Carey Hoskinson grew up in Liberal, but Dodge City has become his home town — and he's got the parade to prove it.
On Saturday morning, Dodge City will seal the deal, when Hoskinson rolls along Wyatt Earp, waving to well-wishers in his new role as marshal of the town's Dodge City Days Parade.
No wonder Hoskinson feels at home in Dodge. He's been a part of so many thousands of local lives that he and his wife, Kim, have become honorary natives. The Hoskinson children grew up here — and the youngest, Hannah, is still at Dodge City High School.
As the vice president and general manager of National Beef's Dodge City plant, Hoskinson is responsible for the well-being of 3,000 local employees. But since all those workers and all their families are also members of the community, Hoskinson tracks a host of other issues that may not seem related to processing beef.
That's because he understands that supporting the community is one of the best investments a company can make.
"We've tried to be a good neighbor, and I think we've shown that we are," said Hoskinson. "We are involved with the community in many ways, from hosting big neighborhood barbecues, to partnering with local schools, to providing employment opportunities that benefit thousands of families."
Still, Hoskinson said he was astonished when Dan Harris called him to announce Dodge's newest parade marshal.
"I was completely surprised," he said. "I really had no idea they were even thinking of me. It feels a bit astonishing. I'm honored to be part of the long history between Dodge City and National Beef. And the Dodge Days history is also a long tradition — National Beef has participated in Dodge City Days for the past 25 years."
Hoskinson knows something about a long tradition.
He started off at National Beef 33 years ago as a 19-year-old meat cutter. He soon moved up to first line supervisor, and by then, he knew he'd found his permanent career.
"By the time I was 25, I'd moved into middle management as a superintendent of operations. I just kept going," said Hoskinson. "My dad was a meat inspector for the US Department of Agriculture, and he had a strong work ethic, which he passed on to me."
At 28, he was appointed as fabrication manager, and later in 1998, Hoskinson was appointed the vice president and general manager of National Beef's Dodge City processing plant.
He and Kim settled down here with their daughters, Haley, Holly and Hannah. Pretty soon, Dodge felt like home. The family has a deep appreciation for this community — and now Dodge City plans to let the world know that the feeling is mutual.
Saturday will be a great day for a parade.
Reach Claire O'Brien at (620) 408-9931 or e-mail her at claire.obrien@dodgeglobe.com.
