In February, 15 Fifth Gear team members were recipients of the company’s Annual GEARY Awards in recognition of individual commitment to the company core values: client success, integrity, teamwork, quality and commitment.
Five annual winners, along with 10 finalists, were personally recognized and congratulated by members of the company’s executive leadership team with the presentation of formal awards, certificates, prize packages, and remarks shared with their department peers.
In addition, each Fifth Gear location held a celebratory gathering to honor the award recipients. Luncheons were provided by the company for the entire workforce as a thank you to every employee for their role in living the company’s core values.
“The GEARY Awards give us a chance to celebrate the positive impact our team members have on our company’s success in all areas of our business,” commented Fifth Gear President Matt Konkle. “With over 500 employees in four locations, having a means of publicly recognizing individuals for their hard work while motivating others is important. The fact that the awards are centered around our core values really brings everything we do full circle.”
Fifth Gear’s “GEARY” is a personal achievement award based on employee nominations. Team members are recognized in each category on a quarterly basis throughout the year, with annual winners selected each January for their contributions during the previous year.
Every nominee receives a keepsake coin and a printed copy of their nomination(s). The 2012 Fifth Gear Annual GEARY Award recipients are:
Client success — winner, Scott Ashburn, Indianapolis, Ind.; finalists, Laura Artale, Indianapolis, Ind. and Katlyn Borrowman, Louisiana;
Teamwork — winner, Bethany Weatherford, Indianapolis, Ind.; Finalists Lynne Adams Louisiana, and Martin Everardo, Louisiana;
Integrity — winner, Michelle Niedner Louisiana; finalists, Trish Lehman Hazle Township, Pa., and James Rardon Louisiana;
Quality — Janet Griffith Louisiana; finalists, Ruth John, Moberly and Bryan Povlinski Indianapolis, Ind.;
Commitment — Tim Harrison, Louisiana, finalists, Michael Elliott Sr., Louisiana, and Margaret Jennings Louisiana.
Annual winners shared their reactions and comments:
Scott Ashburn, technology services implementation lead in the Indianapolis office and winner for Client Success says, “Many co-workers have told me ‘good job’ and ‘congratulations’ which then led to a couple of discussions about how we appreciate each other’s attitude and hard work, independently of GEARY awards, so perhaps encouragement is contagious. Winning this award is humbling. It makes me try to become and live up to be the person that others see me as within their nominations.”
“The honor of having been chosen is tremendous. It is so much more than a trophy or prize,” commented Integrity award recipient Michelle Niedner, quality assurance supervisor for the company’s contact centers. “It’s the feeling of being valued that means so much.”
Quality winner Janet Griffith is the personalization supervisor for one of Fifth Gear’s embroidery/engraving centers. She explained, “I feel the GEARY award program is a wonderful way to recognize those within the company for their accomplishments and for their upholding the core values of the company. To be chosen from so many other employees is very humbling. I want to thank everyone for their kind words and the vote of confidence they have placed in me. It meant more than words can say.”
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