HUMBOLDT — Opportunity seldom knocks twice.
When one arose, Kenny Miller took advantage 42 years ago and today is vice president of cement manufacturing for Monarch Cement Co. He replaced Harvey Buckley, who retired March 31.
Opportunity for Miller came at the end of a summer of temporary work at Monarch. He had graduated from Humboldt High School in 1970 and was attending Allen County Community College.
“At the end of the summer Leonard Hass (his supervisor) asked if I’d like to work another six months,” Miller said.
Monarch, as it has over the years, was taking advantage of new technology to make modifications on a preheater, a towering structure that preheats raw material being fed into a kiln.
“I thought it was a good chance to earn some extra money for school,” Miller said, although his father, Kenneth Miller, a Monarch supervisor, wasn’t as enthusiastic.
“He was afraid I wouldn’t go back to school,” Miller said.
Miller later earned a bachelor’s degree through Friends University.
He has had a long, steady climb at Monarch. The progression began with him being a utility laborer. Within a year Miller was operating an overhead crane, moved on to shipping and then spent 22 years in maintenance, including five years as the department’s supervisor. He was promoted to assistant plant manager in 2005, plant manager in 2012, and now to the vice presidency.
As plant manager Miller was responsible for day-to-day operations throughout the plant.
“I coordinated everything, from quarry to production,” he said.
In his new position, his duties include dealing with contracts and major purchases, and “going beyond day-to-day operations,” Miller said. “I look into the future, 10 to 15 years, to where Monarch is headed.”
His rise through ranks isn’t unparalleled, and shows that “you can do anything if you put your mind to it and have the drive to keep moving up,” he said.
Miller credits his wife, Cheryl, with support, when Monarch demands affected home life.
“Many times, when we have a breakdown, I put the job first,” he said, including a Christmas Day when their children had to put off opening presents a couple of hours until dad returned home from work.
The Millers have three sons — Mike, a Humboldt High teacher and coach, Kenny, who lives in Kansas City, and Kris, Lawrence — and a daughter, Amy, who also lives in Kansas City.
