Another family and another glass ceiling shattered, Mason is the first woman who was not a McCollough family member.

The transition from the McColloughs to Masons was made with an intentionally soft announcement.

“We entered into an agreement five years ago and I bought and acquired 49% of the company then,” Mason said. “We had a five-year plan that, if all was going well, I would have the opportunity to acquire the remaining 51%.”

Lori Mason is married to Brandon Mason, who is the son of Mike and Chris Mason. The Mason family has lived in Hamilton County all their lives. This new generation also lives in rural Webster City.

-Messenger file photo
Two Seneca Foundry employees work with molten metal at the Webster City business.

“It’s still a hometown family business,” said Mason, who has five children and one grandchild.

She admits that when she started working at Seneca 20 years ago as an accounting coordinator, “I didn’t even know what a casting was.”

But she has learned.

Mason said she has brought in new customers, and doubled the revenue.

There are plans for an expansion ahead.

“It’s been a good five years,” she said. “A lot of money has gone back into the company, purchasing new equipment, adding automation to make the environment better for its employees.”

Changes were inevitable, and her role has become more dynamic. She is traveling more.

“We are building relationships with customers, really trying to diversify the industries we are serving,” she explained.

“We are looking to expand our footprint; we will be expanding our building where we are located,” she said. “With that comes additional employees and new technologies.”

She added, “We are committed for the long term for our community and our employees.

“I’ve been there 20 years; it’s still a fresh beginning. There are so many possibilities and we are continuing to evolve.”

When asked why she started making this shift in her career, Mason explained a bit about the McCollough success story.

Former presidents Kirk McCollough and his father, Robert McCollough, had very personal connections with the employees and the day-to-day process.

Like his father, Kirk made a point to walk through the plant talking to employees, asking about their families, demonstrating their concern for the people they employed. They are more than employees, they are treated like family, she said.

“Kirk could have sold to anyone,” she said. “He wanted someone to continue what they started. Keeping it local is important to both of us. We both want to continue to support the employees and their families in addition to this community.”

Mason isn’t sitting back and waiting for others to do work in the community either. Over the years, Mason has been active with the Hamilton County 4-H program, volunteered as the 4H club leader of the Freedom Flickers and served on the Hamilton County 4-H Foundation.

The business, Seneca Foundry, continues to be a member of the Webster City Area Chamber of Commerce and is becoming involved with the economic development efforts in Hamilton County.

“I am getting involved with the Hamilton County Growth Partnership — HCGP — executive committee and Ames Alliance,” she said.