BISM Logo, blue and gold compass with modern styled letters reading BISM Empowering the Blind Community, employing, educating, training.
BISM Logo, blue and gold compass with modern styled letters reading BISM Empowering the Blind Community, employing, educating, training.

Feature Friday – BISM Associates

Meet Alton Foskey

  • Alton Foskey, wearing a green BISM shirt, standing in front of a sign reading Happy 30th Anniversary
Alton Foskey, wearing a green BISM shirt, standing in front of a sign reading Happy 30th Anniversary

Celebrating his thirty year anniversary just this past Tuesday, Alton Foskey is an Associate in our Salisbury cutting facility and works as a Material Handler and Spreader.

Alton began his BISM career at the our Northwood Drive location and, when BISM decided to open an independent cutting facility, he was a part of this initial crew and has worked there since. Recently, we had a chance to talk to Alton and get his reflections on his working career at BISM and asked him to share a little about his personal life.  As a bonus, he has some wise words to Associates just starting out in the company.

What’s the best place you’ve traveled to?
Pigeon Ford, Tennessee. I loved it so much that I ended up living there for 2 years. It was such a relaxed and easy-going town. The people were very laid back which was my favorite thing about being there.

What is something you’re proud of?
I am proud of what I have done for myself during my time here at BISM. I am proud to have been a part of the growth of our cutting department.

What’s something you find challenging about your work?
There are those days that are trying when we get bad raw material. When we want to make our quota, having bad material makes that a hard thing to do.

Who do you look up to within the company?
Randy Holmes - who was originally from Baltimore – was my mentor. He passed away in 2021. I met him when I first came to BISM and we worked at the Northwood Drive location. He was my supervisor for the majority of my time here. Randy was a good guy and impacted my time at BISM in a positive way.

What is your favorite memory?
The birth of my two daughters. They are now 36 and 33. I also have a total of 6 grandchildren.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
I enjoy gardening. In the summer, I like getting out in my yard to do some work. I also love doing things with my church. We have a ministry that provides food to those in need from May through December. I enjoy volunteering with this ministry during that time.

What is your idea of a perfect day?
When everything is running like a well-oiled machine. If everything runs well and I am able to get the job done right, I consider That to be a perfect day.

What advice do you have for someone just starting a career here at BISM?
Come in the door with a positive attitude and always put your best foot forward! Do this and you won’t go wrong.

Huge thanks to Alton for all he has contributed to BISM over the past thirty years!