The entire Grade Tech team gathered at the office in Sandy last week to bid Paula Engebritson a fond farewell. Paula, Grade Tech Truck Driver, and her beloved dog and loyal companion in the truck, Vern, are driving off into the sunset, retiring after a 40+ year career behind the wheel.
The Grade Tech conference room was decked out with pink and purple balloons and other festive decorations, setting the stage for a happy celebration with lots of memories and laughs. The team presented Paula with a gift basket and everyone was impressed with the incredible replica of Paula and Vern’s sweet ride—check out that awesome cake in the photos!
Rory Hall, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Grade Tech explained that Paula is much more than just the “girl in the driver’s seat. “Paula has been a part of the family since the early years, when she worked with dad and me at Hall Excavation,” he said. “So, it’s really hard to say goodbye, but we wish Paula (and Vern) the best of luck and hope she has a long, healthy retirement.”
Paula got her start behind the wheel in 1987, driving for her dad’s construction company. She started driving a truck and a pup trailer and then moved up to driving double belly dump trucks. She worked with Rory and Billy Hall at their first company, Hall Excavation, and after years on the road for different companies, returned to Grade Tech 3 years ago. Paula has logged numerous hours and miles behind the wheel with Vern by her side and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve been trucking all my life and love working outdoors,” she explained. “My dad trained me to drive trucks and after all these years, I still love what I do.”
Now that Paula and Vern are officially retired, they are embarking on a new adventure, moving to Idaho to be closer to Paula’s daughter and spend some time in the great outdoors. Paula and Vern will both be missed by all of us.
Please join us in wishing Paula Engebritson and Vern a happy retirement. They have certainly earned it!
Check out the party photos and the sweet replica of Paula and Vern’s ride!
