Celebrating Rita Hercules: 50 Years of Excellence at KGPCo
June 18, 2024
KGPCo is proud to celebrate a monumental milestone: Rita Hercules' 50th anniversary with our company. Rita's journey began in 1974 with North Electric when there were just 75 employees. She started in an "office managing group" where desks sat back-to-back, and despite the high-pressure environment of her position, her ability to type 90 words per minute allowed her to excel.
Throughout her tenure, Rita has worn many hats. She has worked in Human Resources, served as a Graphic Designer for many years, and even ventured into Information Technology. In those early days, everything was done by hand and printed on paper. Rita fondly recalls a memorable moment when she was pulled over by the police while driving home with a car full of cardboard cutout basketball characters she had created for a sales meeting. The sight of all those heads in her car window left her and the police in stitches.
One cherished tradition was her Friday routine with the company president, Stan Fisher. Rita would take his car to the car wash and pick up tenderloin sandwiches from a local restaurant called, A-OK. They both enjoyed these lunches so much that Rita never took vacation days on Fridays. It was these small moments that made her job so enjoyable.
Rita’s advice to young people is simple yet profound: never turn down an opportunity, whether it’s in your job description or not. She believes that seizing every chance that comes your way can bring unexpected and rewarding experiences into your life.
After her first ten years at KGPCo, Rita knew she didn’t want to work anywhere else. She had made countless friends and enjoyed coming to work every day. She has had the pleasure of working under many bosses, all of whom she speaks highly of, contributing to the family-oriented culture she loves so much at KGPCo.
Outside of work, Rita is a proud mother of two and grandmother to eight. Her daughter’s journey of adopting five sibling children, is a testament to the values Rita holds dear. She encourages everyone to take advantage of every opportunity and to teach generosity to their children.
Rita has faced her share of challenges, including enduring layoffs and the uncertainty they bring. Yet, her resilience and dedication have seen her through. She cherishes the company activities that allowed her to bond with colleagues and their families, strengthening both personal and professional relationships.
Flex time is a benefit Rita appreciates now, contrasting with the rigid schedules of the past. She reflects on the importance of balancing work and family, emphasizing that success in both requires dedication beyond the typical 8AM-5PM workday.
Rita's contributions to KGPCo are significant. She was part of the “Ready Net Go” initiative, that transformed the company's software landscape. During the transition to KGP, she spent a year in the war room, learning the business from the ground up and mastering her new role. Her tenacity and ability to persevere through frustration have been key to her success.
Rita's philosophy of maintaining healthy relationships is rooted deeply in the belief that one must resolve disagreements without holding grudges. She told us the motto she lives by:
“Never walk away, or go to bed angry, because you don’t know what tomorrow may bring.”
We congratulate Rita Hercules on her incredible 50-year journey with KGPCo. Her dedication, adaptability, and positive spirit are an inspiration to us all. Here’s to many more years of success and happiness, Rita! Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for our company.
