Wednesday W.L. May Profile: Wes Luke

Reprinted from: What's Cooking at W.L. May Co? Volume 1 Issue 9
Wes Luke is no stranger to the Appliance Parts industry. The Luke family built a long respected history, dating back to the 1970's, in the Salem-Keizer area, as owner /operator of Appliance Refrigeration Center; once the largest Whirlpool Dealership in Salem. While at ARC, Wes learned all aspects of the "business side", as well as becoming lead technician servicing light commercial appliances for over a 13 year period.

In 1985, he "loaded up the truck" and moved 45 miles north, to Portland where he became Branch Manager of W.L. May Co.'s Beaverton location. After a few years of success, never shy of hard work and new challenges, Wes accepted the position of Counter Manager at W.L. May Co.'s flagship location in downtown Portland. He utilized his vast experience and knowledge to educate employees how to use "quick-books" and other tools; providing research information to local dealers during a "pre-computer"     information age.

Wes is proud of his strong family values; he and his wife Rita recently celebrated their 38TH wedding anniversary. They have 2 children: Stephanie and Shawn. Stephanie works for the City of Salem in the judicial system. Just last year she gave birth to Wes and Rita's first grandchild; Nicholas. Wes' son Shawn, proves that sometimes the "fruit doesn't fall far from the tree". He is also employed at W.L. May Co as the Warranty/Returns Department Manager.

Whether Wes is on a body of water boating or swimming, or toiling around a golf course (sometimes in the water, as well!!), he thrives living in the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest. With an eye to the future, he has recently become passionate about "Going Green", and has invested his time self-educating and understanding better ways to "power his world". At present he is focused on utilizing solar panel kits for back-up power rather than gas-powered generators. That's just like Wes; always looking to the future. One of his biggest life enjoyments is making possibly the best beef jerky ANYWHERE.

If you're ever in the Portland area, stop by and meet Wes, he just may share with you some of his homemade beef jerky.