The Langdale Company Has World Class Employees
The results are in and it is official – The Langdale Company has World Class Employees. The World Class Employee Recognition (WCER) program, sponsored by First State Bank & Trust Company and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, gives local businesses an opportunity to recognize outstanding employees in the workplace. The WCER nomination process is unique in that employees nominate a fellow employee for the award based on certain “World Class Employee” criteria: attendance, attitude, dependability, quality of work, job knowledge, judgment and relationship with others.
The Langdale Company affiliates, Commercial Banking Company, had one nominee, Amanda Garland (Small Business Employee) and Langdale Forest Products, Co. had two nominees, Andrae Washington (Large Business Employee) and Ron Lowery (Large Business Supervisor).
The winners for the 2009 World Class Employee Recognition program were announced August 13th at an Early Bird Breakfast held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center. The winners were chosen by an independent selection committee made up of twelve top business and community leaders. Each winner received a check for $1,500, are featured on a billboard and will carry the title “2009 World Class Employee”.
Amanda Garland
Amanda Garland, Administrative Assistant, Commercial Banking Company (Baytree Branch) was selected as the 2009 Small Business Employee Winner. “Amanda is a person highly respected and esteemed by her customers and co-workers. Many customers have told us that they bank with us because of Amanda. She has a way of making customers feel at ease, and that she has their best interest at heart. She takes the time to truly listen, not only to their banking needs, but to them as individuals as they share with her. Her caring personality can calm even an irate customer. She makes people feel appreciated and welcome in our branch. When it comes to job knowledge, she is the one others turn to with questions. She is always willing to help, and willing to take on a new task. Her co-workers appreciate her willingness to put on whichever ‘hat’ is needed at any particular time without being asked. She sees a need and responds, whether it be helping in the teller line or picking up trash in the parking lot. She never complains or criticizes others. She is dedicated to this company and to doing the best job possible.”
Ron Lowery
Ron Lowery, Technical Supervisor, Langdale Forest Products Co. was selected as the 2009 Large Business Supervisor Winner. “Ron is the Technical Supervisor for 300 employees. During his ten years of employment, he has not had an unexcused absence. A picture of him could be submitted to Webster for inclusion with the definition of dependability. During both routine work and long, arduous hours, Ron never fails to maintain a positive, can-do attitude. Ron has an amazingly wide breadth of knowledge and is always seeking out new information. He is meticulous about working within policies and procedures, whether national standards such as OSHA codes or internal company policies, has provided him with a spotless safety record. Ron displays an exemplary, positive attitude, is self motivated and possesses innate ability. He is integrally involved in all major projects as well as day to day activities of the company. Volumes could be written about his value to Langdale Forest Products Company.”
Andrae Washington
Andrae Washington, Boiler Operator, Langdale Forest Products, Inc., was a finalist in this year’s recognition program and received a plaque and other recognition. He has proven to his coworkers and managers that he, too, has the attributes of a World Class Employee. “During his twelve years of employment, Andrae has not had an unexcused absence. He is always on time for his shift, and his quiet, self-assured manner has earned the respect of both fellow employees and management. He is an integral part of every major task involving his department and is the best Boiler Operator we employee. His safety record is spotless. He displays an exemplary, positive attitude and works extremely well by himself and in team situations. During both routine work and long, arduous hours, he never fails to maintain a positive, can do attitude that radiates throughout the area and employees with whom he works. Andrae demonstrates his superior job knowledge on a daily basis. Other operators do not hesitate to call Andrae at home when they are presented with a problem they do not know how to handle. Without management encouragement, he has come to the plant to help other operators with problems that could not be solved over the telephone. He routinely does whatever is necessary to keep his department running smoothly. A volunteer is never needed if Andrae is aware of the need for assistance.”