Con-way Inc. announced that it has honored six employees with its highest recognition, the CEO Constellation Award. Winners were selected from across the enterprise on the basis of performance, leadership and embodiment of the company’s core values of safety, integrity, commitment and excellence.
“Recognizing and rewarding excellence in our employees, and their demonstration of our values, is the foundation of a culture that makes Con-way unique,” says Douglas W. Stotlar, chief executive officer of Con-way, based in San Mateo, Calif. “These six dedicated employees, selected from all areas of our company, truly exemplify those values. They were nominated by their peers and, through their actions, have clearly earned the respect of their colleagues and employees throughout the organization.”
The CEO Constellation Awards represent the highest level of Con-way’s multitiered employee recognition program, which begins with the peer-nominated Quarterly Leader Awards (QLA). This year, more than 1,000 QLA winners were narrowed to 23 President’s Award winners, from which the company’s Enterprise Values Task Force selected 10 Constellation Award finalists. From that group, Stotlar and each of Con-way’s three business unit presidents chose the six winners.
Con-way’s 2009 CEO Constellation Award winners are:
David Alban, service center manager, Con-way Freight, Des Moines, Iowa: Nominated by many of his employees for the Quarterly Leader Award, Alban was singled out for encouraging teamwork, creating a positive environment and maintaining a commitment to customer satisfaction. Credited with being fair and honest, he is also known for inspiring his team to “go that extra mile.” Alban has been with Con-way for 11 years and has held his current position for one year.
Mike Considine, freight operations supervisor, Con-way Freight, Aurora, Ill.: Known as a respected, positive and motivating force at his workplace, Considine also is noted for proactively addressing issues and promoting a commitment to service excellence. After developing expert knowledge of his service center’s IT platform, he also helped other freight operations supervisors learn the system to maximize its benefits and to take advantage of best practices. Considine has been a freight operations supervisor with the company for 20 years.
Gary Gray, driver sales representative, Con-way Freight, Redding, Calif.: Described as reliable, trustworthy and team-oriented, Gray also maintains a focus on safety. He has driven more than 500,000 accident-free miles for Con-way Freight and regularly helps other drivers improve their skills. Gray is credited with regularly going above and beyond his usual duties to provide exceptional service to customers. He has been a company driver sales representative for eight years.
Jeanine “Jeanie” Melrose, logistics manager II, Menlo Worldwide Logistics, Auburn Hills, Mich.: Melrose is well-known for her superior mentoring skills and commitment to recognizing and encouraging others. Called “firm but always fair,” she shows knowledge and understanding while consistently demonstrating the behavior she expects from her team. During a recent major project, Melrose worked 14-hour days as well as nights and weekends for three weeks to ensure that employees had the necessary support to complete their tasks. Melrose has worked for Menlo for five years.
Sue Rataczak, director of accounting, Con-way Truckload, Joplin, Mo.: Rataczak has worked in a variety of roles including manager of payroll, where she was noted for treating employees as her customers and ensuring that paychecks were timely and accurate. Later, as leader of the finance and accounting team charged with integrating the newly acquired Con-way Truckload (formerly CFI) into the Con-way system, she often worked long hours to make sure all deadlines were met. Colleagues note that she has earned the respect of employees at all levels of the company. Rataczak has been with Con-way Truckload for 28 years.
Doyce Winberry, business systems manager, Road Systems Inc. (RSI), Searcy, Ark.: Those who nominated Winberry praised his leadership qualities, including strong ethics and dedication to customer service. Respected by employees at RSI and across the enterprise, he is known for pitching in during busy times at the shop. A champion of Con-way’s culture program, Winberry frequently finds innovative ways to communicate its messages. He also worked to develop and establish RSI’s constitution. Winberry has worked for RSI for 10 years.