DSI Recognizes Employees/Celebrates 40 Years At Annual Christmas Party
On Friday December 4th, DSI employees, customers, and friends gathered to celebrate Christmas, recognize employee contributions in 2009, and to commemorate 40 years in business.
Here are the highlights from the evening’s festivities:
2009 Employee Awards
Overtime Champion
(L to R) HR Manager Clay Jordan, Operations Manager Rich Hunter, Branch Manager Jim Ingolia
The first award of the evening was the 2009 OT Champion presented by Human Resources Manager Clay Jordan. This year’s recipient was the Tampa Branch. In presenting the award Clay commented on how important this award is, and how diligent the Tampa Branch had been in keeping their OT well below the goal of 2% for the entire year, “It is a true testament to the determination and leadership of Jim Ingolia (Branch Manager), Rich Hunter (Operations Manager), and Gia Kelkboom (Payroll Coordinator) that they have been able to manage the difficult issue of OT all year long. It is only because they take it very seriously and put a tremendous amount of effort towards this goal each and every day.”
Jim Ingolia and Rich Hunter accepted the award on behalf of the Tampa Branch.
Safe Branch Award
(L to R) Gene Sanders- Corp. Director of Operations, Jim Delaney Regional Manager
Each year DSI recognizes the branch that has excelled in the area of safety. This year’s safe branch award was presented to the Charlotte, North Carolina branch. “Our safety program is one of the most important aspects of any branch operation, and we recognize this branch for putting in a great effort to ensure our people remain safe on the job”, Corporate Director of Operations Gene Sanders remarked upon presenting the award.
The award was received by Regional Manager Jim Delaney on behalf of the Charlotte Branch. The branch is managed by Branch Manager Arthur Horton and Operations Manager Carlas Elder.
Payroll Coordinator of the Year
(L to R) COO Eddie Sorrells, Dena Earnest Payroll Coordinator – Arkansas Branch
Several years ago DSI began recognizing one of its branch payroll coordinators with the Payroll Coordinator of the Year Award. This year’s deserving recipient is Dena Earnest of the Arkansas Branch. COO Eddie Sorrells summed up the importance of this position by commenting that “The payroll coordinator’s job is one of the most, if not the most, important job within a branch. Without a well organized and efficient employee in this position, the branch will never be able to fulfill its mission to our employees and customers. Dena is certainly deserving of this award since she is an excellent example of what this position is all about”.
The payroll coordinator of the year award is selected by the DSI Corporate Accounting Department.
AB Clark Service Superiority Award
Atlanta Branch Manager Tony Coates accepts the 2009 AB Clark Service Superirotiy Award
(L to R) COO Eddie Sorrells, President Alan Clark, Runnell Clark (Mrs. AB Clark), Tony Coates- AB Clark Award Winner
One of the highlights of each year’s award presentations is the announcement of the AB Clark Service Superiority Award. This award is given each year to an employee who embodies the traits of our founder A. B. Clark. This award is selected by the corporate management team and the recipient must display characteristics such as Superior leadership, Teamwork, Excellent Customer Service Skills, and possess strong qualities of honesty, integrity and dependability. They also must have a proven track record of success in their given area of responsibility, and reflect the true philosophy of DWYSYWD (Do What You Say You Will Do) in all areas of their professional life.
This year’s recipient of this honor was Tony Coates, Atlanta Branch Manager. Tony has been with DSI since 2007, and over the last 2 years he has earned a strong reputation for putting the needs of DSI first in all that he does in his professional life. “Tony always carries himself with an unselfish spirit and he is one of those employees that are not constantly concerned about getting the credit. He is more concerned about getting the job done”, remarked COO Eddie Sorrells upon presenting the award to Coates. Coates was surprised and very appreciative for the recognition. He thanked the entire Atlanta staff for all that they do, and he expressed his gratitude to DSI for allowing him to be part of such a great team.
Davis Hallford Branch of the Year Award
CFO Mike Hallford and Wife Camille present the 2009 Davis Hallford Branch of the Year Award to Jim Ingolia Branch Manager – Tampa, Florida
(L to R) Jim Ingolia Branch Manager – Tampa, Rich Hunter Operations Manager – Tampa, Dale Matthews Regional Manager-Tampa, Camille Hallford, Mike Hallford CFO
The highlight of the 2009 awards was the presentation of the Davis Hallford Branch of the Year Award to the Tampa Branch. This award is named in memory of Davis Hallford who served DSI as a branch manager in Dothan, Savannah, and Montgomery/Mobile. Davis’ parents, DSI CFO Mike Hallford and his wife Camille, were on hand to make the presentation to Jim Ingolia (Branch Manager), Rich Hunter (Operations Manager), and Dale Matthews (Regional Manager). Mike remarked “It is an honor for Camille and I to have this award named after Davis, because we know he meant so much to DSI, and DSI meant so much to him”.
In order to earn this award the Branch must excel in the following areas: Profitability, OT Management, Customer Service, Safety, and adherence to DSI Policies and Procedures. And as many commented during the presentation, the Tampa team is a true textbook case of what a DSI management team can do to make the branch a success.
Adding their own accolades to the Tampa team were Corp Operations Director Gene Sanders and Director of Marketing Keith Jennings. Sanders commented on how the Tampa staff had started with a goal and never wavered, “ I have seen Dale, Jim, Rich, Gia, and the whole Tampa team stay true to DSI fundamentals each and every day, and that commitment has shown in their overwhelming success over the last year”. Jennings added “I knew when I first met Jim he had the right vision to take this branch to the next level, and I have seen through his, and his team’s, efforts that vision turn into a reality.
