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The annual meeting in April welcomed a new member on the MonCre board of directors. Mitch Dempsey, who lives in LaPine, was named to represent the LaPine-Highland Home area.
Dempsey is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration, and maintains the long-range radar center on Woodley Road. The radar tracks all aircraft within a 200-mile range, directed by Atlanta air traffic controllers.
The facility was built in 1953, and as many as seven employees have worked there at one time, but with the advent of modern technology, fewer human hands were needed.
During the 1990’s, the administration designated the facility to be closed. Without funding, the unimproved facility would become obsolete. However, with the events of September 11, 2001, the decision was rescinded. Funds were provided for enhanced upgrades and maintenance.
Mitch Dempsey has overseen the complex system for eleven years. He recalls the only real problem he encountered early on was having to climb the tower that encases the giant radar. “I had a terrible fear of heights then”, he now laughs off. “Now I enjoy climbing. It is a beautiful view from up there.” He found love of climbing has led to his more serious claim as the only person in the Montgomery area certified to make tower rescues.
Dempsey has has hard jobs before. At 15, he picked and loaded watermelons from the field, and at 21 he found himself in the military, in Korea, where he worked in communications.
He is married to the former Teresa Brown of Highland Home. There, they oversee their 110 acres of Alabama flatlands with some 20-head of Black Angus cattle. It keeps them busy in their spare time, gaining the attention of buyers from Memphis and elsewhere in the southeast who have purchased Dempsey cattle.
Active in his community, Mitch Dempsey has served as President of the Crenshaw Cattlemen’s Association and helped in the organization of the first rodeo for Crenshaw area youths. He also aided in raising funds for educational scholarships for young people, and currently serves as a board member for the Crenshaw Parks and Recreation. Dempsey and his family actively attend the First Baptist Church in Luverne.
The Dempsey’s have two grown sons, both busy with families of their own. Mitchell, 28, has four sons, and William Jessie, 21, is dad to the only granddaughter, just under 2 years old. Watching the grandkids grow and being a part of their lives is very special to Mitch and Teresa, and it goes without saying that “Papa” is as special to the children as they are to him.
We are indeed fortunate to have Mitch Dempsey as one of our new MonCre board members.
Welcome Aboard.
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