The newsletter for Watco
Safety Anniversaries
December 5 – Seadrift Industrial Rail (TX) – 2 years
December 12 – Elizabeth MTS Dedicated Terminal (NJ) – 2 years
December 13 – Great Northwest Railroad (ID, WA) – 1 year
December 17 – Greens Port Docks - 14 years
December 17 – Greens Port Real Estate - 14 years
December 20 – Guntersville (AL) – 8 years
December 22 – Ferndale Dedicated Terminal (WA) – 2 years
December 23 – Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (IL, IN) – 2 years
December 26 – Swan Ranch Railroad (WY) – 13 years
December 30 – Coffeyville Maintenance & Repair Terminal (KS) – 4 years
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Embracing Our 2025 Focus: Win the Day
Hello Watco Team,
As we move into 2025, I want to introduce our focus for the year: Win the Day. This focus is more than just a slogan; it’s a mindset that I want us to have in everything we do.
Win the Day is about making the most of each day, focusing on what we can control, and striving for excellence in every task, big or small. It means approaching work with a commitment to doing our best and striving to get better each day. Each day is an opportunity to make progress, learn something new, and contribute to our collective success.
Win the Day is not just about our individual efforts. It’s also about how we take care of one another. At Watco, we’re a team, and our success depends on our ability to support each other and our customers.
Of course, winning the day means operating safely. You Win the Day when you go home from work in the same way you came. And whenever you see a near miss and put forth ideas to make your work area safer, that’s winning. What about winning the day for customers? If you keep each other safe and aim for excellence – listening to customers’ needs and providing world-class service – you’re going to finish in front.
I’m asking each of you to think about how you can Win the Day in your own role. What small steps can you take each day to move closer to your goals? How can you support your teammates, our customers, and contribute to our shared success?
I am confident that with this focus we will achieve great things in 2025. Let’s make this year our best yet by committing to Win the Day every day.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead.
Dan Smith Watco CEO
New Monthly Safety Rewards Program Starts
The hazards Watco team members face don’t take days off, so neither should our safety programs.
For years, Watco has used the Winter FREEZE (Following Rules Everyday Ensure Zero Errors) and Beat the Heat programs to incentivize team members to report safety suggestions and near misses. There highlight weather-related safety concerns, but out team faces other safety hazards year-round.
Starting this month, the Watco Safety team is offering monthly rewards to one team member in each division for the best safety suggestion or near-miss report. Team members can report their
findings to their local managers, who will enter them into our safety tracking system. Each month, safety leaders will review all the submissions and pick winners. Each team member selected can choose any item from the Watco Gear store and/or a pair of Pit Viper or Heat Wave safety glasses.
“We’re looking forward to changing how we reward our team members,” said Brent Shields, SVP of environmental health & safety. “We can still focus on seasonal hazards during programs like Winter FREEZE, while recognizing and rewarding the value that our team members bring throughout the year.”
Resources to Help You Keep Your Resolutions in 2025
Now is the perfect time to commit to healthy habits. Whether it’s weight loss, improving your mental health, making better financial decisions, or something else, Watco has many resources to help you achieve your goals in 2025.
Weight Loss
Shed pounds with help from My Health Novel’s weight management program. Offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, this online program is available to all those enrolled in a Watco health plan. Participants are matched with a plan that best fits their needs, which includes health coaching and a chance to receive a free scale and Fitbit.
Additionally, select Planet Fitness locations offer team members a discount on gym memberships. Not sure where to start? Fitness and health assessments are available for all team members and their dependents ages 18 or older on Lucet, Watco’s Team Member Assistance Program (TMAP). When prompted, enter company code “Watco.”
Mental Health
All team members and their family members can talk to a counselor virtually, between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, on First Stop Health. Connect with a licensed counselor on the First Stop Health website, app, or by calling (888) 691-7867.
Watco’s TMAP offers all team members and their dependents up to eight free in-person or virtual counseling sessions a year. For those enrolled in a Watco health plan, My Health Novel also provides an online wellness program dedicated to improving overall mental health and lowering stress. Log in to Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s My Health Toolkit to learn more.
Financial
Team members have the option to schedule a free 30-minute financial consultation with Watco’s TMAP. Webinars and resources on how to budget, pay down debt, plan for retirement, and more are also available on this site.
Remember, you can enroll or adjust your contributions to Watco’s 401(k) plan at any time. Use the Start Right app or sign in to the BOK Financial website.
Quit Tobacco
Team members and their family members enrolled in a Watco health plan have access to Quit for Life. This free resource offers coaching and a customized plan to help you stop smoking. Gum and patches are also available, based on eligibility.
Operator Goes by the Book for Safety’s Sake
Isaias Diaz, an operator at Watco Greens Port, recently did something by the book that caught a safety person’s attention.
Diaz was in a staging area driving a reach stacker, preparing to hoist a shipping container onto a type of flatbed trailer used for rolling large cargo onto a ship. As he lifted the container, he noticed the driver seated in the yard mule attached to the trailer.
An occupied vehicle in this scenario is against Watco’s written standard operating procedure (SOP) for Truck Loading-Unloading when it comes to containers. The procedure states that the operator should maintain eye contact with the driver and
verify that the driver is out of the vehicle to ensure that the immediate work area is clear.
That’s exactly what Safety Specialist Ernest Johnson observed: He saw Diaz stop what he was doing until the mule driver exited the cab so that Diaz could load the container onto the trailer.
“We require the driver to exit the mule with these loads due to the possibility of the trailer and mule rolling over if the load is not placed in the center,” says Brent Shields, senior vice president of environmental, health, and safety. “We’re glad Isaias was looking out for that driver.”
Recognizing Five Difference-Makers
Starting the New Year by Recognizing These Difference-Makers
Join us in congratulating Watco’s newest Be the Difference award winners Jessica Swafford, Steve Potts, Lester LaCaze, Ismael Mondragon, and Transito Pedraza. Each recipient will receive a $250 cash prize for their outstanding efforts.
Watco EVP and Chief Business Officer Rachael Peterson said, “Our latest award winners are selfless, positive, and humble. They embody many of the qualities that help make Watco the very best team in the industry. To this quarter’s award recipients, thank you for doing what matters.”
One Watco Award - Given to an individual or group of team members whose teamwork generates an exceptional result for Watco or a customer.
Credit and collections work can be challenging. Team members Jessica Swafford and Steve Potts recently joined forces to develop a process that helps resolve late or missed payments. Their team now emulates their approach and is getting positive results.
Keep reading to learn how they made a difference.
Extra Mile Award - Given to an individual or a group of team members who go above and beyond the call of duty at work or in the community.
Some people seem to thrive on making others’ lives easier. Team members at the Phoenix Transload Terminal consider Operator Lester LaCaze to be one of these people. He’s knowledgeable, organized, and always goes out of his way to help.
Read the rest of his story.
Safe Performance Award - Given to an individual or group of team members who take action to ensure safety for fellow team members, customers, suppliers, property, or community.
Trust your instincts. That’s what Ismael Mondragon recently did when he halted operations after hearing a strange noise coming from a railcar. His teammate Transito Pedraza stopped the train, and together they discovered the problem and came up with a temporary solution.
Find out what happened next.
Ismael Mondragon and Transito Pedraza Austin Western Railroad Austin (TX)
Lester LaCaze Phoenix Transload Terminal Phoenix (AZ)
Jessica Swafford and Steve Potts
Watco Credit and Collections Pittsburg (KS)
North Pole Meets Pittsburg
One morning, two train rides, three residents of the North Pole, and 500 smiles. Pittsburg, Kansas, area first graders joined Watco and the South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad on December 9 for the annual Watco Christmas Express. Students from eight schools were invited for the short train excursion. The students got their custom train tickets punched by Heart of the Heartlands Train Club members and enjoyed Christmas cookies while they met Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf.
Watco Shares New Opportunity for Helping Team Members
Starting this month, Watco team members have a new opportunity to help one another. The company is offering a series of limited-edition Watco-branded items to benefit the Team Member Emergency Fund. Featured merchandise will be introduced each quarter.
“Watco has always had an emergency fund,” said EVP and Chief Business Officer Rachael Peterson.
“But now, with this new funding avenue, we’ve made it easier for team members to contribute in an ongoing way.”
SVP of People Services Chris Spear said that people often reach out to ask how they can help team members financially, especially after a natural disaster. “They like to feel like they’re part of the
solution when there’s a personal tragedy or natural disaster. Now, team members have an outlet to directly help one another.”
In keeping with the unifying nature of the fund, the first exclusive items for raising support feature a One Watco design on a variety of apparel. All proceeds will go to the fund.
One Watco apparel is available for pre-order now through midnight January 22 on watcogear.com Allow three to four weeks for delivery. Watch The Dispatch and Watco Vision for new, limited-edition products announced each quarter.
Do you have a merchandise idea for this cause? Let us know at marketing@watco.com
New Arrivals
Theodore Francis Leonards Griego
Adam Griego and Anna Morgan Leonards announce the birth of their son, Theodore Francis Leonards Griego, born on November 18, 2024. Theodore weighed 9 pounds and was 21 inches long. Grandpa Paul Leonards is vice president of construction and field management for the Project Management team.
Dawsyn Creed Welch
Zakyia and Shaylyn Welch announce the birth of their son, Dawsyn Creed Welch, born on November 21, 2024. Dawsyn weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 21 inches long. Zakyia is a truck driver at the Nitro Transload Terminal in West Virginia.
New Arrivals
Callum James Ulin
Richard and Bethan Ulin announce the birth of their son, Callum James Ulin, born on October 17, 2024. Callum weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20 inches long. Richard is an IT project manager in Overland Park, Kansas.
Jakob Robert Gormley Jr.
Maree Hernandez and Jakob Gormley announce the birth of their son, Jakob Robert Gormley Jr., born on November 26, 2024. Jakob weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. His arrival was welcomed by his brother OakLee, 1. Jakob is the grandson of Safety Manager Michael Hernandez and his wife, Elisa. Michael is based out of Houston, Texas.
Team Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to the following team members celebrating January anniversaries:
1 Year:
Vincent Anderson, Richard Barclay, Troy Barker, Robert Bennett, William Caldwell, Gavin Carroll, Zakari Chapman, Grayson Coleman, Andrew Cook, Matthew Cousino, William Dancy, Antonio Diaz, Christopher Dotson, Clayton Dougherty, Freddy Gardenhire, Mason Hale-Calladitto, Dequain Harvey, Quentin Johnson, Zohaib Khan, Seth Kohman, Kari Kone, Brittany Lang, Kimberly Lawson, Seth Lockwood, Timothy Lukach, Erick Marquez, Colton Mulvale, Yanneth Oliva, Fabian Peoples, Brandon Perkins, Joshua Pike, Tesla Pope, Elijah Reaves, Kewan Reynolds-Denny, Fernando Robinson, JaVarius Robinson, Bryson Roy, Leon Russell, EL Ryan, Jordan Simington, Benjamin Smith, Joseph Smith, Preston Smith-Knapton, Felisha Stephenson, Marvin Streeter, Marcus Torry, Kendrell Triggs, Braxton Vega, Candice Walker, Kalen Wandix
2 Years:
Kameron Anderson, Amos Archer, Lisa Aucoin, John Beazley, Danny Bosquez, Chad Brinker, Joshua Brown, Christopher Cafiero, Raul Carbajal, Patrick Christy, Gunnar Davis, Anthony DeGood, Jacob Dellasega, Jeffrey Dicorpo, Jeremiah Dodd, Miguel Dominguez, Noah Downs, Tyler Dzierzek, Darrell Espinoza, Todd Fisher, Ricardo Fuentes, Margarito Garcia, Odalis Garcia Corrales, Antonio Gonzalez, Ryan Graciano, Mason Hair, Jacob Hamilton, John Howsden, Nathaniel Kelly,
Shane Kessel, Arturo Ledezma, Michael Leftwich, Jaime Lepez, Jason Lessard, James McCree, Bruce Mcfadden, Garrett Medlin, Ashley Miller, Herman Miller, Miguel Molina, Robert Motley, Phillip Moxley, Juan Munguia, Monique Murphy, Eric Negrete, Keaton Nichols, Nicholas Ochman, Luke O’Dwyer, Martin Page, Colin Pell, Jesus Quintero, Hayden Rake, Thomas Rhame, Craig Robbins, Jacory Robinson, Andrew Ronquillo, Stephen Rowe, Halston Ryan, Jose Saavedra Jr, Joseph Salvator, Tessa Shaw, Dantrell Romont Smith, Jason Sosa, Tyler Stapleton, Kelvin Taper, Bryan Turner, Christopher Viles, Luis Villafan, Casey Westwood, Emily Wieczorek, Jason Wilbanks, Bradley Wofford, Terry Woodley
3 Years:
Paul Anderson, Dwain Arview, Joshua Becker, Brian Blackburn, Daniel Brisbane, Alex Brown, Noah Burgess, James Carpenter, Delina-Rae Christoffersen, Dusten Coleman, Cory Collins, Scott Commins, Calvin Coutee, Pablo Cruz, Melisa Douglas, Trevor Drake, Luke Elliott, Marc Galindo, George Garrity, Ethan Goodger, Leo Harron, Mark Hazelton, Philip Hensley, Fatima Hernandez, Gonzalo Ibarra, Steven Jolganovski, Raymond Jones, Eric Kapusta, Benjamin Krkovski, Travis Kroker, Stephen Kronenburg, David Lumpkins, Robert Luster, Barry Morrison, Artavius Moses, Adrian Nettlefold, Alejandro Pena, Karim Perez, Sean Philbrick, David Piccirillo, Nick Pillow, Clayton
Prewitt, Natalie Roberts, Rene Rodriguez, Glenn Ryan, Zachary Shiever, Trevor Sparkes, Aubrey Strange, Anthony Whipple, Alex Wied, Brandy Williams, Larry Williams, Scott Woods, Scott Woods, Paul Wright
4 Years:
Brandon Carver, James Cowling, Chad Cumberland, Victor Figueroa, Kevin Hickerson, Calvin Holmes, Cory Holmes, Philip Huttmann, Jerry Jirasek, James Mahoney, Aaron Patterson, Mathew Pirihi, Raymond Plain, Samuel Sedillo
5 Years:
Jamie Babetch, Francisco Bassols, Matthew Beard, Dereck Brown, Jeffery Cornett, Thomas Fenton, Kyle Forsman, Stephen Fulton, Andrew Hanretty, Wendell Held, Gary Li, Melissa Mansfield, Charles Polach, Humberto Rojas Zuniga, Dustin Sellars, Todd Stimpson, Kelly Stringer, Andre Wheaton, Zest Wilson
6 Years:
Deante Converse, Norman Dishman, Brandon Douglas, Michael Foyle, Curtis Frazier, Dani Gosch, Kayla Jensen, Russell Johnston, Devin Jurs, Dan Peak, Michael Schwartz, Sami Taha, John Thomas, Joe Torres III, Menno Valkenborg, Kevin Vanhoozer, Kevin Webb
7 Years:
Jonathan Audsley, Jamaar Benton, Mark Bonar, DeAnne
Team Member Anniversaries
Burdick, Jose Cardoza, Gabriel Chavez, Julio Diaz, Andrew Dill, Anthony Escobar, Sam Gardiner, Nolan George, Jody Hyndshaw, Marissa Jordan, Carl Joseph, James Nettleton, Scottie Shafer, Jaime Velasco
8 Years:
Brenton Andrew, Derek Batterton, Justin Cole, Cooper Cose, Stephen Dominguez, Tremayne Duncan, Troy Frank, Johnny Garza, Matthew Gordon, Esteban Hernandez, Christopher Hunley, Isaac Jaramillo, Shawna Mateo, Laura McNichol, James Riggs, J Bonifacio Vieyra
9 Years:
Michael Aleknewicus, Joshua Breth, William Ethridge, Sue King, Justin Marr, Lance McHan, Adam Pope, Daniel Roth, Richard Wampler, Ryan Yanez
10 Years:
Melissa Amaya, Mike Berry, Nathaniel Burke, Daniel Coiner, Corey Crutchfield, Edis Cruz, Jorge Dela Torre, Archie Fields, Patrick Forbes, David Fugge, Brittany Hodge, Jesus Ibarra, Amy Iori, Keith Lacaze, Jordan Vasquez, Solomon Watkins, Marcus Wiley
11 Years:
Luther Boothe, Nick Coomes, Richardjames Drummondo, Amanda Haggerty, Laura McKinney, Juan Moreno, Jessica Nielson, Brad Peot, Eric Rahmaan, Perry Thomas, Jonathan Thompson
12 Years:
Michael Barajas, Robert Campbell, Gregory Ferguson, Travis Luinstra, Kevin Martin, Ronald Seevers, Tina Swallow, Cyle Windsor
13 Years:
Peter Black, Christopher Ellis, Justin Haisch, Dean Harris, Danelle Kenny, Russell Koczur, Curtis Nobis
14 Years:
Daniel Caine, Jesse Garrett, Kevin Grant, Daniel Harkness, Miranda Kichler, Steve Rodriguez, Todd Vaughan
15 Years:
Eric Bowlin, Rolando Cantero, Seth Morris, Angel Vazquez
16 Years:
James Carter, Joe Martinez, Servando Mendez
17 Years:
John King, Charles Lambert, Jonathan Mihalic, Robert Ward
18 Years:
Melissa Faughn, Kevin Gonzales, Jason Green, Jean Guerrier, Steve Iseli, Herman Lewis, Frank Nichols
19 Years:
Thomas Addison, Derek Brown, Johnny Fields, Michael Gray, Robert Gray, Anthony Kirkland
20 Years:
Matt Heeren, Santos Polanco, Timothy Watson
21 Years: Gary Griswold
22 Years: Patrick Peabody
23 Years: Michael McGee, Leon Odom
24 Years: Kenneth Parkin
27 Years: Melvin Davis
29 Years: Billy Gathright
30 Years: Shannon Knisley
33 Years: Michael Beatty, John Pond
35 Years: William Gast
