The KnowZone
Stratosphere Quality Newsletter – Second Edition
Date: September 15, 2022
Second Edition
News & Reminders from the Support Center
Open Enrollment: Save-the Date
Open enrollment for U.S. benefits will run from October 31st to November 18th. We are diligently working to finalize our 2023 benefits options; look for detailed communications in the coming weeks.
As a reminder, open enrollment is the annual window of time that employees have to enroll in or make changes to their benefits for the upcoming calendar year. We want all eligible employees to be aware of the opportunity and allow for plenty of time to review options and get enrolled. To ensure receipt of all communications, we ask employees to verify the accuracy of both email and mailing addresses on file in ADP. Any changes that need to be made can be done via ADP Self-Service.
Retirement Planning in a Turbulent Market
We’ve had an uptick in questions and concerns regarding the market and economic outlook as it relates to 401k accounts. We want to remind employees that we have a fantastic partner, CSi Advisory Services, who can help support and inform you about opportunities and challenges that lie ahead as you make decisions about your savings strategy. They will cover what you can expect regarding policy, stocks and bonds for the rest of 2022 and provide complimentary financial planning and educational resources for the years ahead. If you are interested in CSi’s services, please send an email to benefits@stratospherequality.com and we’ll provide you with our team’s contact information.
Newsletter Naming Contest
Congratulations Brian Brooks on winning the naming contest!
Employee Spotlight: James Stillson
As we launch the new Stratosphere Quality Newsletter we’re thrilled to announce the Employee Spotlight corner. This month we’re highlighting James Stillson, a Site Operations Manager located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
James began as a Project Supervisor in February 2009. Working with Scott Hellman, he was promoted to Project Manager for Columbus, Indiana, in 2011, then transferred to Project Manager of Indianapolis in 2012. He remained in that position until his most recent promotion to SOM in June of this year, reporting to Donald Torrence.
James thrives on continuous growth and enjoys a variety of work every day. He’s pleased with the expansion in Stratosphere Quality’s business and is motivated to see the company’s footprint include not only work in automotive but also the medical field, technical services, and the dramatic increase in non-automotive projects such as large retail stores.
His best advice to new Quality Inspectors? Be flexible; be open to going to different places and learning new work. He attributes his success to keeping an open mind! James’ leadership style is empowerment; he teaches his teams to set up projects correctly, provides oversight on improvements that can be made, and gives regular feedback to his team members on what’s working well. He fosters an environment where more experienced leaders mentor newer leaders.
James has three beautiful daughters who are avid softball players and he keeps busy coaching their teams. Music is also a big part of his life.
James works hard to foster kindness, whether at home or at work, and continues to encourage others to keep an open mind mentality. Thank you, James, for your service with Stratosphere Quality!
10 Year August Anniversaries
- DeAnn Smith, PS, Marysville
- Aaron Fahnestock, QI, Sidney
- Michelle Glenn, AR Specialist,& Accts Rec, Support Center
- Bobbie Adams, TL, Dayton
5 Year August Anniversaries
- Ashley Lee, Site Operations Manager, Honda SC
- Tanya McMullin, PS, Lexington
- James Graue, TL, Indianapolis
- Gloria Ortega, PS, Illinois/Wisconsin
Pets of the Month
We would love to see your pet, send in a picture and description to sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com
Tank
This is Tank! He is 11 months old, and he loves playing fetch, belly rubs, and giving hugs. He isn’t a fan of rain/snow and almost refuses to go outside in those conditions (which is funny because we live in Kansas City). He is a gentle giant that is always attached to my hip.
Pet parent: Amber Cox, Resource Coordinator
Harley
Harley is an 11-year-old boxer mix. She is turning 12 in December (how time flies)! Super rotten and eats only healthy stuff!
Loves: attention, naps, chicken, lots of organic treats, cuddles, slobber kisses, chasing squirrels, sandy beaches, and little people (kids).
Not a fan of cats; and anything that poses threat to her human.
Pet Parent: Mimi Daniels, Field Recruiter
Promotions
Congrats to our employees who were promoted in August!
Role and Department changes in total:
- QI – TL =17
- QI – PS = 2
- TL – PS = 11
- PS – PM = 1
- PS – SOM = 1
- Kenneth (Wayne) Bray (Site Operations Manager)
- Mariah Cabrera (Project Supervisor)
- Matthew Capps (Team Leader)
- Jason Capurro (Project Supervisor)
- Reggie Davis (Team Leader)
- Robert Dean (Project Supervisor)
- Joanna Eddings (Team Leader)
- Cody Ford (Project Supervisor)
- Marcus Gage (Team Leader)
- Jill Goddard (Team Leader)
- Norma Hernandez (Team Leader/translator)
- Illetea Houston (Project Supervisor)
- Zach Kazimier (Customer Service Specialist)
- Heide King (Project Supervisor)
- Henry Leos (Team Leader)
- Bobbi Lowther (Team Leader)
- Brittany Mann (Project Supervisor)
- Danas Martin (Driver)
- Karriana McClure (Project Manager)
- Scot McKenzie (Project Supervisor)
- Achyuth Prasannakumar (Team Leader)
- Dominique Rhodes (Team Leader)
- Jessica Shank (Team Leader)
- Jessica Simpson (Team Leader)
- Brenda St. (Team Leader)
- Chelsea Steinsdoefer (Team Leader)
- Michael Stickney (Project Supervisor)
- Erin Swink (Project Supervisor)
- Neelkumar Takkar (Project Supervisor)
- Trista Taylor (Team Leader)
- Felicia Thompson (Team Leader)
- James Vice (Project Supervisor)
- Alexis Watts (Team Leader)
- Caitlyn Wheeler (Project Supervisor)
Faces of SQ
If you would like to see your team highlighted, send a picture to: sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com
**Please be mindful not to capture any customer names, customer employees, or parts in your pictures.
We are so thankful to our employees who work hard every day for our company.
Kim Johns, Danita Mascaranes, Arshad Hussain, & Susan Self.
The Team at CHEP.
Jonathan Wahl & James Vice.
Contact Us
Have a question or need help? Here are the best ways to contact various departments within Stratosphere Quality.
Human Resources
877-224-8584 *Dial 5
hr@stratospherequality.com
Benefits
877-224-8584 * Dial 4
benefits@stratospherequality.com
Payroll
877-224-8584 *Dial 3
payroll@stratospherequality.com
IT Help Desk
317-288-3116
itrequests@stratospherequality.com
Latest Newsletters
Nationwide project feedback from a customer in North Carolina
“Hey TEAM –
I have been around automotive for a lot of years and handled way more customer complaints than I care to remember. I must say this recent relabel/repack project was one of the most broad and complicated than any I have experienced. You traveled to 11 locations, across 11 states. You made it happen, we met every promise date regardless of the delayed flights, no shows and any other complication. You provide great communication, handled the obstacles as they came up, and did whatever was necessary to make this project a success.
It was very clear that when you arrived at one of the locations, you took ownership. That speaks of the integrity and character of you as individuals. I am extremely pleased to be a part of this team and want to express my appreciation for what you have just accomplished.”
Do you have a good story or example of extraordinary project execution? Received positive customer feedback?
We want to hear from you! Send those examples to: sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com
