Passions that Build

Personal Passions Make Us Unique — and Help Us Uniquely Succeed

While job titles indicate what we do at TAL, each one of us has unique talents, experiences, abilities, and interests that shape the ways we do our jobs. Across the organization, employees’ personal passions are sparking fresh ideas, strengthening teams, and ensuring our ongoing success. In this feature you’ll get to know three such team members: Travis Cannon, Bart Morfin, and Shane Reinhart.

TRAVIS CANNON: Responding with Compassion 

Travis’s official title may be CDL Driver at Badger Building Supply in Kalispell, but he fills several roles, including yard foreman, dispatcher, and safety coordinator. His ultimate goal is to leverage his multifaceted skills into a management role.

Moments that Matter

Years ago, Travis was with his mother when she had an accident and broke her back. In the early moments of chaos and confusion, members of the local fire department arrived at the scene.

“They were friendly and very caring about her needs,” he recalled. “That moment stuck with me. A passion awakened inside me to be there to help people on their worst day.”

Five years ago, Travis joined Bad Rock Volunteer Fire Department in Columbia Falls, and in June he was named department chief, a role that requires 20 to 30 hours of his time each week. Whether he’s making deliveries, dispatching drivers, or maintaining the yard at Badger, or he’s training with fellow firefighters and responding to emergency calls at the fire department, he is continually gaining experience and knowledge that benefits both callings.

“My career in the building industry makes firefighting safer,” he said. “I’m learning about the components of buildings, the time it takes for fire to burn away materials, and the products we can upsell to improve the wildfire urban interface (WUI) protection of a structure, which in turn increases sales for the company.”

Just as significantly, he gets to be the kind, compassionate person who shows up on someone’s worst day.

“Being that figure who brings a little hope in a stressful situation can’t be duplicated by anything else,” he said.

Every fire department needs volunteers in different roles, he noted, and it’s never too late to join.

“Guiding people—watching a person grow into a mentor and leader—is one of the most rewarding feelings you can have.”

Bart Morfin, Branch Manager

Serving Up Tacos & Teamwork As Branch Manager for Lake Chelan Building Supply in Chelan, Bart makes it a daily priority to provide a “number-one customer experience.”

Taking the Art to Heart

Long before joining the TAL team, he discovered an intense passion for cooking. More specifically, he discovered an intense passion for learning, preparing, and sharing his mother’s special recipes—and for developing a few of his own.

“Before I went to college, I had my mother teach me her style of cooking, which she did without any written recipes,” he said. “She said it was an art, and I took that to heart.”

These days, when food is needed at a family functions, friendly gathering, or community event, Bart is the first to put on an apron and reach for Bartolo’s Secret Concoction, the homemade carne asada blend he began developing in college. Not surprisingly, his skills at the grill have become legendary. Family, friends, and even strangers often ask to buy or barter for a supply of his special seasoning.

“The most rewarding part is knowing that people enjoy my cooking,” he said. “And I enjoy helping in the community when I can.”

Serving up tasty meals isn’t his only passion. While working at LCBS in Manson in the past, he was a volunteer firefighter and helped the local Kiwanis Club raise money for scholarships. Though the club has disbanded, he still supports Manson’s annual Apple Blossom Festival pancake breakfast to keep scholarships available for local students. Pursuing these interests is a great way to destress and recharge, he said, which in turn keeps him fresh, focused, and more productive at work.

“In my experience, finding something other than work to focus on—like cooking, hiking, fishing, or helping out in the community—helps your mental state remain calm and gives you a sense of satisfaction when you complete the task you’ve chosen.”

On the job and at the grill, Bart embodies the core value of guidance.  

“I’ve learned how to be a better leader and teacher to my staff, which gives me the confidence to always keep trying new things,” he said.

SHANE REINHART: Taking Time, Making Memories

Shane is the Market Manager for Tum-A-Lum Pendleton and Miller’s Home Center in La Grande, where he now lives. In a previous role as Branch Manager in Pendleton, he planned a special event for customers—and quickly developed a true passion for it, even devoting much of his personal time to ensure each guest had a positive, memorable experience. Now, though his role and responsibilities have increased, he still plans store events and enjoys the creative, collaborative opportunities they provide.

Making Magical Moments

“Moments of fun and connection strengthen morale and make our stores more welcoming and memorable,” he said. “They create a sense of purpose beyond the daily grind and help build a positive, engaging environment.”

For one such event—the popular Ladies’ Night—Shane’s entire team pitches in to run a scavenger hunt, hand out wine glasses, and raffle off prizes. Though these occasions are designed to engage and entertain the community, they’re just as rewarding for employees.

At the holidays, employees in Pendleton and La Grande embrace the spirit by dressing as elves or the Grinch and treating families, kids, and even pets to festive fun. Shane himself dons Santa’s red suit.

 “Customers express how much these traditions mean to them,” he said. “When I transitioned to my position in La Grande, some were genuinely saddened by the thought that Santa might no longer appear in Pendleton. It meant a lot to them—and to me—when they learned I’d be making a special weekend trip back to keep the tradition alive.”

Trying something new and different—like Ladies’ Night or dressing in character—requires energy, enthusiasm, and the willingness to take a risk. In other words, the effort requires ambition as well as passion. The effort pays many dividends, Shane said.

“When you lead with that kind of energy, it creates a great atmosphere, brings people together, and becomes a powerful way to give back to our community in meaningful, lasting ways,” Shane said.

Powered by Passions

The future at TAL is built on more than individual tasks and projects—it’s also fueled by the unique skills and talents each individual brings to the team. For some, that talent is showing up with compassion in times of crisis. For others, it’s generously meeting others’ needs and creating meaningful moments. All together, our personal passions help enrich our culture, fortify our communities, and grow a stronger company.