July/August 2011 • Volume 4, Edition IV
A Birthday Celebration at SunSouth Blakely! One of SunSouth Blakely’s most faithful customers, Nathan Floyd, celebrated his 4th birthday at the Blakely store! His parents bring him to the store very often, and they decided that it would be the perfect place to hold his birthday party! The children played “pin the tire on a tractor”, ate a John Deere Tractor Cake (complete with round baler on the back!) and were even able to sit in a tractor! From what we hear they all had a great time!! Happy Birthday Nathan!
In This Issue Birthdays ........................................2 Your 401(k) Plan ..............................2 New Hires ........................................2 Guess Who ......................................2 Birth Announcements......................3 Ward Volunteers Time......................3 Congratulations Graduates ..............3 Graduates (Cont.) ............................4
Employee of the Month
Lisa Whitman Congratulations to Shirlie Ellis on His Retirement Shirlie Ellis retired from SunSouth Brundidge on May 20, 2011. He started work with Henry Farm Center on September 27, 1997 and worked with SunSouth after the merge until he retired. He was honored on that day with a luncheon that was attended by his family and fellow employees. He will truly be missed by his fellow employees!
Congratulations to SunSouth’s JulyAugust employee of the month, Lisa Whitman! Lisa is the Administrative Assistant at our Auburn store and has been employed with us for over 7 years! Lisa is an asset to the Auburn Location with her extensive knowledge in almost every department. She sets a wonderful example for all her fellow employees and even employees from other locations! She is always willing to help out with store events, and does a remarkable job planning them as well!! Thank you Lisa for your continued dedication to SunSouth!
July & August Birthdays
Your 401(k) Plan: Always Max the Match!
William K. Woodham Shan Kizziah Terrell E. Maxey Steven Ray Blanchette Sr. Spurgeon B. Hodges William Brock Bracewell Cody Allen Mathis Larry E. Evans Robert L. Suggs Daniel Robert Sauls Kenneth Singleton Raymond A. Ellis William N. Robertson Kevin R. Adamson Randy D. Baker Michelle Lynn Dugard Richard Nelson James H. Owens Russ Kyle Worsley Robert Roland Christopher M. Robinson Michael Chester Sammons C. Earl Anderson Michael S. Hazelip Kris Spivey Larry Smith Mitch Carter James Edward Martin Terry E. Barnes James G. Windham Jr. Chance P. Ellison Nathan R. Jordan William Orr Michael Headley Paul Hoggle Larry Wallace Michael Perez Gerald Thomas Beach Drew Shirley David R. Vines John H. Brannon Kimberly W. Walker
A variety of factors will help determine how much money you will have saved when you retire. Enrolling early, maintaining a diversified portfolio, and periodically re allocating your funds will help make the most of your retirement savings. One of the most important factors, however, is the company match. Some companies make matching employer contributions to their 401(k) plans. Typically, an employer match is a percentage of what you contribute to the plan up to a maximum amount – for example, 50 cents for every dollar up to 6 percent of your salary. Employers provide this as an incentive to you to save for retirement. This is like a considerable bonus, and it’s valuable because matching contributions (and any investment earnings on them) are tax deferred within your 401(k) plan. How much of a benefit is a 401(k) match? It’s bigger and better than you think. Fifty cents for every dollar you contribute may sound like spare change, but over the years it really adds up. Then factor in that you may receive investment returns on the money you’ve invested and the money your company has added. Even if you can’t contribute the maximum amount permitted by the plan, commit yourself to contributing at least the maximum company match. It doesn’t matter if your company’s match is a generous $1 for $1 contribution or just a few pennies. A company match is a risk free addition to your savings that requires no work and is tax deferred. If a bank was willing to deposit money into your account based on how much you deposited, what would you do? In other words, this is free money from your employer, so don’t pass it up!
By Catherine Walding and Anthony McCallister Retirement Plan Services – CapSouth Partners
CapSouth Partners an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. CapSouth Partners does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have or legal consequences.
Let’s Welcome the New Employees to the SunSouth Family! Auburn James Edward Martin
Blakely Dale Wesley Powell
Demopolis Gerald Thomas Beach
Auburn Lindsay Wilkinson
Clanton Justin Duane Godwin
Demopolis Gregory Allan Kish
Blakely Kevin Brock Harrell
Clanton David Thomas Hargove
Montgomery Toni Tennison Stever
Can You Guess Who?
Find out in the next edition of the SunSouth Connections. Answer from last edition: Allen Wise
Birth Annoucements It’s a Girl! Laken Olivia-Ryan Hodges Congratulations to Lauren White and Ryan Hodges on the birth of their beautiful daughter Laken Olivia-Ryan Hodges. Laken was born on May 3rd weighing 8lbs and 1 oz. Lauren is the daughter of Mrs. Kimberly Thompson, Admin at the Tuscaloosa Location. SunSouth wishes them all the best!!
It’s a Boy! Jaxston Tucker Kizziah Shan & Renee Kizziah, and 2 year old Big Brother Kade, welcomed a new baby into their family on May 15th at 1:19 p.m. Jaxston Tucker Kizziah weighed 8lbs and 2 oz and was 20 inches long. Shan has worked at our Dothan Parts Department a little over a year.
Employee’s Daughter Volunteers Time to Assist Tornado Victims UAB nursing student Alyssa Jordan Ward, daughter of Todd Ward of SunSouth Abbeville, volunteered at Scott Elementary School in Pratt City sorting donated items for victims of the April 27th tornados. She is a member of the UAB Cares volunteer group that partnered with Hands on Birmingham. Thank you Alyssa for volunteering your time to help! Your father, and all of SunSouth are very proud of you!!
Congratulations Graduates! Congratulations to Jacob Kleinschnitz, son of Dave and Michele Kleinschnitz, on his recent graduation from Northview High School in Dothan, AL. For Jacob it was not just an ordinary graduation though. He was awarded the Sony Star Class Scholarship given by the Sony Corporation in Dothan. This scholarship has a $10,000.00 cash value and the recipent receives a Sony VAIO laptop computer. To receive this scholarship, Jacob competed in a three year contest with the competition being narrowed down from 300 students to one elite group of 20 students. The scholarship is based on three criteria: scholastic achievement and goals, school and community involvement, and good citizenship. The scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest combined portfolio and interview scores from former Sony Executives and community leaders. Outside of his high grade point average, Jacob believes his winning had a lot to do with the quality of the community involvement portion of his challenges. His last and largest project was the complete restoration of a forgotten graveyard here in Dothan. The graveyard was completely grown over with trees and shrubs growing up through the gravestones. Jacob cleared the graveyard with a hand saw, cleaned the headstones and left flowers where he could. Jacob’s future plans include attending Wallace Community College for his first 2 years then transferring to Auburn University for an additional 4 years to earn his masters in Mechanical Engineering. One week after the award from Sony, the news of Jacob’s plans made their way to the leaders at Wallace Community College. Jacob was then offered a 2 year scholarship from Wallace Community College. Congrats again Jacob!
Continued on Page 4
Congratulations Graduates Congratulations to Hayden Victoria Ellis on her graduation! Hayden graduated from Zion Chapel High School on May 26, 2011. Her parents are Allen Twyler Ellis. Allen is a technician at SunSouth Brundidge.
Kolten Gregory Walker graduated from G.W. Long High School, Skipperville, AL on May 20. Kolten is the son of Kim Walker, Support Center. Congratualtions Kolten, we are all very proud of you!!
Congratulations to Amber Nicole Brackin who recently graduated from Rehobeth High School. Amber is the daughter of Patti, who works at the Support Center, and Paul Brackin. Amber was a member of the Rehobeth High School Colorguard, FBLA, Key Club, Junior Civitan, and was on the Youth Council. Amber plans to attend Wallace College in the future. Congratulations again Amber, your parents, and everyone at SunSouth is very proud of you!
A Special Congratulations to One of Our Very Own Employees, Stevie Blanchette! Stevie Blanchette the son of Steve & Shelly Blanchette graduated from Marianna High School with honors. He was 12th in his class of 158 with a GPA of 4.37 (weighted) and 3.77 (unweighted). Stevie played soccer & drums in the band all four years. He played baseball his 9th & 10th grades. He dropped baseball to dual enroll at Chipola college his Junior & Senior years. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He will be receiving a Bright Futures Scholarship to continue his education at Chipola College to earn an AA degree. He will then pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree. Steve has been employed with SunSouth Dothan for approximately 7 months.