A Brief History about Ken

Investing in people and upholding the values and culture of Walker Manufacturing is the heart of Ken Weaver’s job at Walker. As Walker’s Vice President Human Resources, he believes in giving employees more than just a job; he believes in giving opportunities. Watching people turn opportunities into personal growth (and in some cases, turning their lives around) motivates Ken each day. As a new employee, Bob Walker once told Ken, “We have a moral obligation to our employees.” That resonates with Ken to this day. Ken says, “That moral obligation keeps you coming in day after day.” Ken strives to be an encouragement to Walker’s employees. “If I can speak life to someone, that’s what I want to do. That’s the opportunity. Speak life.” In addition to serving the people at Walker, Ken is excited to be part of something that impacts people on a larger scale. He says, “We get to be the beginning of the food chain. We make something here [lawn mowers] that goes out and makes a difference in the world. There’s something pretty special about creating something that wasn’t there and taking that into the global marketplace.”

Ken considers it a privilege to have known and been mentored by Max Walker, who hired him to create the HR department. As a new employee, Ken wanted to know Max’s heart and what he wanted. He remembers that Max just wanted to get to know people, even during job interviews. Ken recalls Max saying, “I like to sleep well at night.” That statement from Max summed up what Ken wanted to understand. Ken never passed up an opportunity to stop and talk with Max.

An avid student of history, Ken has had much political involvement over the years. While in high school, Ken once engaged President Carter’s Secretary of State in a public debate, was a dinner guest with President Reagan, and has provided tours of Walker for U.S. senators, representatives and other elected officials.

Ken’s faith is most important to him. Not growing up in a Christian home, he credits his paternal grandmother’s witness, prayers and unconditional love as leading him to faith in Jesus Christ. He has been involved in Christian activities for many years, ranging from college ministry to Colorado State University students to leading the youth group at his church, teaching Sunday School, and currently serving as a church elder.

In his free time, Ken enjoys spending time with family and hiking/climbing in Colorado’s highest mountains. He has summited over two dozen 14’ers, repeating some of those climbs multiple times. When he’s not spending time in the high country, Ken likes to work in his yard – especially mowing grass or plowing snow with his Walker Mower!