A Welcome Presence for 41 Years: KA Senior Receptionist Kathy James Retires
Kathy James retires in April as Senior Receptionist at Kraus-Anderson headquarters. For 41 years, she’s been the voice of warm welcome and patient, reassuring guidance for countless callers and in-person visitors to KA; as well as hundreds of employees, retirees, and extended KA family. This week, Kathy shares some of her long perspective from the front desk.
You are one of the most recognizable faces at KA, and your soft Kentucky drawl is one of your trademarks. Tell us something about your home state.
KATHY JAMES: Kentucky has beautiful forests, rivers, streams and rolling hills. It’s an area where you just want to roll down all the car windows and listen to the wind passing through as you drive the narrow winding country roads.
What brought you to Minneapolis, and when?
KATHY JAMES: I wanted make something on my own, have an adventure. I came to Minneapolis, MN to help start a campus ministry at the University of Minnesota in 1981. I didn’t know anyone before I arrived.
What did you learn in adjusting to life in Minnesota?
KATHY JAMES: People are very honest most of the time and they’ll tell you if you’re doing something wrong. I had to learn to be honest and not say things I thought people wanted to hear. What a freedom I found!
How did your career path lead you to KA?
I had a variety of jobs in Minneapolis before KA. I worked as a nanny for a couple of families I met through the church. Then for a while I was a server at the Campus Club. Working at the Plasma center I took vitals on people as part of their check-in. Then I did telephone cold call sales for Breezy Point Resort. I did well enough there that I got promoted to reservations. But I got laid off a month before Christmas, so I went to a temp agency, Diane Pflafferty. When they saw my resume they said, “You’re perfect! I can’t believe how perfect you are!” Sheepishly, I said, “I am?” And Diane sent me to KA. I started in January 1985 in the (previous) headquarters office at 525 S. Eighth Street.
What do you remember about those early years at the KA front desk?
KATHY JAMES: I remember we’d get mail addressed to “Cross Anderson,” which was what people heard when I pronounced the name of the company when giving out the address on the phone…When I came here, the phones were all analog and came in through the front desk. I was taking 500 to 700 calls a day, you had to be fast and accurate. I had a lot of trouble with my memory the first three months when I started. I prayed for a good memory. After the third month the neurons had created new pathway so my brain could retain information and I had memorized all the 3-digit extensions. Today with direct dial extensions, it’s a lot easier, but you still have to retain a lot of information.
What time do you arrive at work?
KATHY JAMES: 6:45AM. Start time 7:00AM.
Are you a morning person?
KATHY JAMES: No.
What does a typical day look like?
KATHY JAMES: Check the coffee and Bevi machines in the KAfé. Talk to Tim Alexson and inform him of any maintenance issues. Listen and respond to any voicemail recordings and emails. Update daily forms with today’s date. Process any UPS and USPS. Steady flow of phones, answering questions. Just staying busy and completing everything I put my hand on. A job well done is a good day.
You have also taken on a number of other responsibilities over the years that help us celebrate our people and their milestones, including newborn baby blankets, maintaining our retirees database, making sure the retirees have parking vouchers when they are at a KA event, and notifying coworkers when a KA retiree has died or an employee’s family member has died. Comment?
KATHY JAMES: It’s all about caring for others, making their lives less stressful in times of difficult loss and in happy times like when a new baby comes along.
Who are some of the notable people you have welcomed into the KA lobby over the years?
KATHY JAMES: Lloyd Engelsma, Dan Engelsma, Bruce Engelsma, George Miken, Gloria Tew, Skip Humphrey, Duncan Dayton, Al Quie, Bob Cunningham.
Lloyd’s office was right near the front lobby, he would always stop by my desk to say hello. And he made it a habit to shake hands and introduce himself to anyone in the lobby. He definitely had celebrity status. People he spoke to were impressed and awed with his openness and humility. It was said by the subcontractors, “Lloyd played Monopoly with real blocks.”
Bruce still stops by the front desk to say hello when he’s in for meetings.
Bob Cunningham is always kind and is a gift to KA. He is always encouraging and positive. He has great “Dad” qualities.
You’ve met thousands of people over the years, from every walk of life, and treat everyone with such care and hospitality. Do you have any tips for remembering names, faces, or other personal likes/dislikes? Do you keep a cheat sheet of notes?
KATHY JAMES: I kept a log of all the projects and project managers/superintendents. It seemed right to have a history.
I try to treat others the way I would want to be treated. I would rather be on the side of kindness than judgment.
Looking back now, why do you think you stayed at KA (and became a permanent transplant to Minnesota) all these years?
KATHY JAMES: My momma told me I had to keep this job. So, I listened.
How would you wish to be remembered at KA?
KATHY JAMES: I want to be known as the greatest receptionist of all time and for my kindness.
What do you look forward to doing in retirement?
KATHY JAMES: Taking classes at the community center that are offered only during work hours. And visiting various small downtowns throughout Minnesota. And I’m going to sleep in until 7 AM!
Anything else you’d like to share?
KATHY JAMES: It’s been an incredible career. I found people who care about me and are equally hard workers. I think the Engelsma/Diessner families should be proud of the class of people KA has hired throughout the company.
CATEGORY: Construction