4 years roberto hernandez-field ops 9 evergreens …...jose ortiz was the grill master...
TRANSCRIPT
Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
December 2015
Birthdays and Anniversaries for December Birthdays Anniversaries
Copyright 2015 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Eloy Eligio Cruz-Kansas City, KS Jorge Borjas-Kansas City, KS Roberto Hernandez-Field Ops
2 Felix Maza Martinez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
3 4 5 Robert Reigle-Kansas City, KS 4 years
6 Bill Beck-Kansas City, KS John Hager-Field Ops 20 years
7 Marie Ericksen-Hamden, CT Mario Robles-Kansas City, KS Pablo Vividor-Kansas City, KS Bruce Skousen-Corporate HQ Russ Weimer-Toledo, OH
8 Demisa Ballero-Phoenix, AZ Beth Wyatt-Kansas City, KS Juan Rosales Castillo-Kansas City, KS 1 year
9 Juan Garza-Kansas City, KS Manuel Garcia Lopez-Kansas City, KS Marcos Dominguez-Toledo, OH Harry Hoberek-Field Ops 30 years Adrian Magana Calderon-Kansas City, KS 4 years
10 11 12
13 14 Chris Dick Field Ops 3 years
15 Sandy Groff-Kansas City, KS Eufemio Andrade-Kansas City, KS Luis Perez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
16 17 Lazaro Gonzalez-Field Ops
18 John Gari-Phoenix, AZ Sheri Stott-Clearfield, UT 9 years
19 Jose Saucedo-Carrillo-Kansas City, KS Luis Perez-Kansas City, KS Jose Palomino-Hernandez-Hamden, CT 14 years Mike Diaz-Hamden, CT 4 years
20 Reomie Riley-Kansas City, KS Mitch Murray-Salt Lake City, UT
21 Christina Okey-Phoenix, AZ 4 years
22 23 24 25 26 Jeff Kron-Field Ops 8 years
27 David Hagadorn-Phoenix, AZ Ethan Vickers-Kansas City, KS Orlando Rodriguez-Kansas City, KS Joe Shinsky-Toledo, OH Larry Bird-Gary, IN 22 years
28 Jim Okroy-Corporate HQ
29 Kevin Jankowski-Field Ops
30 Dustin Caddarette-Toledo, OH Fran Matay-McMurray, PA Claudio Haro-Kansas City, KS 23 years
31
Evergreens Benefit
Lisa Earl, Janet Walker, Shantell Higbee, Cindy Merrell, Rhonda Nicoloff, Denise Burnside, Kristy Zukeran
This event has become a labor of love for many of our people in Salt Lake as well as their friends and families. A&K was able to donate two trees for the event this year and Cindy Merrell and Shantell Higbee led the teams to purchase all the supplies, decorate the trees, transport and set them up in the convention center and wire on all the decorations. Cindy was assisted by her husband Bob and daughter Melissa Burnett as well as Denise Burnside and Kristy Zukeran. Over the years “Cindy’s trees” have brought in $34,750 for the shelter. Honorable mention also goes out to Charlie Hubbard (Balfour Beatty, formerly with A&K) who donated the 13 foot flocked tree to Cindy’s group. From A&K Janet Walker and Lisa and Bill Earl were part of “Team Shantell” along with her friend Stephanie Worwood. Special mention this year also needs to go out to Lisa Earl and her sister Laura Winnett who have made doll beds that were donated to the craft boutique for the past few years.
I am so proud of everyone here that has participated in some way, whether by donating, supporting, and attending the annual event. This year A&K was awarded recognition as the longest term event supporter.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
Luke 12:48 — submitted by Rhonda Nicoloff
For the past 10+ years A&K’s Salt Lake office has been attending and participating in the Safe Harbor Evergreens Benefit which is a fundraiser for the Safe Harbor Crisis Center which serves women and children of domestic abuse. The main event of the Benefit consists of businesses and individuals from across the Wasatch front that donate fully decorated Christmas trees that are sold during a live auction. There is also a craft boutique and silent auction that get the event underway each year. Many months of planning go into all the items donated, but especially the Christmas trees which are a huge undertaking.
A wonderful story is told about a father who gave his young daughter
a simple locket and told her that it contained a very valuable diamond
sealed inside the locket, so if at any time she was ever in need, she
could crack open the locket, sell the diamond, and make it
through difficulties.
The daughter grew into a woman and struggled alone
through terrible times of poverty, but just the mere
thought of the diamond resting safely inside the locket
she wore around her neck gave her enough courage to
pull her through. Many years later, she had finally become a
success in all areas of her life and no longer had to struggle for
survival. Her curiosity had grown to the point that she had to know
how much the diamond was actually worth.
The woman took her precious locket to the finest jeweler in the village to have
the diamond appraised. The jeweler eyed the plain, tarnished locket with a bit of
disdain, raised the mallet, and with one swift blow, smashed the little locket into
many pieces, releasing a small, shiny piece. The jeweler held it up to the light and
said, “Why this is not a diamond, my lady, but a worthless piece of ordinary glass!”
Stunned by the news, the woman laughed and cried and then laughed some more.
“No, kind sir, that is the most valuable diamond in the world!” she replied, wiping
the tears from her eyes.
Her father had given her a priceless gem … the gift of hope and the belief that she
would always be all right, and for this she would always be grateful.
The Gift of Hope
Cheryl Norton [email protected]
PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130801-977-6328
To Contact the Editor:Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President
801-244-5083
Top Performers for October 2015
Beth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas Jeff Long Salt Lake City, UtahJim Huenefeldt Kansas City, Kansas
Top Sales Year-to-Date
Beth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas
Wellness SPOTLIGHT
Jeff Long Jim Huenefeldt Beth Wyatt
QUOTE OF THE MONTH Growth is painful. Change is painful.
But nothing is as painful as staying
stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
–Mandy Hale
HEALTHY QUICK TIP: Holiday Nog — Four bananas, 1-1/2 cups skim milk or soymilk, 1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract, and ground nutmeg. Blend all ingredients except nutmeg. Puree until smooth. Top with nutmeg. FAST FOOD MENU OPTIONS: Taco Bell Fresco Steak Burrito Supreme plus black beans; 430 calories, 10.5g fat (3g saturated)
We are looking forward to receiving your feedback and ideas for upcoming issues. Please submit to Katrina Gougis. Be happy and healthy, - A&K Wellness Committee
Follow Bob Reigle around for a day and you’ll learn two things – 1: you’ve walked a lot of steps and 2: you’ve just learned a lot. As Quality Assurance Manager, Bob puts his mark on countless switch points, frogs, switch panels and track panels, assuring they meet specifications before shipment to our customers. Through the use of 35-point checklists and various measuring instruments, each piece is carefully scrutinized. Bob feels one of his most important tools is a weekly report of items that fail to meet quality standards, which he uses to see trends and as a training tool to many employees.
Bob’s railroad industry experience began in the mid-1980’s when he started at the ground level pulling spikes for a railroad contractor in Omaha, NE. Later, he joined a contractor headquartered in Texas and worked his way up to superintendent, responsible for two construction crews. Fortunately, in 2011, Bob walked through the doors of A&K, and he has been keeping a close eye on our quality ever since.
Bryan Smith, Field Operations, recently attended a Raffles Risk Workshop. The safety meetings were held in Philadelphia where Bryan happened to meet none other than Benjamin Franklin! I’d say Ben’s looking rather well for his age!
The Groff Halloween Family Photo: Sandy – Queen of Hearts, Jeremy – King of Hearts, Kyle – Jester, Clarissa – Alice, Blake – White Rabbit, Weston – Mad Hatter
The Annual Johnson County Old Settlers Parade, the largest parade in the state of Kansas, was held in September. It has an average of 160 entries, including 16 area High School and Middle School bands, numerous club and organization entries and several commercial floats. The parade is attended by between 65,000 and 75,000 people. The parade theme this year was: “Out of this World!” This year’s Cub Scout float was designed by Sandy Groff. Pack 3387 boys, including her son Weston, helped build Khetanna, better known as Jabba’s sail barge (Star Wars). The ship included Jabba Desilijic Tiure, better known as Jabba the Hutt. The pack won first place in the Youth Float competition. Congratulations boys!
Thanksgiving was 2 weeks early in Kansas City. The Trackwork group (pictured), along with a lot of help from some of the yard employees, hosted a Mexican/Thanksgiving theme lunch with LOTS of food! On the menu:
• Steak, Shrimp & Chicken Fajitas• Chips & Guacamole, Pico de Gallo (both from scratch), Salsa (3 different types), Sour Cream • Veggies with sausage• Potatoes, Zucchini, Rice• Cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon• Dessert: Cheesecake, Apple Pie and French Silk Pie
Jose Ortiz was the grill master extraordinaire…rumor has it that Bobby Flay’s got nothing on Jose’s grilling technique!
Following Bob Reigle Employee News
Snapshots!
Front: Karl Renner, Jordan Smith, Pengyun Shen, Michelle Giddens Back: Jim Sharp, Angelica Rodriguez, Greg Cornett,
Jose Ortiz, Nicole AtwoodJose Ortiz
Get Back into your Healthy Routine and Forgive.The simple most important thing you can do to lead a healthy life is to learn to forgive a mistake.
A 3-Step Plan To Get Back Into Your Healthy Routine
1. Acknowledge your behavior. Simply observe what you are doing: “I’m standing alone in my kitchen eating ice cream directly from the carton even though I swore it off just hours ago.”
2. Accept your actions. Instead of beating yourself up, be compassionate with yourself: “Of course I’m eating ice cream. It’s delicious! I’ve had a long day and I am craving a sweet reward.”
3. Ask yourself one simple question. “What do I really need right now?” Listen to what you really need in that moment.
This exercise isn’t necessarily going to change your behavior in the moment, but it will help you stop feeling shameful about it. It’s an exercise in being self-aware. You are your own best teacher. The more you practice the threes A’s, the more you’ll start running through them automatically. Even if you run through the three A’s and decide to stick with the ice cream, it’s okay. You have not failed.
If you create rigid rules for yourself about exercise and eating, you’ll not only set yourself up for failure, you’ll also start to associate healthy living with negative feelings — and that’s a guaranteed way to fall off the healthy wagon for good. But if you’re realistic and compassionate toward yourself, you’ll be able to miss that workout and eat those cookies, and then get right back to your healthy life. Skipping a one-hour workout doesn’t mean you can’t find movement in short bursts throughout the day. Likewise, a day of indulging doesn’t mean you can’t pack your plate with greens the next day. The holidays are no different. It’s okay to modify your usual regimen to allow for a little indulging.
By: Sadie Lincoln, Barre 3 Fitness
Top Performers for October 2015
Beth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas Jeff Long Salt Lake City, UtahJim Huenefeldt Kansas City, Kansas
Top Sales Year-to-Date
Beth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas
Wellness SPOTLIGHT
Jeff Long Jim Huenefeldt Beth Wyatt
QUOTE OF THE MONTH Growth is painful. Change is painful.
But nothing is as painful as staying
stuck somewhere you don’t belong.
–Mandy Hale
HEALTHY QUICK TIP: Holiday Nog — Four bananas, 1-1/2 cups skim milk or soymilk, 1-1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract, and ground nutmeg. Blend all ingredients except nutmeg. Puree until smooth. Top with nutmeg. FAST FOOD MENU OPTIONS: Taco Bell Fresco Steak Burrito Supreme plus black beans; 430 calories, 10.5g fat (3g saturated)
We are looking forward to receiving your feedback and ideas for upcoming issues. Please submit to Katrina Gougis. Be happy and healthy, - A&K Wellness Committee
Follow Bob Reigle around for a day and you’ll learn two things – 1: you’ve walked a lot of steps and 2: you’ve just learned a lot. As Quality Assurance Manager, Bob puts his mark on countless switch points, frogs, switch panels and track panels, assuring they meet specifications before shipment to our customers. Through the use of 35-point checklists and various measuring instruments, each piece is carefully scrutinized. Bob feels one of his most important tools is a weekly report of items that fail to meet quality standards, which he uses to see trends and as a training tool to many employees.
Bob’s railroad industry experience began in the mid-1980’s when he started at the ground level pulling spikes for a railroad contractor in Omaha, NE. Later, he joined a contractor headquartered in Texas and worked his way up to superintendent, responsible for two construction crews. Fortunately, in 2011, Bob walked through the doors of A&K, and he has been keeping a close eye on our quality ever since.
Bryan Smith, Field Operations, recently attended a Raffles Risk Workshop. The safety meetings were held in Philadelphia where Bryan happened to meet none other than Benjamin Franklin! I’d say Ben’s looking rather well for his age!
The Groff Halloween Family Photo: Sandy – Queen of Hearts, Jeremy – King of Hearts, Kyle – Jester, Clarissa – Alice, Blake – White Rabbit, Weston – Mad Hatter
The Annual Johnson County Old Settlers Parade, the largest parade in the state of Kansas, was held in September. It has an average of 160 entries, including 16 area High School and Middle School bands, numerous club and organization entries and several commercial floats. The parade is attended by between 65,000 and 75,000 people. The parade theme this year was: “Out of this World!” This year’s Cub Scout float was designed by Sandy Groff. Pack 3387 boys, including her son Weston, helped build Khetanna, better known as Jabba’s sail barge (Star Wars). The ship included Jabba Desilijic Tiure, better known as Jabba the Hutt. The pack won first place in the Youth Float competition. Congratulations boys!
Thanksgiving was 2 weeks early in Kansas City. The Trackwork group (pictured), along with a lot of help from some of the yard employees, hosted a Mexican/Thanksgiving theme lunch with LOTS of food! On the menu:
• Steak, Shrimp & Chicken Fajitas• Chips & Guacamole, Pico de Gallo (both from scratch), Salsa (3 different types), Sour Cream • Veggies with sausage• Potatoes, Zucchini, Rice• Cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon• Dessert: Cheesecake, Apple Pie and French Silk Pie
Jose Ortiz was the grill master extraordinaire…rumor has it that Bobby Flay’s got nothing on Jose’s grilling technique!
Following Bob Reigle Employee News
Snapshots!
Front: Karl Renner, Jordan Smith, Pengyun Shen, Michelle Giddens Back: Jim Sharp, Angelica Rodriguez, Greg Cornett,
Jose Ortiz, Nicole AtwoodJose Ortiz
Get Back into your Healthy Routine and Forgive.The simple most important thing you can do to lead a healthy life is to learn to forgive a mistake.
A 3-Step Plan To Get Back Into Your Healthy Routine
1. Acknowledge your behavior. Simply observe what you are doing: “I’m standing alone in my kitchen eating ice cream directly from the carton even though I swore it off just hours ago.”
2. Accept your actions. Instead of beating yourself up, be compassionate with yourself: “Of course I’m eating ice cream. It’s delicious! I’ve had a long day and I am craving a sweet reward.”
3. Ask yourself one simple question. “What do I really need right now?” Listen to what you really need in that moment.
This exercise isn’t necessarily going to change your behavior in the moment, but it will help you stop feeling shameful about it. It’s an exercise in being self-aware. You are your own best teacher. The more you practice the threes A’s, the more you’ll start running through them automatically. Even if you run through the three A’s and decide to stick with the ice cream, it’s okay. You have not failed.
If you create rigid rules for yourself about exercise and eating, you’ll not only set yourself up for failure, you’ll also start to associate healthy living with negative feelings — and that’s a guaranteed way to fall off the healthy wagon for good. But if you’re realistic and compassionate toward yourself, you’ll be able to miss that workout and eat those cookies, and then get right back to your healthy life. Skipping a one-hour workout doesn’t mean you can’t find movement in short bursts throughout the day. Likewise, a day of indulging doesn’t mean you can’t pack your plate with greens the next day. The holidays are no different. It’s okay to modify your usual regimen to allow for a little indulging.
By: Sadie Lincoln, Barre 3 Fitness
Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
December 2015
Birthdays and Anniversaries for December Birthdays Anniversaries
Copyright 2015 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Eloy Eligio Cruz-Kansas City, KS Jorge Borjas-Kansas City, KS Roberto Hernandez-Field Ops
2 Felix Maza Martinez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
3 4 5 Robert Reigle-Kansas City, KS 4 years
6 Bill Beck-Kansas City, KS John Hager-Field Ops 20 years
7 Marie Ericksen-Hamden, CT Mario Robles-Kansas City, KS Pablo Vividor-Kansas City, KS Bruce Skousen-Corporate HQ Russ Weimer-Toledo, OH
8 Demisa Ballero-Phoenix, AZ Beth Wyatt-Kansas City, KS Juan Rosales Castillo-Kansas City, KS 1 year
9 Juan Garza-Kansas City, KS Manuel Garcia Lopez-Kansas City, KS Marcos Dominguez-Toledo, OH Harry Hoberek-Field Ops 30 years Adrian Magana Calderon-Kansas City, KS 4 years
10 11 12
13 14 Chris Dick Field Ops 3 years
15 Sandy Groff-Kansas City, KS Eufemio Andrade-Kansas City, KS Luis Perez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
16 17 Lazaro Gonzalez-Field Ops
18 John Gari-Phoenix, AZ Sheri Stott-Clearfield, UT 9 years
19 Jose Saucedo-Carrillo-Kansas City, KS Luis Perez-Kansas City, KS Jose Palomino-Hernandez-Hamden, CT 14 years Mike Diaz-Hamden, CT 4 years
20 Reomie Riley-Kansas City, KS Mitch Murray-Salt Lake City, UT
21 Christina Okey-Phoenix, AZ 4 years
22 23 24 25 26 Jeff Kron-Field Ops 8 years
27 David Hagadorn-Phoenix, AZ Ethan Vickers-Kansas City, KS Orlando Rodriguez-Kansas City, KS Joe Shinsky-Toledo, OH Larry Bird-Gary, IN 22 years
28 Jim Okroy-Corporate HQ
29 Kevin Jankowski-Field Ops
30 Dustin Caddarette-Toledo, OH Fran Matay-McMurray, PA Claudio Haro-Kansas City, KS 23 years
31
Evergreens Benefit
Lisa Earl, Janet Walker, Shantell Higbee, Cindy Merrell, Rhonda Nicoloff, Denise Burnside, Kristy Zukeran
This event has become a labor of love for many of our people in Salt Lake as well as their friends and families. A&K was able to donate two trees for the event this year and Cindy Merrell and Shantell Higbee led the teams to purchase all the supplies, decorate the trees, transport and set them up in the convention center and wire on all the decorations. Cindy was assisted by her husband Bob and daughter Melissa Burnett as well as Denise Burnside and Kristy Zukeran. Over the years “Cindy’s trees” have brought in $34,750 for the shelter. Honorable mention also goes out to Charlie Hubbard (Balfour Beatty, formerly with A&K) who donated the 13 foot flocked tree to Cindy’s group. From A&K Janet Walker and Lisa and Bill Earl were part of “Team Shantell” along with her friend Stephanie Worwood. Special mention this year also needs to go out to Lisa Earl and her sister Laura Winnett who have made doll beds that were donated to the craft boutique for the past few years.
I am so proud of everyone here that has participated in some way, whether by donating, supporting, and attending the annual event. This year A&K was awarded recognition as the longest term event supporter.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
Luke 12:48 — submitted by Rhonda Nicoloff
For the past 10+ years A&K’s Salt Lake office has been attending and participating in the Safe Harbor Evergreens Benefit which is a fundraiser for the Safe Harbor Crisis Center which serves women and children of domestic abuse. The main event of the Benefit consists of businesses and individuals from across the Wasatch front that donate fully decorated Christmas trees that are sold during a live auction. There is also a craft boutique and silent auction that get the event underway each year. Many months of planning go into all the items donated, but especially the Christmas trees which are a huge undertaking.
A wonderful story is told about a father who gave his young daughter
a simple locket and told her that it contained a very valuable diamond
sealed inside the locket, so if at any time she was ever in need, she
could crack open the locket, sell the diamond, and make it
through difficulties.
The daughter grew into a woman and struggled alone
through terrible times of poverty, but just the mere
thought of the diamond resting safely inside the locket
she wore around her neck gave her enough courage to
pull her through. Many years later, she had finally become a
success in all areas of her life and no longer had to struggle for
survival. Her curiosity had grown to the point that she had to know
how much the diamond was actually worth.
The woman took her precious locket to the finest jeweler in the village to have
the diamond appraised. The jeweler eyed the plain, tarnished locket with a bit of
disdain, raised the mallet, and with one swift blow, smashed the little locket into
many pieces, releasing a small, shiny piece. The jeweler held it up to the light and
said, “Why this is not a diamond, my lady, but a worthless piece of ordinary glass!”
Stunned by the news, the woman laughed and cried and then laughed some more.
“No, kind sir, that is the most valuable diamond in the world!” she replied, wiping
the tears from her eyes.
Her father had given her a priceless gem … the gift of hope and the belief that she
would always be all right, and for this she would always be grateful.
The Gift of Hope
Cheryl Norton [email protected]
PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130801-977-6328
To Contact the Editor:Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President
801-244-5083