Through our Meet Your Miners series, we’ve shared with you the stories of several men and women that make this industry the amazing force it has been, and continues to be, in Nevada for so many years. Some of them young, others old, some new to mining, others seasoned veterans. But one line tends to be drawn through all members of the mining community is Family.

Some miners come from mining families, whose legacy dates back generations. Others find new family within the industry. But the miners we will introduce you to now are a little bit of both. Meet Tim & Sharon Horn of RAM Enterprise.

Tim Horn, president of RAM Enterprise – an Elko-based supply company dedicated to servicing the  mining industry through safety and solutions – says his career in mining was inevitable.

“My father and grandfather worked in mining, so I grew up in that atmosphere,” said Tim. “It was kind of preordained.”

Sharon Horn, director of customer service for RAM Enterprise, is Tim’s wife. She explains that her career in mining was determined by family-to-be, rather than legacy.

“I met my future husband, who lived in Elko,” Sharon explained. “I started looking for work here.”

A company that formed in 1991 has grown to over 200 employees, and the Horns have been around since 1995 to enjoy, and participate in, its growth.

“We were tiny, then – we all pitched in to do whatever needed to be done,” said Sharon, who has since grown into her role of director of customer service, a seat she has held since 2009. Tim, who left RAM Enterprise from 2000 – 2002 to build a copper mine in Peru, acts as president and loves his role in creating an atmosphere of positivity.

“The flexibility to make decisions that become win-win for our company and customers, that’s why I come to work every day,” said Tim. “That and the close relationships that have developed over the years with our customers, our employees and our manufacturing partners.”

Outside of work, the Horns enjoy being outdoors, camping, and spending time with their kids and grandkids. The life that the mining industry has been able to afford them is something they value, and Tim recognizes that mining as an industry is something we should all appreciate.

“Unless you are completely off the grid and don’t own a cell phone, a car, a computer or an electrical appliance – you are served by mining.”

True, Tim. True.