Everyday Hero Profile: Kirk Knudson

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 Kirk Knudson, Operations Manager at Lynden Logistics in Seattle, Washington.



Name: Kirk Knudson

Company: Lynden Logistics

Title: Night Operations Manager

Location: Seattle

On the Job Since: 1993

Superpower: Selflessness

Hometown: Renton, WA

Favorite Movie: 2 Fast 2 Furious 

Bucket List Destination: Sturgis, ND 

For Fun: Motorcycles, old cars

How and when did you start working for Lynden? 
I interviewed with Kirk Schweikart in 1993 and started as a part-time airport recovery driver. I heard about the job through Scott Crowe who was working nights. I would sort freight on the dock for the delivery drivers and help Bulldog Express load their trucks. Lynden was looking for an afternoon driver, and I needed some extra cash, so I got hired on driving for them. Later in the same year, there was an open position for the night crew, and I've been on nights ever since. I've been working swing shift most all of my career and prefer working nights.

What is a typical day like for you?
I get up, hit the gym, run to the store, work around the house, go into work, come home and watch YouTube. I live in Fife which is about a 25-minute drive. 

What has been most challenging in your career?
Trying to figure out how to put all the moving parts together. Airlines have cutoffs and trying to get the freight dropped in time to meet these cutoffs has always been challenging. You never know when the freight is going to be back to the dock. Then we need to process the freight and hope we have a drop driver standing by to drop the freight. Trying to route, label, screen, load in containers and load back into a drop truck in a timely manner when freight gets back on our dock has always been a challenge.

What are you most proud of in your career?
I try to be supportive of my co-workers.

Can you tell us about your family and growing up years?
My family is huge. My Mom is Hawaiian-Filipino-Portuguese, and my Dad is Norwegian. We had lots of family parties, so it was fun growing up in my family.

I have two brothers and one sister. I am the youngest of my family. But being the youngest you get a little bit of everyone because they want to teach you their ways and then you end up being the leader of the bunch because you're the only one that everyone can talk to… funny how that works. We still have family parties where everyone makes a homemade dish and there is always plenty of food. Our parties can range from 30 to 70 people, always including kids.

What was your first job?
I was hired at 16 to work at Gai's Bakery in Seattle. I worked there for three years as the plastic tray washer. I would also clean the parking lot.

What would surprise most people about you?
I own seven vehicles. They are old and nothing to brag about, but my oldest one is a 1951 GMC 100 truck. I do work on my own vehicles because I'm too cheap to take my cars in to have them fixed.

How do you spend your time outside of work? 
I enjoy riding my motorcycles and camping. I have a small travel trailer that I bought just so we can take our golden retriever camping. His name is Miles, he loves camping. Our favorite spot is in Cle Elum, WA, by Salmon La Sac. Usually there is no one around, and Miles doesn't need to be on a leash. One time he got sprayed by a skunk and stunk for months. He was like Pepe Le Pew!

What do you like best about your job?
There are a few people that have been a huge support to me, and I couldn't do my job without them. I appreciate the whole Seattle crew. They are all heroes to me: 

• Debbie Chervenak always has my back. She is really sharp and catches my mistakes. TOP NOTCH. 
• Kristina Jordan has a heart of gold. Super smart, cares about the company and the people.
• Debbi Crain knows the system and is always willing to share her knowledge. So lucky to have her working here.
• Shelby Jordan is my main guy. We run a small crew in Seattle and if people get sick or are on vacation, it ends up being just me and Shelby getting it done. Great worker!
• Robert Thomas is my new boss, and I really enjoy working for him. The freight business can hit you 100 mph, and Robert is always so polite and calm.
• Kirk Schweikart is the king of all kings. Coming from construction where everyone likes to yell at each other this was a big change. When I met Kirk, I said to myself, "I want to work for this guy." I respected him so much that I wanted to work here. He is not just a great boss, but a great human being.