OC News: January 2018

Hatswork Blog Wins Gold Pyramid Award at PPAI Expo

The Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) celebrated the 60^th Anniversary of its Pyramid Award Competition awarding 44 Gold, 88 Silver, 12 supplier Star and 10 Supplier Award of Merit Winners at the PPAI Walk of Fame award ceremonies held January 16^th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in conjunction with the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas.

Outdoor Cap is proud to announce we were awarded the Gold Pyramid in the Technology category for our Hatswork blog.

Last year, Hatswork was a finalist for a Content Marketing Award from the Content Marketing Institute. We’re excited to continue to grow this platform into a must-read resource for the promotional products industry.

Kick Off Meeting

On Wednesday, January 10^th, from 8:00—12:00 we had our annual Kickoff Meeting at Four Points – Sheridan in Bentonville. We started the morning off at 7:15 with an optional free breakfast and began the meeting with special guest introductions.

Each member of our Executive Team spoke on our 2017 accomplishments as well as our goals for 2018. Valerie Hughey was announced as our Q4 Sandy Award recipient, and Mark Kleismit was the overall 2017 Sandy Award Winner.

We also had some laughs as Devin Tuggle and Beau Brosius brought back our Weekend Update skit modeled after Saturday Night Live.

Team Member of the Quarter

Every 3 months, our Distribution Centers (DCs) elect a team member who went above and beyond for his or her teammates and customers.

Winners are chosen based on adherence to safety initiatives, productivity, reliability, attendance, quality of work, and attitude.

The winners receive a gift card, framed certificate, and OC T-shirt, and their own street sign, which gets hung above an aisle in the DC. The 4^th quarter winner for 2017 was Erika Gomez Martinez.

Trade Shows

January is always a huge month for trade shows, especially in the promotional products industry.

Our salesmen and other representatives from OC were at each of the following shows this month:

ASI Orlando
PPAI Expo
ISS Long Beach
ASI Dallas
SHOT Show
Big Rock West
Big Rock East
ATA
ABCA
Mohegan Sun

Founder’s Leadership Award

The Founder’s Leadership Award is a new way to honor OC team members who exemplify our Mission, Vision, and Values. These individuals are driven by a passionate commitment to provide unsurpassed service to customers. Founder’s Leadership Award recipients act with honesty and integrity in both their professional and private lives. They strive to build a well-known, respected personal and corporate brand.

We’re proud to announce Buddy Patterson is the first to receive this prestigious new honor. Please join us in congratulating him!

Employment

With locations in Arkansas, California, and Texas, we currently employ 379 people, but that number is always changing. Check out all of our employment updates for the month including new hires and open positions.

Promotions

We’re always working to help our team members grow in their current positions as well as advance to new roles and take on additional responsibilities. We’re proud to say eight employees received promotions in January.

Danelle Boyster

Danelle joined the OC team in March of 2014 as an HR Generalist. Join us in congratulating her as she transitions to her new role, Manager of Human Resources.

Jeff Easterling

Jeff previously served as a Machine Operator, he has now accepted the role of Lead.

Katrina Friend

Katrina was an Account Lead. She has transitioned to the role of Customer Account Manager.

Joel Gabriele

Joel was our Order Management Pre-Production Supervisor. He has now taken on the position of Manager of Sourcing and Compliance.

Amanda Gilbert

Amanda previously served as an Import Order Specialist; she has now accepted the role of Domestic Order Specialist.

Kara Kelcey

Kara was the Supplier Compliance & Order Management Supervisor. She has now transitioned to the role of Supplier Compliance & License.

Trevor Painter

Trevor was the Production Manager; he has taken on the position of Business Development Manager.

Ritchie Scoggins

Ritchie has been with Outdoor Cap for 10 years. In addition to her current duties, she will now be leading other team members as she takes on the role of Customer Care OC Sports Supervisor.

New Hires

Outdoor Cap is constantly growing, and our team members very quickly become our family. Check out our newest additions for the month of January.

Troy Clemons

Troy has joined the OC team as our new Applications Developer in the IT Department.

Alba Palomino

Join us in welcoming Alba to the OC family as she takes on the role of Domestic Order Specialist on our Custom Sales Team.

Retirement

Buddy Patterson

Buddy has been an important part of the OC family for nearly 30 years. He started with us in August of 1990. After 27 years of dedicated service, relationship building, and sales expertise, Buddy is retiring. We’re so sad to say goodbye, but we’re also incredibly happy for him as he reaches this new milestone in his life and career.

Help us wish him well in his well-deserved trip to Hawaii with his wife!