Lynden is recognizing employees who make a difference every day on the job and demonstrate our core values, Lynden's very own everyday heroes! Employees are nominated by managers and supervisors from all roles within the Lynden family of companies.
Introducing Carl Peterson, Warehouse Lead at Northland Services in Seattle, Washington. 
Name: Carl Peterson
Company: Northland Services
Title: Warehouse Lead
Location: Terminal 115, Seattle
On the Job Since: 1996
Superpower: White-glove service
Hometown: Ketchikan, AK
Favorite Movie: The Bourne Identity
Bucket List Destination: Ireland
For Fun: Golf, movies, hanging out and cooking with family
How and when did you start working for Northland Services?
I started my career in the marine transportation industry in Ketchikan in 1985 with Boyer and worked there until 1991 when I moved to Seattle at the invitation of a friend. I was in my mid-20s and worked at a few companies in Seattle. One job was working for an industrial paint and sandblasting company on the West Point Water Treatment Plant. We used a rubberized coating on the underground tunnels to waterproof them and did some painting. Eventually I ended up working for Boyer again. At that time, Boyer served Southeast Alaska as a barge and tug company. Boyer was acquired by Northland in 2002, so I’ve been in the business for around 35 years.
What is a typical day like for you?
Depends on what time of year it is. Right now, I get up at 6 a.m. and leave my house for the 30-minute commute from Issaquah. Start time is 8:30.
I come to my desk, sit down, turn on the computer and start checking email. I get my water bottle and clipboard and go to the forklift. I am the guy in charge. I oversee seven employees. The receiving office will call out our scheduled trucks. I give the correct dock door for offload and any instructions. We have three different shifts in the warehouse to provide maximum coverage. I’m on the closing shift at 5 p.m. During busy months we might bring one or two additional people in for products that are shipped up to Alaska for a customer. I am in charge of knowing what kind of equipment might be needed for specific loads and freight and answering any questions that may come up.
What has been most challenging in your career?
Finding solutions to everyday problems that I encounter and trying my best in each situation. Most freight is in containers, but some of the things that come in leave us trying to figure out how they got that in there. It’s a lot easier pushing something in than taking something out. In pushing something in, you have the flat on the deck to push against. To pull it out, you have to get underneath and pull. The challenge is to come up with ideas on unfamiliar or uncommon freight and how to unload it with what we have available. Sometimes we have to pull it away from the warehouse, get a bigger bull (forklift), grab it and reverse it to get it back into a can (container).
What are you most proud of in your career?
Receiving acknowledgement from customers. Each day that I work with them I try to give them excellent service and put a smile on their face. In the past I’ve had customers either call or write in that they were pleased with the service I provided. My motto is to try to have fun at work and be positive. Look at the glass half full not half empty. Your day is going to be a lot better with some humor and corny jokes.
Can you tell us about your family and growing up years?
I grew up in Ketchikan and have a brother and a sister still living there. Another brother is on Prince of Wales Island and another sister in Nikiski and another brother in Vancouver, WA. I’m one of seven kids: Betty Ann, Leo, Ron, Bill, Karen, Mae and me. Had plenty of hand-me-downs with the four boys. Growing up in Ketchikan with the big family and the area where we lived was fun. There were other big families and we played outside in the snow in winter and rain the rest of the time. I wrestled in school, but got too busy with other things. I played basketball, football and baseball through Ketchikan Youth Football League (KYFL), which is like a Pop Warner league for kids 10 through 15. The first year I was a tight end, and backup quarterback, then played defense. I started helping the coach that coached me. Did that with baseball, football and then, when I was 19, I started coaching basketball.
I married my wife Sandy in 1994. I was out one night with a friend and we went to a bar called Sophie’s off Highway 99 in Lynnwood, WA to go dancing. I saw Sandy and asked her to dance, but it turned into a slow song and she said no. She was the third person to say no to me that night, so I was done. I was sitting at the bar with my friend and one of her friends approached me and said that Sandy really did want to dance with me but she was afraid to ask me. I asked her to dance, then invited her out on a date and we ended up getting married. We don’t do too much dancing anymore, but sometimes we go to the Tulalip Casino to hear live music.
What was your first job?
I was a paper boy, selling papers on the street. Then I had a paper route, delivered on foot or by bike.
What would surprise most people about you?
I started umpiring at 16 and became a Certified Little League umpire at 19. I went to a week-long training at the Little League headquarters in California. Not all who take the course get certified, so it was a proud moment. I wanted to be a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I like hanging out with my wife Sandy and son Tristan, 35. He is a travel nurse so we go see him wherever he is working. He’s coming back home to Washington to take a new assignment at Harborview Hospital so we will see him a lot more. He is engaged and getting married next year.
We have a beach home in Westport, WA where we spend a lot of time. When we are there, I spend almost every Saturday golfing at Highland Golf Course in Cosmopolis about 30 minutes away. My wife drives the golf cart.
What do you like best about your job?
The positive interactions with staff and customers. I enjoy helping others and using my experience to help solve problems whether it’s the people I work with or customers. I try to make things as pleasant and happy as possible.
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