Bud Dotson Retires After 35 Years at APAC-Mississippi/Tennessee

After a 35-year career at APAC-Mississippi/Tennessee, Bud Dotson is retiring.

Originally hired as an asphalt paving laborer in 1989, Bud went on to work as a roller operator and a service truck driver. He says the roller operator role was always his favorite.

No matter what he was working on, Bud was known for being in a perpetual good mood. An exceptionally dependable employee, he was always willing to help with anything and would do it with a smile on his face.

None of that was by accident. Each day when he left for work, Bud says he made a conscious decision to leave any personal problems at home.

“You’re there to work, and your mood can affect those around you. Bring a bad mood, and the work could suffer,” explains Bud, adding that he also made a point to leave any work problems at work when he went home at night.

“Bud has been an employee who has led by example for over 30 years,” says West – General Manager Terry May. “He was always willing to do anything that was asked of him, even if it wasn’t what he was used to doing. Bud has a great attitude and a smile a mile long. He will be missed, but we wish him well in his retirement.”

Bud lives in Bolton, Mississippi with Debra, his wife of 20 years. He has six children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

For the past 20 years, Bud has made an annual summer trip to Philadelphia for the Neshoba County Fair. APAC always knew that, during the last week of July, Bud would use a week of his vacation to attend the fair. His favorite event to watch is the harness horse racing.

For Bud, horse riding is more than a spectator sport. He spends a good deal of his spare time riding horses. He has three horses and a colt, and he’s looking forward to breaking in a brand-new saddle he received as a retirement gift from his brother-in-law.