Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc. October 2013 Officer’s Retreat 2013 From the desk of Rhonda Nicoloff A&K’s Officers met for their 40th annual retreat in Lake Tahoe the weekend after the Labor Day holiday. Coming up with new activities after forty years is always a challenge, but there were several different elements this year including departing at 4:30AM Sunday for dawn patrol for the Great Reno Balloon Race, a mine tour and camel races in Virginia City as well as a ride on the scenic V&T Railroad. We kicked off the retreat with a traditional hike and a round of golf. After a healthy roundtable meeting Monday where we were able to work on strategic planning going forward as well as celebrate successes from this past year, the group headed to a ropes course to test their teamwork skills, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Everyone agreed the best part of the meeting each year is simply being able to connect and spend time as a group. Cheryl Norton [email protected]PO Box 30076, SLC, UT 84130 801-977-6328 To Contact the Editor: Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President 801-244-5083
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6 years 4 years 29 years 16 years 18 years 2 years Officer ... · Derek Harryman-SL Real Estate Dept. 4 years Francisco Eliseo-Kansas City, KS 18 years 6 Manuel Sandoval-Field Ops
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Think about that. One choice, just one, can change your life forever. Simply put, your life today is what your choices have made it, but with new choices, you can change
directions this very moment. For me, that idea alone is highly motivational because it offers tremendous hope, regardless of circumstances, for a better tomorrow.
Your life-changing choice may be to switch careers, to leave an abusive relationship, to go back to school, to stop drinking, to adopt a child, to start a business, to lose
weight, to start a charity … to name a few. If you have the courage to do so, you could make any one of those choices, or others, today. And you would change your life.
Sometimes it’s a different kind of choice. It can be to not quit, to not give up in the face of adversity. We’ve all been there.
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen received 77 rejections for their idea Chicken Soup for the Soul. They had to make a decision each time … should they throw in
the towel and say enough is enough, or should they keep trying to pursue their dreams? You know the rest of the story. The 78th publisher said “Yes” and they went on
to sell over 100 million books.
So never forget that you are only one choice away from changing your life. Do you have the courage to make it?
— Mac Anderson
Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
October 2013Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Rosario Beck-Phoenix, AZ Jhul Khanal-Kansas City, KS Rachael Espinoza-Iron Highway Logistics 6 years Sandy Smith-Field Ops 29 years Gabriel Arreola-Kansas City, KS 2 years
2 Gilberto Mendez Hernandez-Field Ops
3 Carlos Carmona Mendoza-Mira Loma, CA Johnny Hernandez-Toledo, OH Bryan Payton-New Orleans, LA Jose Ortiz-Kansas City, KS 16 years
4 Mark Montgomery-Clearfield, UT John Boisdore-New Orleans, LA Eliseo Tosado Ortega-Kansas City, KS Michael Reeves-Kansas City, KS
5 Angel Diaz Morales-Kansas City, KS Derek Harryman-SL Real Estate Dept. 4 years Francisco Eliseo-Kansas City, KS 18 years
6 Manuel Sandoval-Field Ops
7 Erika Montgomery-Clearfield, UT 1 year Marshane Hildebrand-Salt Lake City, UT 11 years
8 Jeff Kron-Field Ops Danny Escobar-Kansas City, KS
9 Carlos Medrano-Stockton, CA Reynaldo Longoria-Kansas City, KS Ann Cunningham-Gill-Tacoma, WA 24 years
10 11 Robert Wright-Field Ops 20 years Brandon Oien-Field Ops 2 years
12 Jose Calderon-Kansas City, KS Perry Whitledge-Dolomite, AL
13 Joe Herrera-Corporate HQ Ann Cunningham-Gill-Tacoma, WAKevin Hart-Kansas City, KS 33 years
14 Ricardo Salcedo-Kansas City, KS Dave Buckley-Clearfield, UT 31 years Melody Hoberek-Field Ops 20 years
15 Michelle Armstrong-Kansas City, KS 21 years Juan Martinez Gonzalez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
16 Brenda Robertson-Corporate HQ
17 George Ross-SL Real Estate Dept Adrian Laguna-Kansas City, KS Ector Roman-Kansas City, KS 2 years
18 Judy Tucker-Phoenix, AZ
19
20 Silverio Berber-SL Real Estate Dept Marcos Dominguez-Toledo, OH 41 years Connie Vizena-Hobart, IN 10 years
21 Rocky Smith-Corporate HQ 30 years Joe Maurer-Kansas City, KS 15 years
22 Albert Bonds-Natchez Railway
23 George Collins Jr.-Natchez Railway 1 year
24 25 Marshane Hildebrand-Salt Lake City, UT
26 Robert Neibaur-Salt Lake City, UT 8 years
27 28 David Hagadorn-Phoenix, AZ 17 years
29 Melody Hoberek-Field Ops
30 Alejandro Lopez-Kansas City, KS 5 years
31 Rachael Espinoza-Iron Highway Logistics Mark Veath-Granite City, IL Sergio Vasquez New Haven, CT 2 years
Birthdays and Anniversaries for October 2013 Birthdays Anniversaries
Copyright 2013 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
“You are always only one choice away from changing your life.” — Marcy Blochowiak
Officer’s Retreat 2013From the desk of Rhonda Nicoloff
A&K’s Officers met for their 40th annual retreat in Lake Tahoe the weekend after the Labor Day holiday. Coming up with new activities after forty years is always a
challenge, but there were several different elements this year including departing at 4:30AM Sunday for dawn patrol for the Great Reno Balloon Race, a mine tour
and camel races in Virginia City as well as a ride on the scenic V&T Railroad. We kicked off the retreat with a traditional hike and a round of golf.
After a healthy roundtable meeting Monday where we were able to work on strategic planning going forward as well as celebrate successes from this past year,
the group headed to a ropes course to test their teamwork skills, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Everyone agreed the best part of the meeting each
year is simply being able to connect and spend time as a group.
To Contact the Editor:Direct Line to Rhonda L. Nicoloff, President
801-244-5083
It was time to replace the old Billboards with brand new ones which include the new A&K logo!
A new wooden frame was built for both sides and new plywood backer boards and sign boards which were done by Gary Sign Company. Carl Kurek built the 12’ x
20’ frame for each sign and installed the new backer board and sign boards on the ground. They were then lifted using our locomotive crane and fastened to the
poles. A Boom Man Lift was rented so we had a safe platform to work on while installing the signs. It took a little getting used to being over 30 feet in the air but after
a little while you got used to working that high.
All wood used was exterior treated grade and we
went the extra mile by painting all wood to extend
the life of the billboards even more. All fasteners
used to build and secure the billboards were hot
dipped galvanized to insure they would not rust.
The signs look great and we started getting calls
for tie sales as soon as they were installed!
BBQ days continued at Corporate Headquarters with two being held in August. The first one was held on August 7th and
was hosted by the Salt Lake Real Estate department. The menu was beef brisket, ribs, chicken, pasta with alfredo sauce,
green salad and fresh fruit, with ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Everything was delicious!
The second was held on August 22nd, hosted by part of our Administrative group. It was a Mexican Fiesta
complete with decorations and a piñata! Lunch was a taco bar of steak and chicken strips with all the toppings,
taquitos, chips and a variety of salsa and dips. Cinnamon crisps were for dessert plus candy from the piñata. It
was a fun break in the day!
The last BBQ of the season was held on September 12th, hosted by the Salt Lake yard employees. They prepared
a wonderful lunch of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and brownies for dessert. The weather said “summer is over” on
that day as the temperature dipped down and the winds blew everyone back into the building to escape the cold.
These luncheons have been so fun throughout the summer thanks to everyone’s participation.
Employee News
New Billboards for the Gary Yard
BBQ Days
Top Performers for August 2013Kurt Maidl Hobart, IndianaDave Minor McMurray, PennsylvaniaBeth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas
Top Sales Year-to-DateBeth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas Kurt Maid Dave Minor Beth Wyatt
Casey Miller (Field Operations) and his wife Nicole are proud parents. Dalton Jayce Miller was born
August 12, 2013. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 ½ inches long. Congratulations!
Standing: Derek Harryman, April Washburn, Brad Ross, Justin Harryman, Jesse Askee, Mark DeWald, Portia Dempsey and guest Bryan Midgeley – Midgeley Construction.
Front: Alejandro Conde, Silverio Berber, George Ross
Front: Chris Lowe, Kim Overbey, Don David, Jim Owenby Back: Marshane Rebuck,
Bob Overbey, Lynn Kinsey, Robert Neibaur
Standing: Denise Burnside, Lisa Earl, Allen Vickers, Jeri Rasmussen, Tamara Godfrey.
Front: Cheryl Norton, Lonnie Wallace
It is possible that without this very special lady, Carmela Boyd, A&K may not exist. She contributed
much in the very beginnings of A&K. Her husband Al Boyd and Kern Schumacher became business
partners in 1959. This was the beginning of A&K (Al & Kern).
At the time when the ties on the Bay Bridge came up for sale, Kern was going to University of
California. It was going to take $60,000 to buy them. Kern couldn’t come up with his 50%, so
Carmela took the money she had set aside for the purchase of the house on Sandalwood Isle and
loaned it to Al and Kern. She was scared to death that she wouldn’t get it back. Kern says he thinks
they had it all paid back in less than 6 months. Then a year later he and Al bought another 100,000
ties from the old Key System lines that went up to and across the rest of the Bay Bridge. They had
made enough money on the first purchase that they didn’t have to borrow any more.
Carmela was Louise Russo’s sister. Louise is the late Nick Russo’s wife. The Boyd’s and the Russo’s
were instrumental from the very beginnings of A&K.
Carmela did all of the accounting for A&K by herself from the beginning up until the time that Morris
Kulmer became involved in the company. Then she helped him greatly in the transition of moving the
A&K accounting from California to Utah in 1968 and continued to help him many times over.
Carmela loved Kern as if he were her son. She was smart, kind and kept Al and Kern on the straight
and narrow. She will be deeply missed by so many who knew and loved her well.
May she rest in peace.
Memorare prayer forCarmela
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you,
OVirgin of virgins, my Mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate, do not ignore my petitions but in your mercy hear me and answer me. Amen
Carmela Boyd January 25, 1917 – September 1, 2013
It was time to replace the old Billboards with brand new ones which include the new A&K logo!
A new wooden frame was built for both sides and new plywood backer boards and sign boards which were done by Gary Sign Company. Carl Kurek built the 12’ x
20’ frame for each sign and installed the new backer board and sign boards on the ground. They were then lifted using our locomotive crane and fastened to the
poles. A Boom Man Lift was rented so we had a safe platform to work on while installing the signs. It took a little getting used to being over 30 feet in the air but after
a little while you got used to working that high.
All wood used was exterior treated grade and we
went the extra mile by painting all wood to extend
the life of the billboards even more. All fasteners
used to build and secure the billboards were hot
dipped galvanized to insure they would not rust.
The signs look great and we started getting calls
for tie sales as soon as they were installed!
BBQ days continued at Corporate Headquarters with two being held in August. The first one was held on August 7th and
was hosted by the Salt Lake Real Estate department. The menu was beef brisket, ribs, chicken, pasta with alfredo sauce,
green salad and fresh fruit, with ice cream sandwiches for dessert. Everything was delicious!
The second was held on August 22nd, hosted by part of our Administrative group. It was a Mexican Fiesta
complete with decorations and a piñata! Lunch was a taco bar of steak and chicken strips with all the toppings,
taquitos, chips and a variety of salsa and dips. Cinnamon crisps were for dessert plus candy from the piñata. It
was a fun break in the day!
The last BBQ of the season was held on September 12th, hosted by the Salt Lake yard employees. They prepared
a wonderful lunch of lasagna, salad, garlic bread and brownies for dessert. The weather said “summer is over” on
that day as the temperature dipped down and the winds blew everyone back into the building to escape the cold.
These luncheons have been so fun throughout the summer thanks to everyone’s participation.
Employee News
New Billboards for the Gary Yard
BBQ Days
Top Performers for August 2013Kurt Maidl Hobart, IndianaDave Minor McMurray, PennsylvaniaBeth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas
Top Sales Year-to-DateBeth Wyatt Kansas City, Kansas Kurt Maid Dave Minor Beth Wyatt
Casey Miller (Field Operations) and his wife Nicole are proud parents. Dalton Jayce Miller was born
August 12, 2013. He weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 ½ inches long. Congratulations!
Standing: Derek Harryman, April Washburn, Brad Ross, Justin Harryman, Jesse Askee, Mark DeWald, Portia Dempsey and guest Bryan Midgeley – Midgeley Construction.
Front: Alejandro Conde, Silverio Berber, George Ross
Front: Chris Lowe, Kim Overbey, Don David, Jim Owenby Back: Marshane Rebuck,
Bob Overbey, Lynn Kinsey, Robert Neibaur
Standing: Denise Burnside, Lisa Earl, Allen Vickers, Jeri Rasmussen, Tamara Godfrey.
Front: Cheryl Norton, Lonnie Wallace
It is possible that without this very special lady, Carmela Boyd, A&K may not exist. She contributed
much in the very beginnings of A&K. Her husband Al Boyd and Kern Schumacher became business
partners in 1959. This was the beginning of A&K (Al & Kern).
At the time when the ties on the Bay Bridge came up for sale, Kern was going to University of
California. It was going to take $60,000 to buy them. Kern couldn’t come up with his 50%, so
Carmela took the money she had set aside for the purchase of the house on Sandalwood Isle and
loaned it to Al and Kern. She was scared to death that she wouldn’t get it back. Kern says he thinks
they had it all paid back in less than 6 months. Then a year later he and Al bought another 100,000
ties from the old Key System lines that went up to and across the rest of the Bay Bridge. They had
made enough money on the first purchase that they didn’t have to borrow any more.
Carmela was Louise Russo’s sister. Louise is the late Nick Russo’s wife. The Boyd’s and the Russo’s
were instrumental from the very beginnings of A&K.
Carmela did all of the accounting for A&K by herself from the beginning up until the time that Morris
Kulmer became involved in the company. Then she helped him greatly in the transition of moving the
A&K accounting from California to Utah in 1968 and continued to help him many times over.
Carmela loved Kern as if he were her son. She was smart, kind and kept Al and Kern on the straight
and narrow. She will be deeply missed by so many who knew and loved her well.
May she rest in peace.
Memorare prayer forCarmela
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you,
OVirgin of virgins, my Mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate, do not ignore my petitions but in your mercy hear me and answer me. Amen
Carmela Boyd January 25, 1917 – September 1, 2013
Think about that. One choice, just one, can change your life forever. Simply put, your life today is what your choices have made it, but with new choices, you can change
directions this very moment. For me, that idea alone is highly motivational because it offers tremendous hope, regardless of circumstances, for a better tomorrow.
Your life-changing choice may be to switch careers, to leave an abusive relationship, to go back to school, to stop drinking, to adopt a child, to start a business, to lose
weight, to start a charity … to name a few. If you have the courage to do so, you could make any one of those choices, or others, today. And you would change your life.
Sometimes it’s a different kind of choice. It can be to not quit, to not give up in the face of adversity. We’ve all been there.
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen received 77 rejections for their idea Chicken Soup for the Soul. They had to make a decision each time … should they throw in
the towel and say enough is enough, or should they keep trying to pursue their dreams? You know the rest of the story. The 78th publisher said “Yes” and they went on
to sell over 100 million books.
So never forget that you are only one choice away from changing your life. Do you have the courage to make it?
— Mac Anderson
Monthly Newsletter of A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
October 2013Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Rosario Beck-Phoenix, AZ Jhul Khanal-Kansas City, KS Rachael Espinoza-Iron Highway Logistics 6 years Sandy Smith-Field Ops 29 years Gabriel Arreola-Kansas City, KS 2 years
2 Gilberto Mendez Hernandez-Field Ops
3 Carlos Carmona Mendoza-Mira Loma, CA Johnny Hernandez-Toledo, OH Bryan Payton-New Orleans, LA Jose Ortiz-Kansas City, KS 16 years
4 Mark Montgomery-Clearfield, UT John Boisdore-New Orleans, LA Eliseo Tosado Ortega-Kansas City, KS Michael Reeves-Kansas City, KS
5 Angel Diaz Morales-Kansas City, KS Derek Harryman-SL Real Estate Dept. 4 years Francisco Eliseo-Kansas City, KS 18 years
6 Manuel Sandoval-Field Ops
7 Erika Montgomery-Clearfield, UT 1 year Marshane Hildebrand-Salt Lake City, UT 11 years
8 Jeff Kron-Field Ops Danny Escobar-Kansas City, KS
9 Carlos Medrano-Stockton, CA Reynaldo Longoria-Kansas City, KS Ann Cunningham-Gill-Tacoma, WA 24 years
10 11 Robert Wright-Field Ops 20 years Brandon Oien-Field Ops 2 years
12 Jose Calderon-Kansas City, KS Perry Whitledge-Dolomite, AL
13 Joe Herrera-Corporate HQ Ann Cunningham-Gill-Tacoma, WAKevin Hart-Kansas City, KS 33 years
14 Ricardo Salcedo-Kansas City, KS Dave Buckley-Clearfield, UT 31 years Melody Hoberek-Field Ops 20 years
15 Michelle Armstrong-Kansas City, KS 21 years Juan Martinez Gonzalez-Kansas City, KS 1 year
16 Brenda Robertson-Corporate HQ
17 George Ross-SL Real Estate Dept Adrian Laguna-Kansas City, KS Ector Roman-Kansas City, KS 2 years
18 Judy Tucker-Phoenix, AZ
19
20 Silverio Berber-SL Real Estate Dept Marcos Dominguez-Toledo, OH 41 years Connie Vizena-Hobart, IN 10 years
21 Rocky Smith-Corporate HQ 30 years Joe Maurer-Kansas City, KS 15 years
22 Albert Bonds-Natchez Railway
23 George Collins Jr.-Natchez Railway 1 year
24 25 Marshane Hildebrand-Salt Lake City, UT
26 Robert Neibaur-Salt Lake City, UT 8 years
27 28 David Hagadorn-Phoenix, AZ 17 years
29 Melody Hoberek-Field Ops
30 Alejandro Lopez-Kansas City, KS 5 years
31 Rachael Espinoza-Iron Highway Logistics Mark Veath-Granite City, IL Sergio Vasquez New Haven, CT 2 years
Birthdays and Anniversaries for October 2013 Birthdays Anniversaries
Copyright 2013 A&K Railroad Materials, Inc.
“You are always only one choice away from changing your life.” — Marcy Blochowiak
Officer’s Reatreat 2013From the desk of Rhonda Nicoloff
A&K’s Officers met for their 40th annual retreat in Lake Tahoe the weekend after the Labor Day holiday. Coming up with new activities after forty years is always a
challenge, but there were several different elements this year including departing at 4:30AM Sunday for dawn patrol for the Great Reno Balloon Race, a mine tour
and camel races in Virginia City as well as a ride on the scenic V&T Railroad. We kicked off the retreat with a traditional hike and a round of golf.
After a healthy roundtable meeting Monday where we were able to work on strategic planning going forward as well as celebrate successes from this past year,
the group headed to a ropes course to test their teamwork skills, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Everyone agreed the best part of the meeting each
year is simply being able to connect and spend time as a group.