November 7^th to November 23^rd

Open enrollment for U.S. benefits is just around the corner!  This is your annual opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your benefit selections for the upcoming calendar year.

We will be making carrier changes on several benefit plans heading into 2023.  Because of these changes, participation in open enrollment will be mandatory for those wanting to continue or elect coverage next year.  Look for postcards to be mailed out the week of October 17^th with instructions on accessing 2023 benefits information and how/when to complete your enrollment.  While open enrollment will be open for three full weeks, we will follow an enrollment schedule (based on the state you live in) to help manage enrollment traffic going into the service center.  Look for that schedule with your 2023 benefits information.

In the meantime, we encourage employees to verify the accuracy of both email and mailing addresses on file in ADP.  This will ensure receipt of all communication, insurance ID cards, and other plan information.  Any changes that need to be made can be done via ADP Self-Service.

Please make sure our Quality Inspectors and others that may not receive email announcements are aware that SQ’s monthly newsletter, The Know Zone, and other company information is accessible 24/7 via the SQ Employee Dashboard on SQ’s website.

Questions regarding employee benefits are welcomed at benefits@stratospherequality.com.

We’re very happy to share Kristen LaGorio’s Stratosphere story in the Employee Spotlight October issue.  Kristen is currently the Operations Manager at Chrysler Detroit.

Kristen began as a Program Analyst in April 2011, brought on board by her ‘awesome VP’ Jeremy Burke.  In this position, Kristen was responsible for tracking purchase orders, customer reports and time and attendance entry.  Previous to working for Stratosphere Quality, Kristen held a position as a scheduler.  Her manager, Jeremy Burke, quickly recognized her bright spirit, amazing ability to identify and solve problems, and positive adaptability to the Stratosphere way.  With these qualities, Kristen was promoted to Operations Manager in January 2016, reporting to Jeremy.

As Operations Manager, Kristen works diligently to identify new business opportunities in the territory and build relationships with potential and existing customers.  She recognizes that she thrives in a fast-paced and changing environment, making SQ a good fit.  Kristen has evolved into our resident subject matter expert in 3CPR and has become an integral part in making policy improvements to the program and sustaining/expanding our presence as a preferred provider for Stellantis.

Her key to a successful team?  Fostering mutual respect and working together as a team are Kristen’s milestones for high achievement.  Outside of work Kristen values time with her family, as well as camping, swimming, canning and cooking.

Her best piece of advice to any new QI at Stratosphere?

Don’t be overwhelmed!  She shares that if you are show up to work and are ready to learn, the more comfortable you become with the work.  When you have that learning mindset, there’s a lot of opportunity for growth at SQ.

If you could fix a world problem, what would that be?

Kristen says she has a soft spot for kids and pets.  She’d work toward eliminating any suffering of the vulnerable – particularly children.  She said as children are our future, it’s our responsibility to guide them, teach them and treat them well.

Thank you, Kristen!  We appreciate all you do.

The picnic was great.  The staff that was able to come had a good time.  It was heart warming to see everyone in person and get to put a name with the faces of SQ members we haven’t met yet but have heard on our Teams call. Our OM, Roosevelt Bradford BBQ’d for everyone with a pull behind HUGE smoker/bbq.

It was also nice to see everyone laughing and having a good time.  To put in short paragraph,  we are all like family here.  We support each other from south to north.  We spend a lot of time with each other, so it was nice to see each other outside of the workplace.  Like a big family picnic. We played cornhole, the children played, and all of us talked and joked and ate A LOT of food.    Its definitely something we will do every year.

–Danita Mascarenas