How would you describe your job? We deliver various building materials to job sites. In my current job, I manage all the drivers, I dispatch the trucks. I was an

over-the-road driver for several years. I was the boom truck

(ENLARGE)

Pat Poyner, age 39 Pasquotank County Shipping Manager Allstate Building Supply Co., 6 years

operator at Allstate for six years.

Has your job been affected by changes in technology or other changes? The forklifts that we have now have made our job much easier, because we're able to deliver right to the

construction sites where builders want the materials. We're able to take the truck and position it exactly where it is needed. It is an all-terrain vehicle with a specialized lift. Now we are able to be more productive.

Besides salary, what benefits do you derive from your work? I like this line of work. It's a satisfaction in delivering materials and watching a house or building go up and knowing you were a part of it.

What are the long-term or indirect benefits of your job? Being in the business, I'm allowed to see how things work and learn about different materials, so it kind of makes it easy for me to talk to people when they have questions about materials.

How do you see your job benefiting the larger community? Being in the community a long time, when I look around and see all the different subdivisions that have come up, knowing you are a part of helping the community to grow. I'm part of the history (of the area), in a way.

— John Henderson