer
Excellent condition
ONLY $150 for the pair
Call Elizabeth Byrd at 437-6147
Interstate Represented at
Women’s Business Symposium
The Wilkinson-Stumbo Convention Center in Pres-
tonsburg was the site for the 8th Annual Big Sandy
Secret to Happiness Women’s Business Symposium presented by More-
head State University and East Ky. Small Business
The secret to happiness and well-being is no Development Center. (below) Representing Inter-
mystery. All it takes is the ability to do the state were Angela Kanney, Jeanne Clark and
following: Tammy Keathley. Breakout sessions sought to
strengthen the role of women in business by focus-
Forget.
ing on innovative and creative thinking, prioritizing
Apologize.
skills, and raising revenues through relevant cus-
Admit errors.
tomer relationships. The keynote speaker was au-
Avoid mistakes.
thor and corporate trainer Susan Miller.
Listen to advice.
Keep your temper.
Shoulder your blame.
Make the best of things.
Maintain high standards.
Think first and act accordingly.
Put the needs of others before your own.
Forgive.
Seem like a tall order? Then try slipping as
many of these “secrets to happiness” into your
day as possible. You’ll soon be rewarded with
a more positive outlook on life.
N O T I C E - All Employees
March is open enrollment month for health insurance. You may enroll or add dependents this month
only. Also, all employees who are filling out insurance applications and have had prior health insurance
will need to get a Certificate of Credible coverage from the previous insurance. Enrolling without this will
cause difficulty in getting claims paid quickly or cause the employee to have to pay out of pocket.
Page 6 The PipeLine
Site Preparation — Jason Baker’s Crew Takes the Lead
The leases are signed. The land has been sur- of the natural landscape as possible. Fol-
veyed. The spudding location has been staked. The lowing the dictates of Mother Nature as the
next call is to Jason Baker, the site preparation site is prepared will make the reclamation
supervisor for Interstate. After carefully assessing efforts of Jason’s crew much easier after the
the lay of the land with GIS/GPS technician Fred well head (Christmas tree) is set.
Ballard who stakes out the access road, Jason Heavy equipment operators on this job
walks the entire site with his equipment operators. included Matt Mayor, Kelly Barnett,
Next Jason arranges for the transportation of Ollie Risner, and Charles Wright.
company dozers, backhoes, and other equipment to These men had to work very closely with
be moved to the site. Sometimes the land owner will each other in order to make sure that the
make a special request for additional work to secure site had the proper grade and dimensions to
his property. In the case of this particular site, accept the equipment that would shortly be
Scotty Blackburn, Mike Rice and Mike Harris delivered to the site. Most sites are at least
secure the property owner’s fence, replacing old 60’ wide and 150 to 175’ long.
fencing with new. Jason concludes,
Building an access road can be quite tricky. The “Because we have sev-
location of this site required heavy equipment to eral site preparations
grate out about a mile of new road up very steep going on simultaneously
mountainous terrain. In building the road, Jason and I have to travel be-
had to keep in mind the length and weight of the rig teen them each day, I
and all of its accompanying equipment, such as the rely on my men to com-
dog house, air packs, the platforms, and varying municate with each
sizes of pipeline. Wide turn areas also needed to be other and follow the
constructed. plan of action we set up
Despite the displacement involved in building a from the outset to get
secure road, every effort is made to disturb as little the job done.”
March 2007 Page 7
Page 8 The PipeLine
Spotlight on Their two natural children did not complete their
family because “Carolyn stole” five other kids from
Joe Dickerson various relatives to raise at different points of time.
“We wanted to give these children a little extra TLC.
At one point we had five children not even 10 years old
I don’t remember who said it, but the quote “Laughter
under one roof. Talk about an exciting household.”
is the spark of the soul” certainly fits this month’s Spot-
Joe left Woolworths to work for Montgomery Ward
light employee—Joe Dickerson. You can’t be around Joe
in Huntsville, AL. In 1987, Joe was promoted to na-
very long before he lights up the room with his sardonic
tional sales manager for that company which required
wit and heartfelt laughter.
the family to move to Chicago.
Joe was born at the University of Georgia Hospital on
From Chicago, the Dickerson’s next stop was Los
New Years Eve, 1951. He is the son of Joe and Ann
Angeles, where they lived in the gorgeous wine coun-
Dickerson, two University of Georgia alums and ardent
try of Simi Valley. Two years later, Joe was trans-
Bulldog fans, leading Joe to declare, “ Bulldog born, Bull-
ferred to the Washington/Baltimore area.
dog bred, and when I’m dead I’ll be Bulldog dead.”
Three of Joe’s siblings reside in Georgia and one lives in
Arkansas. Joe divides his time between his work in Pike-
ville and Nashville, where wife Carolyn is the general man-
ager of a JCPenney prototype store.
When Joe’s dad left the University of Georgia as an
Army officer, he and Ann would travel the world with their
family in tow. Joe recalls spending his high school days in
Germany, Maine, and Virginia, where he would eventually
graduate from Kecoughtan High School.
Joe, who attended college at William and Mary, thought
about a career in law. “I was actually in the Young Repub-
licans through high school and college and could see my-
self as a politician. I was a page for Governor Ronald
Reagan, who came to state’s convention as a keynote
speaker for Virginia’s first Republican governor since Re-
Joe’s next career move was meteoric. He and
construction.”
Carolyn packed it up and headed to the Big Apple
Throughout high school and college, Joe worked for the
where Joe took a position for a Woolworth company
Woolworth Company, eventually taking the company up
called The RX Place, first as a senior buyer, then as
on their offer to send him to a management training pro-
marketing director. Joe was quickly promoted to
gram.
GMM and finally to Chief Operating Officer. Helping
In 1973, Joe earned a BS in business management and
to broker the company’s sale was a coup for Joe. Al-
economics from New York University and soon moved to
though he found himself out of a job, he was offered a
Charlotte, NC for the first of many managerial positions
generous buyout package.
for the Woolworth organization over the next 18 years.
In 1996, Joe, who has always been interested in
Before Joe began his career with Woolworth, he met
ancient religions, took the summer off to travel to
and married the girl of his dreams. “Carolyn and I had
Jerusalem where he earned a master’s degree in com-
been close friends in college. She was always there to give
parative religions from St. George’s College. “That
me dating advice. Then one weekend I found myself date-
summer was totally awesome. I spent all of my time
less for a Three Dog Night concert, and I asked her to
studying Christianity, Judaism, and Islam from ex-
come along. That was all it took. We have been together
pert theologians in the field. In addition, I had the
as a couple ever since.” Joe and Carolyn married in 1971.
incredible opportunity to travel throughout Israel
In 1977 when Joe and Carolyn were working in Flor-
and into the Sinai Desert.” (Continued on pg. 10)
ida, their first child, Jason, was born. Three years later
daughter, Joanna, was introduced to the world.
March 2007 Page 9
First Ladies’
Event a Success
On Thursday February 22, Brenda
Rohrer and Carolyn Kanney treated
the wives of company employees to a
Mardi Gras Luncheon held at the Pikeville
Area Family YMCA.
Denny Rohrer dropped by to tell the
ladies how much the company appreciated
their roles as wives and mothers. He
thanked them for being patient and un-
derstanding of the long hours worked by
their husbands during an especially busy
time for the company. Accompanying
Denny was Joe Dickerson, who re-
minded the ladies of the Interstate Honors
Program which rewards children for out-
standing academic performance.
Guests were treated to a wonderful
lunch catered by Charles Martin of Antiq-
uities English Tea Room in Pikeville.
Each guest received layers of colorful
beads and were delighted by the King
Cake baked by Angela Kanney for
the occasion. Door prizes of canvas
tote bags and Walmart gift cards were
given to the winners of several enter-
taining games. Ladies in attendance
included Michelle Stapleton, Lisa Ad-
kins, Anita Daniels, Debbie Tackett,
Kendra Rowe, Kay Bowen and her
daughter Kay, Patricia Igo, Joan
Crank, Arlene Nickles, Martha
Falestead, Frances Justice, Hilda
Blackburn, Beverly Chapman, Helen
Wright, Rachelle Glass, Amanda Ever-
age, and Jeanne Clark.
Page 10 The PipeLine
(Continued from pg. 8) Joe Dickerson
Excuses, excuses— This trip of a lifetime was followed by a move to Atlanta
where Joe bought into Steven Fuller, Inc. For the next
They keep rolling in four years, Joe handled the marketing for world famous
architect Steven Fuller, who designed and built multi-
million dollar homes.
In the past year, 32 percent of workers called in Carolyn, who had been working as a manager for
sick with phony excuses, according to an annual JCPenney for a number of years, was sent to Pikeville to
survey by CareerBuilder conducted by Harris In- help restructure the company's store there. In Pike-
teractive. About one in three admitted to lying ville, she became very involved in the community as a
about being sick to their bosses once a year, one in member of Rotary and being elected to the board of the
10 admitted to doing so three times or more. YMCA.
Most managers admitted that they didn’t ques- When Joe, who was then in South Carolina working
tion most excuses. However, workers should be as a small business consultant, came to visit his wife in
cautious, as 27 percent of managers said they had Pikeville, he met Denny and Jerry. In 2005, Joe was
fired an employee for calling in sick without a hired to work as support for Interstate and Crossrock
good reason. The survey questions 1,650 workers field operations, and a year later he transferred to the
and 1,150 hiring managers. Thompson Road office to apprentice in the land depart-
Workers said they lied about being sick mostly ment. Joe is currently the general manager of field op-
because they wanted to relax (48 percent). erations. “My job is to make it a little easier for the
Twenty-four percent said they needed to catch up crews in the field. Through strategic planning and clear
on some sleep, while 20 percent said they used the communication, each supervisor and each crew can be
time to run personal errands. Sixteen percent said more efficient.
they spent time with friends and family, and 16 Jerry and Denny are born teachers. I have learned
percent said they cleaned the house. so much from each of them. Every day I look forward
One in four workers said they feel that sick days to getting up and going to work, feeling confident that I
are the same as vacation days and they treat them can make a difference in the company.”
as such. When Joe and Carolyn meet on alternate weekends
Forty-one percent of hiring managers said they in Nashville, they enjoy attending the symphony or just
had received what they thought were fishy ex- going on “dates”. Clearly happy wanderers, Joe and
cuses. Here are some of the most unusual excuses Carolyn feel equally at home whether in Paris, New
they reported: York or Pikeville.
• Employee was poisoned by his mother in law.
• A buffalo escaped from the game reserve and
kept charging the employee every time she
tried to go to her car from her house.
• Employee broke his leg while snowboarding
on his roof while he was drunk.
• A skunk got into an employee’s house and
sprayed all his uniforms.
• An employee blew his nose so hard he threw
his back out.
• Employee called from his cell phone saying he
was locked in a bathroom stall and there was
The gang at the Thompson Road office celebrated
no one to let him out.
Mardi Gras by donning crazy bead necklaces and sam-
• Employee was feeling all the same symptoms
pling Angie Kanney’s fabulous King Cake, a Mardi Gras
as his pregnant wife. tradition. This year “lucky” Johni Allen received the
piece of cake with the plastic baby hidden inside. It’s
your turn to make the cake next year Johni!
March 2007 Page 11
Meet the Family
CPA Staff Interstate Natural Gas Co. Crossrock, Inc.
Johni Allen William Abrams Christopher Everage Jamie Newsome Darrell Arnett
Jennifer Blackburn David Adkins Robert Everage James Nickles Steven Caudill
Elizabeth Byrd Gary Asher Buddy Ferrell James Parsons Justin Cornett
Mike Burke Jason P. Baker Jerry Fields Josh Proctor Lawrence Cornett
Jaime Chaney Lee Baker Walter France David Ratcliff Eric Couch
Jeanne Clark Fred Ballard Kenneth Gannon Jonathon Ratliff Nathan Dailey
Amy Clevinger Kelly Barnett Kevin Garrett Mike Rice Brian Hager
Ginell Crisp Richard Belcher Earnie Gibson Ollie Risner Charles Lemaster
James Glass Adam Bentley Ronnie Gipson Brenda Rohrer Marcus Lindon
Heather Greene Billy Blackburn Mike Grubb Michael Rohrer James Maynard
Michelle Hunter Derrick Blackburn Steven Hale Chad Rowe Steven Oakes
Susie Johnson Glenn D. Blackburn Matt Hamilton James S. Salyer Patrick Osborne
Angela Kanney Scotty Blackburn Willie Hampton Paul Shepherd Paul McCarty
Carolyn Kanney Michael Bowen Michael Harris Danny Skeens John Mims
Tammy Keathley Ray Allen Breeding William Holbrook Brian Stanley Randy Noble
Charlene Kinder Clifford Burchett Brandon Howard Lonnie G. Stanley Eric Prater
James Newt Meade Robert Carlisle Ryan Hunt Jeffrey Stapleton Odis Ritchie
Judy Muncy Ronald Carlisle William Hunt Roy G. Stapleton Danny Rose
Doug Pauley Kenneth Carty Randy Iricks Josh Stewart Roger Rose
Jayneen Rosser Corey Castle Carlos Jessee Brian Tackett Jerry Rowe
Stephanie Warrix Kevin Caudill Nicholas Joseph Leslie Tackett William Rowe
Charles Chapman Wayne Joseph Mark Tackett Phillip Sexton
Donald Chapman Jerry R. Justice Brad Tibbs Dennis Sizemore
Gene Childers Carolyn Kanney Marty Tibbs Howard Starcher
Jerry Cole Terry Keaton Jared Vanhoose Hosea Stiltner
Jeremy Coleman Donald L. Kidd Wilson O. Vanzant Loren Short Jr.
Carl R. Collier Justin R. Kidd Brandon Waddles Melton Vanzant, Jr.
John Collins Larry Kidd Michael Walters
Alfred Combs Sandy Lowe Elmer Watkins
Steven Conn Matt Mayor Ralph Watkins
Michael Crum Joe Meade Danny Whitt
James Curnutte Kelly Meade Jackie Whitt
Darryl Damron Tony Meade Randy Whitt
Joe Dickerson John D. Messer Charles Wright
tural Gas
Interstate Na
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Your partners in serving the economy and the community!
Jerome A. Kanney
General Partner
Dennis L. Rohrer
General Partner
www.interstatenaturalgascompany.com