Hayden: Job well done

HAYDEN — It's crystal clear how much the Odom Corporation appreciates the city of Hayden, especially staff members Connie Krueger and Larry Stark.

Odom President and CEO John Odom and regional operations manager Dale Birchell presented Krueger and Stark with hefty crystal plaques during the Hayden City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

"I'm pretty amazed, I really am," said Stark, head building inspector and plan reviewer, as he opened the box to view the plaque. "I've never had anything this nice."

On the plaques are photos of Odom's new 92,000-square-foot facility, the developing of which Odom and Birchell said was an impressive collaborative venture to conduct with Hayden and its staff.

“They earned it," Birchell said. "We came in and met with Larry and Connie and team and we had one large meeting, pretty much worked everything out, redlined everything and at that point we were able to start construction within a week."

Birchell said Krueger, who is Hayden's community and economic development director, and Stark thoroughly mapped out everything in the initial stages of planning.

"They knew exactly what we needed to do and accomplish," he said. "It made it easy. It made it work."

Odom, who traveled from Bellevue, Wash., to thank Stark, Krueger and council members in person, said he wanted to extend a personal touch "to be sure to give them the same courtesy they provided us." He said it can be much more difficult and expensive to build in other cities, but working with Hayden was a very positive experience.

“I’m here to make other people successful and to make them money," Stark said. "That’s my personal feeling in why some things work for different people. We drive that right here, that's what we use."

"They’re great people that are very good at their jobs, very efficient and can-do attitudes, it was a win-win," Odom said. "It was very impressive to see private industry come together with city government, equaling the great outcome. I think this is what everyone would hope for in building.

"I think this city should be proud of their elected officials."

The Odom Corporation operates in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Overall, it employs more than 1,400 team members, with 150 employees at the Hayden facility, located at 12281 N. Warren St.

"We're here for many years and have lots of great opportunities for employment and we’re part of the local community that we can help as well," Odom said. "We’re very grateful for the work that was put in by your team. Well done."