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 Traci Hough, Customer Service Representative at Alaska Marine Lines in Seattle, Washington. 
Name: Traci Hough
Company: Alaska Marine Lines
Title: Customer Service Representative II
Location: Seattle
On the Job Since: 1988
Superpower: Organization
Hometown: Renton, WA
Favorite Movie: Back to the Future
Bucket List Destination: Everywhere in the Caribbean
For Fun: Playing volleyball, watching the Seahawks play, and reading mystery novels
How and when did you start working for Alaska Marine Lines?
I started working in the marine industry in 1988 for The Barge Lines which was merged into Northland Services in 1997. Northland was acquired and merged with Alaska Marine Lines in 2013. I started billing for SE Alaska and helping with accounting for The Barge Lines, spent 13 years in Accounts Payable for Northland Services, and billed SE and Central Alaska once I was working for Alaska Marine Lines. My hope is to return to the accounting department someday.
What is a typical day like for you?
I start my day with a serving of tea to get me moving. I dig into my central bills, and I am pretty focused on that during my day. I also back up the Southeast Alaska billers when I have the time. I enjoy both working at home and the office; this is a good balance for me.
What has been most challenging in your career?
A lot of employees do stay for many years at our company, but it is hard when some moves on or retires. Change is always good, but it is always challenging.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I am proud of staying in the industry for all my work years.
Can you tell us about your family and growing up years?
I grew up in Renton, WA and stayed in the same house all my childhood with one brother and one sister. My parents were married 69 years before my dad died last year, still living in the same house they built in 1965. I was married to my high school sweetheart at age 19, and we are still married 37 years later. We have two grown daughters, both married, and our oldest daughter and son-in-law have a 4-year-old-son.
What was your first job?
A typist for Holiday Inn part-time during my senior year in high school.
What would surprise most people about you?
I went parasailing in Grand Cayman.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I am quite the homebody who enjoys reading mystery novels, doing puzzles, playing with my dog and spending time with my husband. One of my favorite authors is JD Robb. She is also known as Nora Roberts for writing romance novels as well.
What do you like best about your job?
Shipping and billing can be like a puzzle, fitting the pieces in the proper places. I love solving puzzles and making things fit in their proper place.
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