A few weeks ago we met Randy Badman in DeWitt, Nebraska. Randy was born and raised in DeWitt, a town of approximately 550. This is where the vise grip wrench was patented in 1924 and manufactured for decades until the local plant was acquired by a large corporation that — surprise, surprise — moved manufacturing abroad.

Randy worked in the factory for over 30 years and was given a security escort out the building on the day he was laid off. His grandfather worked there. His father worked there. Randy believed he’d retire there. Now he’s been forced to find another job for a fraction of the pay that requires 180 miles of commuting every day. And he’s thankful to have found any employment at all after a year of unemployment.

We’ve put up a small piece of our conversation with Randy on the video page. He’s a tremendous individual who defies his last name in every possible way. I’m grateful that I got to meet him.