She began working for the company in 1950, when Harry Truman was President and she was a 17-year-old high school student. She has seen a lot of change over the years. "When I started working, we had manual typewriters. It was a big change when we started to use electric ones. And even more so when the computers came in," says Hafer. "And when I first started working, you had to wear a dress. But later we talked the boss into letting us wear pantsuits."
Hafer has also seen a lot of change at Fortna, too. The company has grown from a one-room operation selling forklifts to a multinational firm that helps the world's largest companies improve their distribution operations and supply chain performance.
"I never had a desire to leave Fortna. My bosses always treated me well and it's a very family-friendly company," says Hafer. "When I was ill, Peter Counihan visited me in the hospital two different times."
"Susie is my hero," says Peter Counihan, chairman of Fortna. "She stayed with me through the tough times, always encouraging me with her great smile and her kindness. She will be sorely missed."
