Progress: Depot Debris Displacers

Published 3:30 pm Friday, March 11, 2011

Hero: Elisa Peterson

Secret identity: freight supervisor

Base of operations: The Home Depot, Albert Lea

Superpower: quick to volunteer

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Kryptonite: sweets

From left: Elisa Peterson, Gina Solland, Mel Johnson and Gary Johnson. -- Photo by Tim Engstrom/Cutout by Stacey Bahr

Affiliations: husband, Kelly; daughter, Keira, 2

Origin: Six years ago, she went hunting for a job, and she was hired at The Home Depot.

Hero: Gina Solland

Secret identity: flooring supervisor

Base of operations: The Home Depot, Albert Lea

Superpower: helpful, friendly and humorous

Kryptonite: needs new wheels

Affiliations: sons Nicholas, 19, Anthony, 21, Dominick, 27

Origin: She started seven years ago at The Home Depot because “I love hardware.”

Hero: Mel Johnson

Secret identity: contractor saleswoman

Base of operations: The Home Depot, Albert Lea

Superpower: a kind people person

Kryptonite: social butterfly

Affiliations: daughters Chelsea, 22, Ashley, 20; granddaughter, Brynna, 1

Origin: Nine years ago, she was working as a waitress at Applebee’s and had applied for a position at Albert Lea’s new Home Depot. She happened to meet the store manager at the restaurant, and he scheduled an interview for the next morning.

Hero: Gary Johnson

Secret identity: specialty assistant manager

Base of operations: The Home Depot, Albert Lea

Superpower: trustworthy

Kryptonite: fishing, cabin up north

Affiliations: wife, Cathy; sons Brian, 27, Brad, 24

Origin: He was recruited from his prior employer to work at The Home Depot five years ago.

Volunteer spirit

During the days following the June 17 tornado outbreak, a call went out for people to assist with picking up debris in the corn and soybean fields around the Albert Lea area. These four Home Depot employees stepped forward to help and spent time in the fields picking up whatever they could find. Yes, the chainsaw helped, too.

About Tim Engstrom

Tim Engstrom is the editor of the Albert Lea Tribune. He resides in Albert Lea with his wife, two sons and dog.

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