| 10
journey to the summit
Debbie Eskelson
OWNER | PARTNER STEEL CO.
B
orn and raised in Pocatello,
“in-house travel agent,” managing travel
Debbie Eskelson (far left) began
arrangements for other employees. Eskelson
attending
college
right
after
said she had originally only planned to take a
graduating
high
school,
but
one-year hiatus from school but that quickly
left without completing her degree a few
turned into seven, during which time she had
years later. “I left my studies because I had
a baby. After those seven years, Eskelson hit the pay ceiling and came to a point where
“I wanted to pursue a different path... but needed a bachelor’s degree to make it happen.”
she could no longer progress in her career without a college degree. “I wanted to pursue a different path in the company, but needed a bachelor’s degree to make it happen.” So,
advance in her career, becoming a business
she decided to return to ISU. With just 15
analyst, handling $100 million in annual sales.
a secure, well-paying and full-time job at
credits left, Eskelson graduated quickly with
After retiring, Eskelson and her husband
a company called AMI, now known as ON
her bachelor’s in marketing in 1997. With her
became the owners of Partner Steel Co. in
Semiconductor.” She worked for ON as their
new degree, she was able to earn more and
Pocatello.