134 CHAPTER 11 As 2011 dawned, the Company’s financial condition improved, giving Buckner the flexibility to reinvigorate the longstanding customer service philosophy. As Western States aggressively re- entered the marketplace, guided by a strategy focused on investment and growth, Buckner’s approach reduced communications silos that had impeded service and innovation, and restored the customer-focused approach begun by Eugene Roberts so many years earlier. top right: Don Meineke, Director of Engineering bottom right: Scott Kunkel, Director of Operations