April 1, 2014
On January 24, we gathered at the Westin Hotel in downtown Boston to celebrate personal and company accomplishments and goals met in 2013, as well as the 40th Anniversary of Atlantic Plywood.
L to R: Sean McDonald, Glen Solley, Mark Carrier, Alan Brierley
L to R: Bill Littell, Dave Laing, Lew Paine
Tim Woodger, Charlie Woodger
As in years past, we like to begin the evening by acknowledging those employees who have reached milestone anniversaries. This year, we recognized Leon Fagundes, Ken Gill (CT), Wally Quinn (RI) & Danny Brandao who have been with us for 15 years. It is a company tradition to honor 20 year anniversaries with a Leather Jacket. On hand to receive theirs were Russ Thompson (ALB), David Laing (WOB), and Steve Puppo (CORP).
L to R: Marty Wojick, Russ Thompson, John Blakeney
L to R: Marty Wojick, Dave Laing, John Blakeney
L to R: Marty Wojick, John Blakeney, Steve Puppo, Paul Vella
Also reaching this milestone this year were Wayne Thompson (ALB) and Mike DeVito (CT). Celebrating his 25th anniversary with the company was Dennis Zdun (CT). And finally, though he doesn’t look a day over 30, David Beaudry (CT) celebrated his 30th anniversary with Atlantic Plywood.
Each year a number of awards are given out to employees and branches who have excelled over the course of the previous year. The first award given out was the Pride Award. This award is given each year to individuals who make an extra effort to make a difference in their branch and at Atlantic Plywood as a whole. The people that are receiving this award tonight have not only consistently accomplished the task and goals that have been asked of them, but also shown a strong commitment to Atlantic’s missions and values. They take great Pride in not only getting the job done, but also going beyond what is expected of them in contributing their time, energy, and talents to further the growth and development of our Company. This year’s Pride Award Recipients were: Brian McMahon (Woburn), Ken Gill (CT), Joel Wilson (Rochester), Luis Amaya (NJ), Michelle Moore (CT) and Scott Keller (Albany).
L to R: Marty Wojick, Joel Wilson, John Blakeney, Paul Vella
L to R: Marty Wojick, David Beaudry, Michelle Moore, John Blakeney, Paul Vella
Justin Krasinski & Eric Brooks presented the award for Inside Sales Representative of the Year. This person exemplifies what we feel Atlantic Plywood inside salespeople of the future should be in work ethic, intelligence, follow-through, pride of accomplishment, and overall attitude. He or She should be perceived by his or her peers to be the Best of the Best. This year’s winners were Kellie Greenburg (Rochester) & Pete Correia (East Providence).
L to R: Marty Wojick, Justin Krasinski, Kellie Greenberg, Paul Vella, John Blakeney, Eric Brooks
L to R: Justin Krasinski, Marty Wojick, Pete Correia, Eric Brooks, Paul Vella, John Blakeney
The 3 nominees for 2013 Outside Sales Representative of the Year were Arsenio Alvarez (NJ), Bob McKenna (CT), and Chris Ripley (East Providence). These three individuals finished 1, 2, & 3 in Total Sales for Atlantic Plywood and all three were top performers in every key product category that we put emphasis on. All three of these sales reps sell the complete line of products that make us a multi-line distributor. The winner of this award should best represent and have accomplished the goals that each manager has set forth for that individual. He/She should be a good representative of Atlantic Plywood on the street and show quantitative results in selling the whole product line. He/She should be perceived by their peers as the best of the best! Congratulations to this year’s winner – Chris Ripley.
L to R: Marty Wojick, Chris Ripley, Eric Brooks, Paul Vella, John Blakeney
Two years ago we started “The Gold Circle of Excellence.” The Gold Circle recognizes those individuals who not only accept difficult assignments, but complete them with results beyond expectations. These individuals recognize challenges on their own and take it upon themselves to find a solution or come up with an idea that will make Atlantic Plywood a better company. To all of us, these individuals are worth their weight in gold. In 2011 the winners were Jeff Engelbrecht, Wayne Moriarty, Tom Palie, Lew Paine, Earl Nelson and Charlie Woodger. In 2012 the winners were Bob McKenna, Pete Correia, Ken Gill, and Sean McDonald. Each of these individuals received a gift and had their names engraved on the Gold Circle of Excellence that hangs in our Corporate Office. The first of this year’s Circle of Gold winner has been around a long time – 32 years to be exact. He performs like clockwork. He’s dependable and has a great driving record. If there’s some special assignment to be done, you can call on him. Day in and day out he goes about his business quietly, but efficiently. A true asset to Atlantic Plywood for many years, we congratulate David Prifti.
L to R: Marty Wojick, Dave Prifti, Paul Vella, John Blakeney
This next Circle of Gold Winner worked his way up in the Company over the years. Starting out in inside sales, he graduated to outside salesman then on to Branch Manager. Having proven himself at that level he was given the task of overseeing three branches, which he has managed with great success. He is a leader to his people and extremely loyal. He is not afraid to voice his opinion and is right more often than not. Passionate about his work, he has put together a great team for Atlantic Plywood. One of the most consistent top performers at Atlantic Plywood, we congratulate Eric Brooks.
L to R: Eric Brooks, John Blakeney, Paul Vella
Our 2013 Most Improved Branch of the Year faced many hardships including changes in personnel, changes in product lines, and even a Hurricane. The staff there showed us they weren’t easily intimidated. They exceeded their sales goal last year while managing to cut expenses. These impressive results are reflective of their discipline and a never-say-die attitude. The award for Most Improved Branch of the Year for 2013 went to Carlstadt, New Jersey.
L to R: Marty Wojick, Steve Ciecura, John Blakeney, Paul Vella
East Providence won the 2012 Branch of the Year by generating the highest operating income in the company while increasing their sales and margin. This year’s Branch of the Year winner exceeded all sales and operating goals they set out for themselves. In many endeavors it is said that the toughest thing to do is repeat as the champ. East Providence was able to accomplish this feat as best in what they do and earned the title once again of Branch of the Year.
L to R: John Doherty, Wally Quinn, Eric Brooks, Pete Correia, Jay Pacheco, Chris Ripley, Alan Brierley
Our evening concluded with some words from one of our Company’s founders, Dave Larson, who regaled us with stories of the early days of Atlantic Plywood.
Dave Larson
Mr. Larson reminded us that much of our success as a company has come from hiring the best people, connecting with the best suppliers, and doing business with the best customers. While product innovation has come a long way since we began and the ways we communicate with each other have changed, the most important thing we can do is continue and maintain the relationships we have with each other. He concluded with some words of wisdom, “The best thing Atlantic Plywood has going for it is the people. This is your company and you own it. We are all in this together. Be courteous, be kind, be loving and compassionate to the people you work with. Ask not what Atlantic Plywood can do for you, but what you can do for Atlantic Plywood.”
We sincerely thank everyone who joined us for this evening of celebration, which wrapped up with a little bit of fun….
Jeff Engelbrecht and David Beaudry
