We Are Family: More Than Just a Core Value
- May 27, 2025
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- by Columbia Forest Products
Gary (20 years at CFP) & Abby Carte (3 years at CFP)
Gary Carte joined Columbia Forest Products in 2005 after four years of searching for a stable company he could truly call home. As a former lineman, he had spent years on the road, often staying in dusty hotel rooms, far from his wife, Priscilla, and their young daughter, Abby, who was born in 2001. The travel — and the time away from family — eventually became too much.
Finding Columbia was, in Gary’s words, a blessing. Not only did it offer better pay than other manufacturing jobs in the area, but it also fostered a supportive, family-like environment that was rare in the industry.
“I was excited right away when I saw how easy everyone was to talk to,” Gary said. “You can end up spending more time with the guys you work with than your own family, so it means a lot to actually like them.”
Over the years, Columbia has continued to show its commitment to its people. Gary points to the company’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and to the Columbia Foundation’s scholarship program — both of which have directly benefited his family. Two of his three daughters received scholarships through the Foundation.
“I knew Columbia was a great company even before they helped me with the scholarship,” said Abby. “Every year my dad has worked there, our Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas hams came from Columbia.”
Abby returned home from college during the COVID-19 pandemic and began studying online full-time. When Gary casually mentioned an opening for an Accounting Assistant at Columbia’s Craigsville facility, he didn’t expect her to apply — it wasn’t in her field of marketing. But Abby saw something more.
“Even though accounting and math aren’t my strengths, I knew Columbia was a good company. I’d seen how well they treated my dad, so I decided to take a chance,” she said.
Abby joined the Craigsville team in November 2021, hired by Justin Skidmore in the accounting department. Balancing full-time work and full-time studies wasn’t easy, but it gave Abby a sense of pride and purpose. In December 2022, she earned her degree in Integrated Marketing & Communications. Just weeks later, a Digital Marketing Specialist position opened at Columbia’s Greensboro office.
“It’s corny, but it felt like fate,” Abby said. “As much as I love Columbia, marketing is my passion. I really thought I’d have to leave to work in that field—I’m so glad I was wrong.”
Since joining the Greensboro team, Abby has collaborated with colleagues across multiple mills and was even the first recipient of Columbia’s down payment assistance benefit when purchasing her new home.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see that the atmosphere across locations is just like it was in Craigsville,” she said. “People genuinely care about one another. They’re open and honest in a way you don’t find just anywhere.”
Gary couldn’t be prouder. “I’ve had a lot of proud moments,” he said, “but the day Abby got the job in Greensboro was something else. Seeing her take that leap and succeed really meant a lot.”
“Just a few weeks ago, I listened to a fellow employee talk about their lifelong career at Columbia and the pride they felt working at a company rooted in significant service,” Abby comments.
“That’s when it really hit me—how proud I am of my dad, and how thankful I am for everything he’s done for our family. He made the right move coming here.”
Chandra Buchanan (4 years at CFP), Cindy Stewart & Jaime Dietz (3.5 years at CFP)
Cindy Stewart is a proud member of the team at Columbia Forest Products’ Old Fort mill — and the proud mother of two accomplished Columbia employees: Jamie Dietz, who works alongside her at the mill, and Chandra Buchanan, who serves as an Inside Sales Representative.
Cindy’s connection to Columbia runs deep. She originally joined the company in the 1990s as a spreader operator before leaving to pursue truck driving and other career paths.
Despite the change, she always looked back fondly on her time at Columbia. That lasting impression inspired her daughter Chandra, who had grown up hearing about the company’s supportive culture and meaningful work.
So, when a sales representative position became available, Chandra didn’t hesitate to apply.
“I loved working for Columbia so much, I promoted every open position I saw to my family,” Chandra said.
“Over the course of four years, I was able to help four family members join CFP.” Including bringing back her mother, Cindy.
Other family members include her sister Jamie and her children, Jada and Austin Collins. While Jada has since moved on to other opportunities, the remaining four are thriving in their roles at Columbia — each carrying on the family legacy of hard work and pride in their craft.
“My mother raised us girls to work hard and to always take pride in the work we do,” Chandra said. “With any job, there are challenges, but in my four years at Columbia, the benefits have far outweighed them.”
What began as one woman’s positive experience decades ago has now become a multi-generational story of shared values, dedication and success, rooted in the culture and opportunities Columbia Forest Products continues to provide.
Charity Willis-Webb & Family
Inside Sales Representative Lead, Charity Willis-Webb, was first introduced to Columbia Forest Products through her father, who worked at the Old Fort mill when she was a young girl. From him, she learned early on about the company’s values and the many benefits it offered to its employee-owners. Inspired by that legacy, Charity joined Columbia at just 18 years old.
“It just seemed like the logical step for me after growing up and hearing about it for years,” she shared. “I knew what the company was about and what they offered.”
For many years, Charity worked side by side with her mother on the track bander before her mother’s retirement — a time she remembers fondly.
“Working with my mom was a great experience. I got to see her every day when I might not have otherwise. She was always my biggest fan and constantly encouraged me to work hard and do my best. I’ll always be grateful for that,” said Charity.
Over the years, Columbia became more than just a workplace for Charity — it became a family tradition. Her husband, stepson and sister have all joined the company. After spending 15 years in a different industry, her husband was drawn to Columbia after hearing about the company’s culture and values from Charity. Her sister, who recently retired from a career in education, is now thriving in her new role.
“It warms my heart to see my sister so happy here,” said Charity. “She’s only been at Columbia a short time, but she’s truly thriving.”
Despite her deep family ties to Columbia, Charity emphasizes a sense of family that extends well beyond her relatives.
“The people here are my family. I started working at 18 and grew up with so many of the people here. There’s no doubt in my mind — we’re family.”