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
OCTOBER Newsletter | A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
October 2010
2010 Officer's Retreat
The 38th annual Officer's Retreat was held again this year at our chairman Kern Schumacher's beautiful Lake Tahoe home from September 12th – 15th. Several special guests joined the group including Ransom Webster who led a personal tour of his vintage Porsche Auto Collection; guest speaker Atam Lalchandani, former CFO of Oracle; and Olympic Champion Franz Weber who led everyone on a hike. Some of the other activities included Stand-Up Paddle Boarding and water relay, a scavenger hunt and a Catamaran ride. Because a very different format was planned this year than ever before officers were asked to comment on their retreat experience. Everyone in attendance had interesting experiences and took away lasting memories. Following is what was said:
"It was a rewarding experience to team up with fellow officers that I
seldom have involvement with. I left with great respect of my team
playersand all involved in the corporate challenges and goals.
(No bear attacks but left with a few bumps and many sore muscles).
Kern/Rhonda: thank you for the gracious hospitality and renewed
team building experience." – Beth Wyatt
"This year's retreat was a whirlwind, with so many interesting and challenging activities that we were all able to participate in together. It was also a privilege to meet and spend time with Ransom Webster, Atam Lalchandani and especially, Franz (Brown Bear) Weber. It is inspiring to meet such accomplished individuals." – Dan Britten
"I want to thank Rhonda for putting together such a great itinerary for this year's Officers Retreat. Every minute of each day was planned with educational, challenging, engaging, and enjoyable activities. We met interesting people such as Ransom Webster who showed us his vintage Porsche collection and Atam Lalchandani, former CFO of Oracle, who shared his many experiences with legendary executives. We learned how to paddle board on Lake Tahoe and struggled to climb Mount Rose with Franz Weber. We had several group challenges that sharpened our organizational as well as mental and physical skills. What I took away from the meeting beyond the obvious excitement of meeting new people and completing new challenges was the tremendous feeling of friendship with all in attendance. It's good sometimes to step away from the ordinary tasks we face each day to refresh ourselves and have some fun."
– Bob Radinsky
2010 Officer's Retreat continued
"On the hike I had the opportunity of discussing with Brad Ross the success he was having in his weight training program. He told me about his daily routine and his commitment. He had been on his routine for approximately one year. I asked Brad how long it took for him to make the training commitment part of his life. Was it 3 weeks? Was it 2 months? He said it was one day. "It was the first day that I decided to do it." He said that he is convinced that he can now do anything that he really wants to make a commitment to do. He is a great example of dedication as were all the other participants on the hike." – Michael Van Wagenen
"Highlight: Came home without any blisters from the hike and glad I followed our guide, Franz Weber; and didn't keep up with Phil and Ray which would have added an extra five (5) miles. Highlight: Learned how to Paddle Board. Really fun stuff.
Highlight: Being with my friends in the company that I talk to from time
to time, but never see all year.
Lowlight: Kern beat me in the Paddle Board completion. (Nobody taught
me how to flip a U on the paddle board)." – George Ross
"What a great event we all enjoyed. It was educational and fun which included team events and teamwork."
– Kern Schumacher
"It is always great to get together with the other officers in such a beautiful place. I really enjoyed the 'hike' and the mountains and trails are spectacular. I did realize however that I still have a lot of work to do to get myself in shape. In other words Man versus Mountain Hike: 'MT. HIKE Whipped my butt'...." – Greg Cornett
"This is the 3rd Retreat I have attended and every year we have had a different agenda. But the one thing that sticks out for me is the people – getting to spend quality time and get to know them more on a personal level, plus Kern and Rhonda's graciousness and hospitality." – Rocky Smith
"It is always a pleasure getting together with the Officer's having
exceptional comradery, but this year peaked with having Franz Weber
join us. It's not often you get to rub elbows with an Olympian that held
multiple world records. Franz was very down to earth and such a joy to be
around. He turned what could have been a rigorous hike into an enjoyable
adventure. I believe his words were "Slow down and enjoy the view that
you rarely get to see." I think I've heard that somewhere before… Thanks
for the lifetime of memories Kern and Rhonda." – Scott Randolph
"There were several team competitions, which were really intriguing. In
order to win, it took every member giving it all they had." – Pat Reeves
"Walk the Transcontinental" Health Challenge Results
The health challenge was introduced in July. The challenge: to walk the length of the transcontinental railroad – 1900 miles – from San Francisco California to Council Bluff Iowa. Teams were formed and the race was on. We had 15 teams of 10 participating consisting of employees and family members. For some very competitive teams the friendly challenge quickly became a fierce competition. Each week when the weekly results were announced, teams were determined to work harder to move ahead of other teams.
Frozen Yogurt was awarded to the first team to reach Promontory Point. Team El Diablo reached Promontory Point first in only 7 days. Then El Diablo walked on reaching Council Bluff first in only 16 days! Each team member was awarded a $50 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods. Congratulations to Brad Ross, Justin Harryman, Mark DeWald, George Ross, April Washburn, Troy Schumacher, Julia Ross, Corrine Harryman, Easton Harryman, and Daxton Harryman.
Of course the challenge was supposed to go on for 10 weeks so everyone kept going – after all how much can you benefit from a 16 day health challenge? It was amazing to see how well everyone did.
Special Recognition goes to Team Silver Streaks (Allen Vickers, Beth Wyatt, Lester Lynch, Gerry Lynch, Bill Donnelly, Bill Beck, Greg Cornett, Vickie Anderson, Susan Vickers, and Heather Smith) who had the top number of steps overall for 7 of the 10 weeks and ended the 10-week period with more steps than any other team. Their total steps were 17,833,565. When this challenge started someone jokingly said, "forget Council Bluff, we are going to walk to New York!" 17,833,565 steps is far enough to walk from San Francisco to New York and back; then walk to New York AGAIN and have 165 miles behind you on the way back to San Francisco for the 2nd time!
It was a tight race with only 694,514 steps difference between Silver Streaks and El Diablo over 10 weeks.
To end the challenge, many employees and their families participated in the Utah Heart Walk & 5K Run in Salt Lake City. We had great participation with 10 5K runners and over 40 walkers from A&K. Plus, A&K was one of the top corporate participants for the Heart Walk.
To end the challenge, many employees and their families participated in the Utah Heart Walk & 5K Run in Salt Lake City. We had great participation with 10 5K runners and over 40 walkers from A&K. Plus, A&K was one of the top corporate participants for the Heart Walk.
Heart & Stroke Facts:
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Heart disease is our nation's # 1 killer, causing 41% of all deaths (more than the next 7 leading causes of deaths combined)
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1 in 3 Americans has some form of heart disease
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Every 33 seconds an American dies of heart disease
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Stroke is our nation's #3 killer and leading cause of serious, long-term disability
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42% of women who die each year, die from heart disease and stroke
Employee News
My nephew Austin Hulse was born 09/07/95. He was born with 5 heart defects, partly deaf, and an unknown and unexplained reason of why hydrocephalic. He was given an expected life expectancy of 9 months to 2 years. To date he has undergone a total of 107 surgeries; 4 open heart surgeries, pace maker, ear surgeries, and numerous shunt replacements with having his head shaved. With the help of glittering hearing aids, (he calls them his "bling bling") donated by Utah Jazz Basketball player, Carl Malone, Austin can hear.
On September 3rd to September 9th, Austin was able to attend Heart Camp in Catalina California. Where he could have fun and just be a kid with other children like himself. He turned 15 at camp and came home excited about having his first girl friend.
Recently after returning home, Austin went into heart failure and had to have a blood transfusion as the Laysic medication was no longer helping him. With Austin's determination and amazing strong will the doctors have decided to get him on the heart transplant list. He wants to grow up and become a counselor for kids like himself, and also wants to design a shunt that will not fail!
For this year's Heart Camp, Austin was able to go due to the help and support of some generous people. Cookie Tree donated cases of cookies for our fund raiser and Austin's "Nana" my sister Sandi and her husband Von also purchased more. Austin's friend Buzz from Tesoro Refinery put himself in charge and set out to collect money from co-workers raising money to get Austin to heart camp. With all of the donations made by A & K employees and Tesoro Refinery, we were able to raise $1,700.00 so Austin and his mom could go. Thank you so much for all that donated!
Eating Challenge
What? An eating challenge? Sounds like a 180 degree change after all the recent health challenge talk! Papa Bob's Bar-B-Que, a restaurant in Kansas City has a sandwich called "The Ultimate Destroyer". The challenge is to finish the sandwich, which is filled with 41/2 pounds of BBQ'd meat, 11/2 pounds of fries, and four dill pickle spears or jalapeno peppers within 45 minutes. The prize if you finish it is the price of the meal, your picture on the wall of fame, and an "I survived the Ultimate Destroyer" button. Bill Donnelly and Andy Price thought it would be fun to do. They invited all their family and friends to come hang out and enjoy the afternoon for what they called the "Post Health Challenge Event of the Year". And the results? Andy ate 2.25 pounds of the Destroyer. Bill ate 3.5 pounds of the Destroyer. Neither made the wall of fame but both had fun trying. Hope they had some antacids handy afterwards. Maybe next weekend Bill and Andy will go to the gym!
The last scheduled BBQ at Corporate Headquarters was held in September. It was hosted by the Operations group, Legal and Railroads. They prepared beef brisket and barbequed turkey served with salads, vegetables, fruit and rolls. For dessert, chocolate covered ice cream bars. They really wrapped up the season in style. The summer BBQs were such a nice experience thanks to the great participation we had!
Field Operations Across the U.S.
There is a flurry of activity among our Field Operations team across these great United States! These are the folks in our company who have a different mailing address from month-to-month and who provide an invaluable service to our company and customers. Below is a summary of where they're working today, but don't get used to it because they'll probably be somewhere else very soon!s
CWR Group Getting To Know Canada
Lately, our CWR group has been spending more time in the Canadian provinces than in the United States. In August, they relocated approximately 5-1/2 track miles of rail for Ontario Northland Railway, spanning from Kirkland Lake, Ontario to Moosonee, Ontario and various points in between. In early September, they delivered and unloaded 7-1/2 track miles of new welded rail to Quebec Gatineau Railway (QGRY) near Montreal, Quebec. And, in late September, they delivered and unloaded 7-1/2 track miles of new welded rail to St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railway (SLQ/SLR), beginning near Montreal and finishing in Vermont. The project manager for both QGRY and SLQ/SLR expressed his appreciation for the crew by saying, "I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of your team for the professionalism and the safe manner of work done."
Fable of the porcupine
It was the coldest winter ever - many animals died
because of the cold.
The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together.
This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.
After awhile they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.
So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
Moral of the story:
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
Copyright 2011 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
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