Every day is a different day for Security Shift Supervisor Kenny Perkins, but that’s what he loves about the job.
He has worked in our security team for the last 19 years and as a supervisor for 8.
The team is responsible for keeping our sites secure by ensuring we follow the Maritime Security Act and working with organisations like Police, Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
But Kenny says that anything can happen, and you just have to be ready.
“You can have a plan, but things don’t always go the way you think they will,” says Kenny.
What makes Kenny a great part of the security team is his love of people.
“I just like talking to people – I’ve met some great people in my time here at LPC.
“You could be inside or outside, there’s a bit of flexibility, and I like that. I don’t want to be stuck behind the desk all day.”
Kenny takes his passion for people outside of the Port, coaching high school basketball.
Originally from Beaumont, Texas, he has played basketball professionally in Dublin, Chile and Argentina.
He eventually fell in love with New Zealand and played for the Canterbury Rams and the Nelson Giants.
Today, Kenny leads a team of almost 20 people, with many of them having been with LPC for a long time.
“You try to take a little bit of knowledge from everybody … you take from the people that have been here the longest, then you have to pass that knowledge on to the newcomers, and I try to help them as much as I can.
“My grandmother said to me when I was little, you’re never too old to learn.
“I feel like, since I’ve been working here, I learned something every week or maybe every day.”
Kenny also takes pride in helping out the community.
“We have to build that rapport with the community. We try to keep them safe, and they help us out when they can too.”
It’s this above-and-beyond attitude that made Kenny a winner of our monthly values competition this year.
He was nominated by a workmate for always being willing to help out, showing our values of integrity, communication and whanaungatanga.