We have found the quality of new and relay track material supplied by A&K to consistently meet or exceed the requirements established for our customers.
- Randolph Reichard, Chief Inspector Analyst
Appalachian Railway Services
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
June Newsletter | A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
NOLA Office Renewed
| On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina bared down on New Orleans. For hours the rain never ceased and the water kept rising. Eventually, as the Hurricane winds and rain subsided we thought it was coming to an end. We thought we were somehow spared its wrath. New Orleans was once again able to dodge the bullet. Unfortunately, to our surprise and horror the worst was yet to come.
Our levees, our walls of protection so we thought, began to crumble before our very eyes. The pressure was too much for them. Imagine being beaten over and over without mercy for years and then one day you were too tired to fight back or to hold on. Our levees gave way. We all watched the news in different states, thinking of our homes and all the families torn apart hoping to come home the next day. But the next day |
turned into weeks as we looked on in disbelief as the water continuously poured in over homes, offices, schools, stores and parishes as if washing away our lives and there was nothing we could do but watch and wait.
Yet, Hurricane Katrina did not break us; it made us stronger and more resilient.We turned to our homes and jobs with such a renewed sense of passion.Though we have lost physical possessions our memories live on. We returned to our New Orleans East office five years later and looking better than ever. As you look at the before photo it is heart rendering but with everything comes a renewal as in the after photos. We have all overcome much despair and loss during that time but what a bright future ahead. - Donna Derks, Katrina Gougis, Paul Theriot |
| It is hard to believe that it has been almost five years since Hurricane Katrina. Since then our New Orleans sales team have marched on conducting business as usual first from the Birmingham sales office; then from Donna’s home where for 18 months she graciously gave up her living room for office space; on to the Metairie office building for two and a half years; and finally they have come full circle back to the original office location.
The building had to be completely gutted because of the mold everywhere. Once the decision was made to move back to the building everything |
moved quickly. Designs began in June by Forrar Williams Architects located in Sacramento California. The building permit was received the first part of August. Bryan and Thrash Contractors from New Orleans did the construction. Managed by Salt Lake Real Estate’s Brad Ross and Justin Harryman, construction was completed in just 45 days. Sales moved in October 1st. The office looks beautiful. May it be enjoyed for many years to come! |
Featured Employee
Michael Van Wagenen,
Corporate Headquarters
Michael Van Wagenen is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for A&K. In addition, he also serves as the Vice President to ten affiliated railroads, which over the years has controlled more than 1,000 miles of track. Prior to joining A&K 21 years ago, Michael was an executive at Savage Industries, a county prosecutor and a Special Assistant Utah Attorney General. He and his wife, Christine, are the parents of six children and ten grandchildren. They reside in Sandy, Utah, where his interests include: hiking, music and family activities. He grew up in Sugarhouse, Utah but has lived for a number of years in Alabama, California and England. He teaches the Old Testament in his adult Sunday School class.
His education includes a Master of Public Administration Degree from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from Cumberland School of Law. His community service includes membership in the Salt Lake Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts of America. He has served as a local Scout leader as well as an executive on two BSA councils. His claim to fame occurred many years ago when he performed with the “Sounds of Freedom” on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York and later gave a private performance for Ronald Reagan. He enjoys his association with the many great men and women at A&K.
Employee News |
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| Jana Lynn Burnside, daughter of Denise and Jack Burnside, graduated June 2, 2010 from Valley High School in South Jordan Utah. She plans on continuing her education in nursing. Congratulations! |
Summer Bar-B-Que Time!
Throughout the summer we have scheduled afternoon BBQ’s at Corporate Headquarters. This is such a great way to enjoy the nice weather and each other’s company. Each department in the building is taking turns hosting a BBQ, bringing and cooking the food for everyone else. The Sales department kicked it off in style with hamburgers and all the trimmings. Everyone participated and had a nice time. We’re looking forward to the next BBQ’s as the Yard, Administration, Real Estate, Operations, Legal & Railroad employees all take a turn hosting.
The Mousetrap
| A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
“What food might this contain?” The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed this warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.” The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray … be assured you are in my prayers.” The mouse turned to the cow and said, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!” The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.” So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap … Alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house – the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. |
In the darkness, she did not see it. It was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer’s wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient. But his wife’s sickness continued. Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. But, alas, the farmer’s wife did not get well … she died. So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon. And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn’t concern you … Remember – When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another. Each one of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry and our lives are woven together for a reason. |
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