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by Laura Patriquin Communications Intern Here at Watco, one of our foundation principles is to “Safely Improve Everyday.” For the last sev- eral years, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has recognized the company and other short lines for their consistent dedication to safety. e Jake Award is given by the ASLRRA to railroads who ended 2014 with an RPI (reportable personal injury) fre- quency ratio below the ASLRRA average (2.55 in 2014), and the Jake with Distinction Award goes to those who perform Reportable Injury free. Last year, twenty-three of Watco Railroads were recognized, with 18 of those earning the Jake with Distinction Award. is year, Watco improved on its previous success; 26 of 30 railroads received a Jake Award, 22 of them performing RPI free and earning the Jake with Distinction Award. While only railroads are eligible for the Jake Award, Watco’s Switching and Terminal and Ports locations also attained outstanding safety perfor- mance; 23 of 24 Switching locations and 16 of 23 Terminal and Ports locations were RPI free, and two additional terminals finished the year under the ASLRRA average of 2.55. In total, 62 of 78 Watco profit centers at the field level were RPI free and an additional seven were under the ASLRRA RPI average. Travis Herod, senior vice president of safety, said, "is is an exceptional achievement and recognition of Watco’s continued commitment to improving safety performance across all its profit centers, from railroads, to switching centers, to terminals and ports." e 22 of 30 railroads receiving the Jake with Distinction Award are: the Alabama Southern, Ann Arbor, Arkansas Southern, Austin Western, Autauga Northern, Baton Rouge Southern, Blue Ridge Southern, Boise Valley, Great Northwest, Kaw River, Louisiana Southern, Mission Moun- tain, Mississippi Southern, Pacific Sun, Palouse River and Coulee City, Pecos Valley, Pennsylvania Southwest, San Antonio Central, Swan Ranch, Timber Rock, Vicksburg Southern, and the Yel- lowstone Valley. e four Railroads receiving the Jake Award for 2014 are: Birmingham Terminal, Kansas and Oklahoma, Stillwater Central, and the Wisconsin and Southern. Switching locations that went RPI Free for 2014 are: Alvin, Texas; DeRidder, Louisiana (Boise, MeadwestVaco); El Dorado, Arkansas; Deer Park, Texas; Westlake, Louisiana; Prattville, Alabama; Kansas City, Missouri; Pensacola, Florida; TPC Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech- es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana; D-WAT, Pennsylvania; Gillette, Wyoming (un- der Basin); Galena Park, Texas; Lena, Louisiana; Hammond, Indiana; and Genoa, Nebraska. Watco Terminal and Ports locations that went RPI Free in 2014 are: Rockford, Illinois; St. Louis, Illinois; Pittsburg, Kansas; Stroud, Oklahoma; Stanley, North Dakota; Tioga, North Dakota; Houston (Mercuria); Tampa, Colorado; Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania (PES); Wellington, Utah; Bayway, New Jersey; Ferndale, Washington, and Houston's WDRL Rail, WDRL Dock, and WDRL RE. Watco Terminals that came in under the 2.55 ASLRRA average include: Refugio, Texas, and Fryburg, North Dakota. Congratulations to all these locations who focus each and every day on safely serving our Custom- ers. One injury is one too many and these loca- tions are working hard to eliminate that one. Dispatch the The newsleer for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportaon Services, LLC April 2015, Volume 16, Issue 4 Watco short lines receive safety awards When Congressman Roger Williams first stepped out of his car at the Austin Western Railroad, he said that ever since he was a kid he had always wanted to do two things: play professional baseball and be a locomotive en- gineer. He was able to accom- plish the first goal on his own and we were very happy to help with his second. On March 13th the Congressman took a ten-mile locomotive ride to visit the Texas railroad's largest Cus- tomer Old- castle. Oldcastle operates a quarry near Marble Falls and the Austin Western provides empty railcars to the quarry. Once the cars are loaded, the Austin Western delivers the loaded rock cars to Oldcastle customers either in the Austin area or further out to Texas and Louisiana customers. Congressman Williams was not only able to see the importance of maintaining the in- frastructure on the railroad but was also able to learn more about the operations of the largest construction materials manufacturer in North America. Jeff Van Schaick, Watco's assistant vice president of government affairs, said, "Con- gressman Williams has been a consistent supporter of the short line railroad industry and our 45G short line tax credit since he has been in Congress. We are thankful that he took the time to come visit us to learn more about our operations in his district and the Customers that the Austin Western Railroad serves." Texas Congressman visits the Austin Western Texas Congressman Roger Williams visited the Austin Western Railroad and was taken for a ride on WAMX 4146. Pictured are (l-r): Tim Enayati, marketing manager, Mike (Sarge)Hankins, Congressman Williams, and Jeff Van Schai- ck, Watco's assistant vice president of government affairs. Texas Congressman Roger Williams with Engineer Will Balzen aboard the WAMX 4146.
6

theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

Aug 19, 2018

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Page 1: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

by Laura PatriquinCommunications Intern

Here at Watco, one of our foundation principles is to “Safely Improve Everyday.” For the last sev-eral years, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has recognized the company and other short lines for their consistent dedication to safety. The Jake Award is given by the ASLRRA to railroads who ended 2014 with an RPI (reportable personal injury) fre-quency ratio below the ASLRRA average (2.55 in 2014), and the Jake with Distinction Award goes to those who perform Reportable Injury free.

Last year, twenty-three of Watco Railroads were recognized, with 18 of those earning the Jake with Distinction Award. This year, Watco improved on its previous success; 26 of 30 railroads received a Jake Award, 22 of them performing RPI free and earning the Jake with Distinction Award.

While only railroads are eligible for the Jake Award, Watco’s Switching and Terminal and Ports locations also attained outstanding safety perfor-mance; 23 of 24 Switching locations and 16 of 23 Terminal and Ports locations were RPI free, and two additional terminals finished the year under

the ASLRRA average of 2.55.In total, 62 of 78 Watco profit centers at the field

level were RPI free and an additional seven were under the ASLRRA RPI average.

Travis Herod, senior vice president of safety, said, "This is an exceptional achievement and recognition of Watco’s continued commitment to improving safety performance across all its profit centers, from railroads, to switching centers, to terminals and ports."

The 22 of 30 railroads receiving the Jake with Distinction Award are: the Alabama Southern, Ann Arbor, Arkansas Southern, Austin Western, Autauga Northern, Baton Rouge Southern, Blue Ridge Southern, Boise Valley, Great Northwest, Kaw River, Louisiana Southern, Mission Moun-tain, Mississippi Southern, Pacific Sun, Palouse River and Coulee City, Pecos Valley, Pennsylvania Southwest, San Antonio Central, Swan Ranch, Timber Rock, Vicksburg Southern, and the Yel-lowstone Valley.

The four Railroads receiving the Jake Award for 2014 are: Birmingham Terminal, Kansas and Oklahoma, Stillwater Central, and the Wisconsin and Southern.

Switching locations that went RPI Free for 2014

are: Alvin, Texas; DeRidder, Louisiana (Boise, MeadwestVaco); El Dorado, Arkansas; Deer Park, Texas; Westlake, Louisiana; Prattville, Alabama; Kansas City, Missouri; Pensacola, Florida; TPC Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana; D-WAT, Pennsylvania; Gillette, Wyoming (Thun-der Basin); Galena Park, Texas; Lena, Louisiana; Hammond, Indiana; and Genoa, Nebraska.

Watco Terminal and Ports locations that went RPI Free in 2014 are: Rockford, Illinois; St. Louis, Illinois; Pittsburg, Kansas; Stroud, Oklahoma; Stanley, North Dakota; Tioga, North Dakota; Houston (Mercuria); Tampa, Colorado; Phila-delphia, Pennsylvania (PES); Wellington, Utah; Bayway, New Jersey; Ferndale, Washington, and Houston's WDRL Rail, WDRL Dock, and WDRL RE.

Watco Terminals that came in under the 2.55 ASLRRA average include: Refugio, Texas, and Fryburg, North Dakota.

Congratulations to all these locations who focus each and every day on safely serving our Custom-ers. One injury is one too many and these loca-tions are working hard to eliminate that one.

DispatchtheThe newsletter for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportation Services, LLC April 2015, Volume 16, Issue 4

Watco short lines receive safety awards

When Congressman Roger Williams first stepped out of his car at the Austin Western Railroad, he said that ever since he was a kid he had always wanted to do two things: play professional baseball and be a locomotive en-

gineer. He was able to accom-plish the first goal on his own and we were very happy to help with his second.

On March 13th the Congressman took a ten-mile locomotive ride to visit the Texas railroad's largest Cus-tomer Old-castle. Oldcastle

operates a quarry near Marble Falls and the Austin Western provides empty railcars to the quarry. Once the cars are loaded, the Austin Western delivers the loaded rock cars to Oldcastle customers either in the Austin area or further out to Texas and Louisiana customers.

Congressman Williams was not only able to see the importance of maintaining the in-frastructure on the railroad but was also able to learn more about the operations of the largest construction materials manufacturer in North America.

Jeff Van Schaick, Watco's assistant vice president of government affairs, said, "Con-gressman Williams has been a consistent supporter of the short line railroad industry and our 45G short line tax credit since he has been in Congress. We are thankful that he took the time to come visit us to learn more about our operations in his district and the Customers that the Austin Western Railroad serves."

Texas Congressman visits the Austin Western

Texas Congressman Roger Williams visited the Austin Western Railroad and was taken for a ride on WAMX 4146. Pictured are (l-r): Tim Enayati, marketing manager, Mike (Sarge)Hankins, Congressman Williams, and Jeff Van Schai-ck, Watco's assistant vice president of government affairs.

Texas Congressman Roger Williams with Engineer Will Balzen aboard the WAMX 4146.

Page 2: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

page 2Dispatchthe April 2015

As the school year's end is quickly approaching, many members of the Watco Team and/or their family members will be crossing stages across the continent (and ocean) to receive their diplomas from various academic institutions.

Watco would like to acknowledge the hard work and show how proud we are of all graduates from our families by listing them in the May edition of The Dispatch.

If you would like to have your or a graduate’s information listed, send in the information in the

following format:• Graduates name and relationship to Watco team

member• Watco team member’s title and location• The school graduate is attending and location of

that school• If the graduate is receiving a degree from a

college, university or trade school list the graduates degree type

An example would be: Billy Doe: Son of John Doe, locomotive mechanic in Oklahoma City,

OK; graduating from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Send your graduation information to: Tracie VanBecelaere, Watco Companies315 W. 3rd Street, Pittsburg, KS 66762or email them to: [email protected] and add Dispatch-May Graduation in the subject line.

If you had someone graduate in December and would like to have them listed please send their information and it will be added to the list.

Graduation Announcements

by Katie SackettDirector of Marketing- Wisconsin & Southern Railroad

The Wisconsin and Southern Railroad (WSOR) broke ground on March 24th to reconstruct nearly 11 miles of State-owned freight rail track between Plymouth to Kohler, Wisconsin. This is a milestone in a 9-year effort by state and local officials and area business owners to restore rail service after the line was embargoed in 2006.

Work already started on the line in late 2014 with the clearing of trees from the rail right-of-way and the recycling of the old tracks. The ground-breaking kicks off the main reconstruction of the tracks which is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2015.

Property owners along the tracks have already been notified and the WSOR is working with local government to minimize the impact of road closures as sections of the track are rebuilt.

The rail restoration project is estimated at $19.1 million. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has announced it will be pro-viding over $17 million towards the project. The remaining funds will be provided by WSOR; the cities of Plymouth and Sheboygan Falls; Sheboygan County; Bemis Manufacturing; Kettle Lakes Co-op; and Morrelle Transfer & Warehouse.

Ken Lucht, WSOR's director of government relations, stated, "We are excited to service several existing customers along the rail line. There are several plots of land suited for industrial or warehousing uses along the rail line. In addition, we are working with several area businesses to establish multi-modal capabilities on the existing line. WSOR is committed to moving freight by rail. Re-opening the Sheboygan Falls Sub is just one more way we are addressing customer needs and market demands."

WSOR breaks ground to restore the Sheboygan Falls Sub

Pictured at the Sheboygan Sub groundbreaking are (l-r): Ken Lucht, WSOR; Mayor Mike Vandersteen, City of Sheboygan; Roger Te Stroete, Sheboygan County Board; Jerry Thompson, City of Plymouth; Rick Gundrum, East Wis-consin Counties Railroad Consortium; Secretary Mark Gottlieb, WisDOT; Mayor Don Pohlman, City of Plymouth; Mayor Randy Meyer, City of Sheboygan Falls; Jerry Holub, Sheboygan County Board; John Rogers, Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce; Dane Checolinski, Sheboygan County EDC; Jeff Matz-dorf, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce; Dick Bemis, Sheboygan County Board; and Patrick Drinan, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

The team members at the TPC Switching location in Houston, Texas, have gone nearly eight years injury-free and one of the reasons why is their keen attention to detail. The TS&IC Team recently gave Eagle Eye Awards to Crew Leader Evaristo Corona, Switchmen Brian King and Engineer Joseph Babineaux. The three spotted a broken rail on the main line leading into the rack and stopped movement in the dark when they spotted the broken rail.

Another team member, Kyle Gage, also received the Eagle Eye Award for finding a broken rail in the middle of a crossing on one of the leads.

The actions of these men prevented a possible derailment and showed how their dedication to safety has kept them injury-free for such a long period.

Left to right: Clinton Meadows, David Muro, Marcus Olvera, Bernardo Cuevas, Evaristo Corona, Brian King, Ron Jackson, David Gonzales, Kyle Gage, Kevin Bejarano, Kevin Woods, Phillip Jackson. Not pictured is Joseph Babineaux.

TPC Team Members recognized for their attention to detail

Page 3: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

Dispatchthe page 3 April 2015

by Laura PatriquinCommunications Intern

There are few things more essential to a comfortable life than a decent, affordable place to live. For volunteers at Habitat for Humanity, this is more than just a passing ideal; it is a mis-sion. On March 20th, three members of the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad (KO) Team Safety and Improvement Committee (TS&IC)donated their time and energy to working on a home for a family in need.

Thrivent Financial partnered with the Wichita Habitat for Humanity for

the build and donated $40,000. This marked the 10th home constructed from the partnership. Through a mutual connection, the project was brought to the KO TS⁣ immedi-ately the team jumped on the oppor-tunity.

“We wanted to help strengthen the

communities we work in,” said TS&IC Leader and Boom Truck Operator Jim Blevins, one of the volunteers.

The house the team worked on was put together over 11 days, and is one of many the organization is aiming to build in more neglected areas of the city in an effort to improve urban liv-ing conditions.

Another volunteer, Engineer Chad Thimesch, embodied Habitat for Humanity’s mission to “bring people together to build homes, communi-ties, and hope,” saying, “We did this to help a family out in need, I hope someone would do the same for my

family if I ever found my-self down and out.”

Jimmy Patterson, KO general manager, helped facilitate the connec-tion and was glad to see the enthusiasm from his team’s members. “The KO TS&IC is a very special and important group. Not only for our railroad, but in this case they volunteered their own time to do something good for a family they may never meet. I’m very proud of our team and everything they’ve accomplished.”

Since 1986, Wichita Habitat for Humanity has built 162 houses and placed 200 families in homes. The organization relies heav-

ily on volunteers, so participation from participants like the Watco team members is essential to the success of the builds. With the help of KO’s vol-unteers and others like them, Habitat for Humanity is one step closer to its vision of “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Three team members from the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad who helped with a Wichita Habitat for Humanity project are (l-r): Engineer Drew Otto, Engineer Chad Thimesch and TS&IC Leader and Boom Truck Operator Jim Blevins.

Kansas team members hammer for habitats

Revenue Accounting Team visits Pitt State

Many students at Pittburg State University only know Watco from it's yellow tent at the football tailgates or the "Gorilla" locomotive painted in the PSU color scheme. The Revenue Accounting Team is trying to change that and recently visited with students in Beta Alpha Psi, a non-profit international honor and service organization for students. Beta

Alpha Psi recognizes students for their achievements of accounting, finance, and information systems.

The group gave a presentation to the students on Watco's history, growth and what the Revenue Accounting Team's duties entail.

Derek Prestholt, assistant manager revenue accounting - invoicing, said, "I enjoyed watching the students reac-tions when discussing the company’s growth over the last 10 years. Prior to this I don’t believe they fully under-stood the scope of services that Watco provides, or the amazing opportuni-ties that are available here. I think it can only benefit us to continue this relationship with the school and to tap

into the talent that we have here at Pitt State."Following the presentation students were invited to visit the Watco of-

fices for a meet and greet session to get better acquainted with the team members and were able to learn about internship opportunities, com-pany culture, and gain business knowledge.

“Having a university in town is an excellent resource. Develop-ing and maintaining relationships with the campus can lead to long-term success within our team as well as for the Univer-sity. Communicating our processes and growth was an excel-lent way to gauge interest with the students," said Joey Bitner, collections administrator.

Team members who attended the presentation were Kellie Sisler, Debbie Bishop, Kylie Collier, Lindsay Shoemaker, Rebekah Garner, and Derek Prestholt.

Lindsay Shoemaker, Watco in-tern, talks to Pittburg State Beta Alpha Psi members about Watco Companies.

Joey Bitner, collections administrator, center, lis-tens as Kylie Collier, recruiter, talks to the students about opportunities that are available at Watco.

Congratulations to the San Antonio Central Rail-road (SAC) Team for reaching their three year safety anniversary. The Texas team celebrated this momen-tous event with a dinner at Fogo de Chão. Addition-ally, the crew received SAC shirts as a gift for their diligence. The team contributes their success to the trust, dedication, attention to detail, and the love for their job.

Mario Salinas, San Antonio’s engineer stated, “We focus on safety because at the end of the day we all want to go home and see our families, and we know they want us home also. Safety is paramount on the SAC.”

Team members at the San Antonio Central Rail-road are Jacob Gonzales, Jeffrey Pacheco, and Mario Salinas.

San Antonio Central Team celebrates three years injury-free

Page 4: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, get on your way!

- Dr. Seuss

The above quote isn't something the Greens Port team in Houston hears every day during their job briefings. However, it was something some of the team members were reading while participating in an event at nearby Woodland Acres Elementary School. Several team members spent time

at the school helping celebrate Dr. Seuss Day on March 2nd.

The team members not only donned the customary "Seuss" garb such as red and white bowties, hats, suspenders, tights, gloves, and t-shirts, but they donated several of the same items as well. In addition to donating the Seuss-wear, the

team donated some of the their favorite Dr. Seuss books to the school.This is an annual event that the school normally holds for one day within the week before the school's Spring Break.

There was representation from the following Watco team members: John Edwards, Ron Bird, Charles Dettmann, Bret Burright, Jeremy Bellamy, and Jennifer Severe.

Severe said, "I would like to thank our team so much for taking the time to read to these kids. It was greatly appreciated and kids enjoyed the time."

Dispatchthe April 2015page 4

Railroading runs deep in the Clemmon's family and Ken Clemmons just added 40 years to their time spent working on the railroad. Ken just retired on March 30th as sales and industrial de-velopment manager at the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR).

Clemmons is a fourth generation railroader, his great grandfather, grandfather and dad all were proud railroaders. The Clemmons crew at one time even ran a train; Ken’s dad was the conduc-tor, his uncle was the rear brakeman and Ken provided his services as the head brakeman.

Ken began his career in railroading in 1974 when he was hired on as a conductor with the Milwaukee Road. He spent the next eight years working various jobs on many different cor-ridors and subdivisions in Portage and Wausau, Wisconsin and in Minnesota. In 1983, he took a year off to work as a sales manager at Steve Ger-hart's Sports Center on the east side of Madison. Ken re-entered the rail industry in 1984 to be a conductor on the Central Wisconsin Railroad. After the Wisconsin & Calumet Railroad (WICT) purchased the Central Wisconsin, Ken worked as a conductor and served in other operational posi-tions for the next seven years. When the WSOR purchased the WICT in 1992, Ken was promoted

to sales and industrial development manager. Ken and his wife Debbie are planning to retire

in the Nashville, Tennessee, area. A few years ago they vacationed down South and fell in love with the Southern hospitality and the quality of life that the area offers. Both Ken and Deb-bie plan to enjoy their retirement years traveling domestically and abroad. Ken looks forward to spending some of his free time on the golf course bringing down his handicap and gardening at his new house. He also will no doubt enjoy spend-ing many hours on his new boat learning where

the best watering holes are in his home state. Ken looks forward to visits with his five sons and eight grandchildren. The one activity that Ken is happy to leave behind is shoveling snow from December through March!

Congratulations Ken on your retirement. We thank you for your time and wish you and Debbie much happiness.

Wisconsin railroader retires after 40 years

Ken Clemmons working as a conductor back in April of 1985.

Ken Clemmons and his wife Debbie give a thumbs up to his retirement plans.

Oh, the places our Greens Port Team will go

Books donated by Greens Port to

Woodland Acres Elementary School

• The Cat in the Hat

• Green Eggs and Ham

• Hop on Pop

• I Am Not Getting Up Today!

• Oh Say Can You Say?

• There’s a Wocket in My Pocket

• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue

Fish

• Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

• Fox in Socks

• Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

• Happy Birthday to You!

Jeremy Bellamy

Charles Dettmann & John Edwards

Page 5: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

Kayden Tyler May

Ben and Darcie May are the proud parents of their first child, a baby boy, Kayden Tyler. Kayden was born on March 3, 2015. He weighed 6 lbs., 8 oz., and was 21 inches long.

Ben is a track train-ing coordinator headquartered out of the Boise, Idaho, offices.

Ellie May Decker

Jason and Priscilla Decker May are the proud parents of a baby girl, Ellie May. Ellie was born March 1, 2015. She weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz., and was 18.5 inches long.

Silblings Andrew and Norah welcomed Ellie home.

Jason is a superintendent at the Chicago Heights, Illinois, terminal location.

WAT CO

WO R L D

This section is dedicated to Watco Team Members to give you a chance

to share what’s happening in your corner of the Watco World.

Dispatchthe April 2015page 5

BirthsAllison Lyn McGee

Don and Jessica McGee are the proud parents of a baby girl, Allison Lyn born on February 5, 2015. Allison Lyn weighed 6 lbs., 11 oz., and was 19 inches long.

Proud maternal grandparents are Barbara and Bill Crawford of Pittsburg, Kansas. Barbara is the real estate admin-istrative assistant in Pittsburg.

Proud paternal grandparents are Tony and Mary McGee, Joplin, Missouri.

Donovan Ryker Butler

Donovan and Amy Butler are the proud parents of a baby boy, Dono-van Ryker, born on February 17, 2015. Ryker weighed 9 lbs., 1 oz., and was 20.5 inches long.

Ryker was welcomed home by his sisters Madison, 12, and Ryleigh, 8.

Donovan is a pricing administrator and works out of the Stillwell, Kansas, office.

April Anniversaries Congratulations to the following team mem-bers celebrating their anniversaries!

1 Year: Marcus Blumer, Brooke Brown, Partick Brown, Allen Bushnell, Paul Esparza, John Far-row, Christopher Garrett, Antonio Green, Frank

Greenough, Lauren Guthrie, Andrew Hendrickson, Austin Hogan, Demrick Houser, Alfie Hutchinson, Steven Iszler, Jaden Jacobs, Kersy Johnson, Jona-than Larson, Alexia Lewis, Toby Long, Rebecca McChesney, Patrick McCray, David McIntosh, Jus-tin McLean, Brandon Mitchell, Alejandro Montano, Paul Muzik, Theodore Nicholson, Isidro Palacio, Michael Porter, Roberto Sanchez, Dustin Schilling, Hunter Seawood, Lloyd Simon, Dean Smith, Chad Stacy, Douglas Stewart, Christopher Stroman, Johann Suiter, Travis Weddle, Stacy Willis, Travis Yakes, Richard Zink2 Years: Adam Barrera, Keith Bowman, John Castleberry, Michael Crosslin, Andrew Gonstead, Dustin Hammerschmidt, Tyler Hardy, Nathan Hen-derson, John Honaker, Joseph Lewis, James Lynn, Quinchez Marshall, Jared May, Jacob Nance, Kyle Ratliff, Bill Rollins, Jennifer Severe, Jerick Staker, Dustin Steger, Meaghan Tucker, Terri Turiano, Chase Upchurch, Caleb Ussery, Shane Varno, Nicholas Wayman3 Years: Scott Ayers, Barry Beasley, Willie Carson, Joseph Giordano, Nicholas Graham, Christopher Hammond, Justin Hayes, Stefan Holcomb, Stepha-nie James, Timothy Jenkins, William King, Michael Kruse, James Lathum, Michael Mulnix, Dustin Perkins, Jason Randolph, Patrick Stout, Andrew Thompson, Gary Truex, Mark Wells, John West-brook, Tyrus White, Jeremy Williams, Tracy Wright, Carlton Young4 Years: Mark Adams, Joshua Allphin, David Bader, Kraig Blackwelder, Joshua Briggs, Henery Dannehl, Douglas Delehoy, Megan Gwin, Allen Hasty, Richard Hudson, Tyler Neesam, Timothy Page, Michael Patterson, Steven Ponio, Dustin Rhodes, Donald Robert, Christa Steege, David Stimer, Gerald Tjepkema5 Years: Hayley Becker, Randall Bennett, William Casey, Shon Christensen, Waylon Doyle, Allen Godfrey, Anthony Hoyte, Houston Knight, Rachael

Peterson, David Riley, Kevin Roth, Owen Schulz, Andrew Smith, James Sullins, Roidino Trevino6 Years: Angela Bunker, Joseph Grupczynski, Mark Moorlag, Michael Murphy7 Years: Tye Gray, Chris Haddow, Rus-sell Hamm, Robert Hurda, Joseph Magnone, Jose Martinez, Curtis Rice, Arnoldo Sandoval8 Years: Tony Clark, Rebekah Garner, Joseph Holcomb9 Years: Shellee Currier, Timothy Dunn, Cody Gil-liland, Christopher Preuc10 Years: Jerad Brunskill, Brandon Eddleman, Tra-vis Fellers, Pat Foster, Brian Fox, Justin Rhodes, Tracie VanBecelaere, David Witzack11 Years: Jeffery Greenwood, Dennis Meyer12 Years: Shane Engle, Judith Johnson13 Years: Brent Booth, Lisa Butts, Pat Cedeno, John Galloway, Gary Vogels15 Years: Robert Heiligenthal, Jeanne Housel, Wil-liam Kyzer, Byron Marshall17 Years: Stacey Hurda18 Years: Anthony Ange, Jeremy Findley, David Jena19 Years: Kenneth Barber20 Years: Aaron Byle22 Years: Neal Jacobs24 Years: Gary Cooley, Gary Sanderson26 Years: Dwight Browning30 Years: Thomas Dawson32 Years: Anthony Decapio36 Years: Larry Bohland

Page 6: theDispatch - Watco Companies€¦ · Houston, Texas; Brimstone, Louisiana; Port Nech-es, Texas; Green River, Wyoming (Solvay, OCI); Mansfield, Louisiana; Lake Charles, Louisiana;

Dispatchthe

315 W. Third StreetPittsburg, KS 66762www.watcocompanies.com

PRST STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDPRADMAR CORPThe newsletter for Watco Companies, LLC and Watco Transportation Services, LLC

April 2015, Volume 16, Issue 4

Alabama team rolls to injury-free anniversaryThe Alabama Southern Railroad Team

recently rolled on to celebrate two years with no injuries. The team celebrated the milestone event with an in-house cook out with Bill Goldsberry, East region, director of opera-tions, serving as the grillmaster.

According to ABS General Manager Anwar Aiken, the team’s success is due to hard work as well as professionalism and pride in the work that the team members perform.

Aiken said, "The reason the ABS is success-ful is because we do the right thing, every day.”

Team members at the ABS are: Anwar Aiken, Edward Appleby Jr., Luther Boothe, Brian Ezell, Faron Colburn, Marcus Graham, Brian Robinson, Melvin Crawford, Cecil

Traylor, James Lathum III, Michael McMillan, Cedric Bonner, Jason Jewell, Michelle Hub-bard, Charles Davidson, Jeffrey Pierce, Na-than Champion, Charles Price, John Woods, Richard Hudson, Christopher Thomas, Johnny Fields, Robert Godfrey, Cody Gilliland, Joshua Jewell, Seth Morris, Dale Bright, Joshua Wil-liams, Shannon Inmon, Darvis Hicks, Justin Killingsworth, Travis Hodge, Dillon Hopper, Keeland Scales, Victor Smith, Douglas Dele-hoy, Lewis Burlison, and Willis Whitaker.

Top photo: Team members of the Alabama Southern Railroad Maintenance of Way. Right: The two year injury-free ABS Team.

Shift supervisor Bret Burright not only supervises Hous-ton's Greens Port Crude by Rail Team, he also spends time as a volunteer for the Dickinson County Police Academy Alumni Association (DCPAAA). The DCPAAA works closely with the Dickinson Police Department and the Dickinson Police Officers Association on community oriented projects and concerns. They meet monthly and are often involved in forming fund rais-ers and committees that have positive effects on the community.

Burright received a Silver Level VIP award at the Dickinson Police Department and the Dickinson Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association's annual banquet on March 14. The silver level award is achieved by providing 250 hours of community service. The hours were acquired by working at the local food pantry, escorting a parade, working as Citizens on Patrol, and helping kids at a training seminar. These are just a few of the projects that Burright is involved in as part of his vision to build a safer community.

GPIP supervisor receives VIP award

Bret Burright, GCBR-GPIP shift supervisor, (right) receives a Silver Level VIP Award from Dickinson County (TX) Detective Frank Price.

Watco U Training and Development Specialist Nick Weber visited the Bur-ley, Idaho, location and team members there participated in the above Team Building exercise.

WATCO U