Baby Boomers Retire

LONGVIEW - More than 60 years ago the baby boomers started their careers....now its almost time for them to retire and let the next generation take over.

Billy Townsend is only five years into his career and he said, "Its big shoes to fill and we've had a lot of guys out here that have been around for years and know what's going on."

A local economist says its companies like Eastman Chemical and LeTouneau technologies in longview that will be hit the hardest.

LeTourneau's Human Resource Manager, Dan Flournoy said, "Its scary to think we have to fill all these jobs once they do start retiring and leaving the company."

While baby boomers make up one-third of the nations workforce, LeTourneau officials say about 47 - percent of their company is made up of baby boomers.

Dan Pinson has worked at LeTourneau for 44 years and although he's not worried about the younger generation taking over, he says they have a much different work ethic.

Pinson said, "They try to find easier ways to do things whereas when I came along, I just did it whatever way I could do it i didn't think about the easiest way."

This is why officials say young people need to be better informed about these types of jobs.

Because of baby boomers young people like Billy Townsend will continue to strive to do his very best.

He said, "If we continue to work hard we can fill those shoes and get the job done like they have in the past."