More than 300 employees, retirees, guests and company leadership came together Saturday, September 19, for an evening dedicated to the employees, relationships and history that have shaped Hapco.
Founded in 1951, Hapco relocated to Abingdon, Virginia, in 1962, where it has grown into a leading American manufacturer of aluminum and steel pole products serving customers and markets across the country.
The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on that history, recognize those who helped make it possible, and look ahead to the next chapter.
Celebrating the Employees Behind 75 Years
President and CEO Tom Hardy welcomed employees and guests by recognizing those who helped build Hapco, those carrying the company forward today, and the families who have supported them along the way.
Hardy also welcomed a group of Hapco retirees back for the celebration, recognizing their contributions to the company’s history, along with representatives from TCE and Hapco’s parent company, The Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation (DKM).
“The next 75 years starts tonight—right now.”
Tom Hardy II
President & CEO
75 Years of Relationships
Russell Lowe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, brought a unique perspective to the anniversary. Before joining Hapco nearly 18 months ago, Lowe spent approximately 25 years as a Hapco customer.
His remarks reflected on the reputation and relationships Hapco has built throughout the lighting industry over 75 years.
“We have something that cannot be manufactured overnight: 75 years of credibility.”
— Russell Lowe, Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Recognizing Generations of Service
Rich Brooks, Vice President of Operations, continued the employee-centered message, reflecting on the generations who have contributed to Hapco’s success.
“Tonight is not really about buildings, equipment, or products. It is about people. What people remember are friendships, mentors, teammates, and the people who helped them succeed.”
Brooks recognized several of Hapco’s longest-tenured employees: Mickey Rouse, CL Campbell, Jeff Wright, Coy Wolfe, Sherry Hazen, David Grubb and David Allen.
Together, they represent decades of service and the thousands of employees who have contributed to Hapco throughout its 75-year history.
Generations of Commitment
The evening also included remarks from Rob Dyson and Chris Dyson of DKM.
For Rob, the anniversary carried a personal connection spanning decades. He recalled first visiting Hapco as a 13-year-old with his father, DKM founder Charles H. Dyson.
More than six decades later, Rob returned to celebrate Hapco’s 75th Anniversary alongside his son, Chris—a fitting connection between Hapco’s history and its future. Their appearance came during a year of generational transition at DKM, with Chris assuming the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Rob continuing as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors.
75th Anniversary Gala Highlights
An Evening 75 Years in the Making
The celebration gave employees and their guests an opportunity to step away from the workday and simply enjoy the milestone together.
An interactive photo mosaic came together throughout the evening as attendees contributed individual photos to create a commemorative 75th Anniversary image. A photo booth captured more memories from the celebration, while a caricature artist remained busy throughout the night creating personalized drawings for guests.
Dinner and drinks were followed by music and dancing, and employees and guests received commemorative gifts marking Hapco’s 75th Anniversary.
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Looking Ahead
While the evening celebrated the employees, relationships and accomplishments behind Hapco’s first 75 years, the message throughout the night was also one of looking forward.
Hapco continues to invest in its future, including the addition of a new 270,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City that will supplement the company’s flagship Virginia operation, expand manufacturing capacity and geographic reach, and support continued growth.
As Hardy reminded those gathered Saturday evening, the milestone is about more than looking back. It is also about recognizing those carrying Hapco forward today and beginning the company’s next chapter.
“The next 75 years starts tonight—right now.”
