February 2013 Volume 4, Issue 5 Employee of the Month - Melody Witherspoon Randy Arceneaux / President and CEO presents the “Employee of the Month” award to Melody Witherspoon. February’s Employee of the Month is Melody Witherspoon from Farmer’s Veg-Pak. Melody works under the direction of Rick Scroggins. Rick tells us that Melody is meticulous and her work ethic is superior. The retail The Affiliated Family News customers are her priority and he knows every day is a productive day when Melody is involved. Melody will complete 2 years of service in April of this year. PLEASE SEE EMPLOYEE ON PAGE 6 1 In the News AFI Introduces Janie Wagner Please meet Janie Wagner Accounting Manager for PTG (Panhandle Transportation Group). Janie began her profes- sional career working for Herring Bank as a Bank Management Intern during college and moved to the Operations Specialist position upon graduation. She was employed with Roberts Truck Center as Business Manager for the New Mexico locations and worked for the Vega Independent School District as Chief Financial Officer. She grew up outside of Vega, TX with an agricultural background. Growing up Janie was actively involved in all facets of the 4-H program which included raising livestock and exhibiting them in livestock shows. She graduated from West Texas A&M University where she studied Agribusiness and double majored in accounting. She was actively involved in multiple organizations in college, including collegiate 4-H, FFA, Block & Bridle, and Student Government. She now resides in Vega and enjoys being close to her family and living in a friendly small community. Janie likes to run and participates in local runs for charities. Other hobbies include restoring hot rods, music and en- joying family and friends. When we asked Janie how she likes it here at AFI/PTG she stated: “I am very excited to be a member of the AFI/PTG Family and cannot wait for the opportunities that await me!” We welcome Janie on board and wish her many years of success with our company… The Affiliated Family News Photo courtesy of Dale Thompson / New Accounts One-Person Brainstorming Try One-Person Brainstorming Many people claim their best ideas and solutions to problems come to them out of the blue—while taking a shower, taking a walk around the block, or sitting on a park bench. Make this phenomenon work for you. Define your problem and take a 20-minute walk. Bring paper and pen. Once you are temporarily removed from environmental distractions, a solution may come to you. The reduced distraction allows you to focus better and visualize, process, and imagine outcomes more easily. Incorporate this strategy for greater productivity. Reference www.WorkExcel.com 2 In the News AFI’s Warehouse Incentive Program At Affiliated Foods, when we hire a new order selector there is a working standard that must be met in the first 60 days of employment. The Warehouse Management System calculates time for each store order based on Engineered Labor Standard. This time / standard must be met at 100% by the first 60 days. Once the selector achieves 100% of standard and keeps that standard or above, they become qualified order se- lectors. This process helps orders to be pulled in a timely manner. February 2013 Above and Beyond… Grocery Perishable Qualified Qualified Maluo Wol Todd Sena Jon Rea Rupert Brashears David Monroe Jose Torres Alexander Perez Matthew Ortega Top Pay Aaron Lake Cody Livengood Terry Montgomery Juan Hernandez Eric Hernandez Aldo Saenz Juan Faragoza Christopher Vandamme Sir Thomas Gaither Josh McDaniel Philip Lumbrera Top Pay Rolando Balcazar Irving Mata HBC James Lanham Joseph Ortiz Qualified Jacob Tijerina Chrystal Sepeda Timothy Watson Christopher Hernandez Top Pay Edith Contreras Erica Cortez Courtesy of Jimmy Ross / Director of Warehouse Operations, David Trimble / Assistant Director of Warehouse Operations, Enrique Barreras / Dry Grocery Supervisor and Preston Haberman / HBC Supervisor 3 In the News Be Food Safe 4 In the News Affiliated Food Service In 1978, Affiliated Food Service was born to expand the availa- bility of in-store bakery and deli products for our member retail- ers and to establish a top notch supplier to the food service us- ers in the trade area. This unique dual house situation provides the capability to service customers with a full line of prod- ucts. As a broad line distributor, Affiliated Food Service is able to deliver to a wide spectrum of custom- ers, including convenience stores, schools, hospitals and some of the finest restaurants in the seven state region: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico and Arizona. The "Affiliated Advantage" allows customers access to the quality and convenience of Plains Dairy, Tri State Baking and the entire warehouse of Affiliated Foods. With a product line of over 30,000 items, we’re sure to meet your food service needs. Benefits of Affiliated Foods Service for Member stores: Better than competitive pricing. You are buying from a company that you own. Members receive year-end patronage from purchases. A staff of experienced Food Service and Bakery-Deli Specialists. We will be featuring our Food Service products and services at the Affiliated Spring Food Show “Pursue Excellence” on April 11, 2013. Please make plans to attend! Courtesy of Tana Bray / HR Courtesy of Dale Thompson / New Accounts 5 In the News EMPLOYEE: February Employee of the Month STORY: cont. from Page 1. Melody has been married to Jeff for 30 years and they have one son, Hunter. Hunter has blessed them with one grandson, Heath, who is 2 ½. Melody’s eyes light up when she talks about Heath and the fun they have with him. Melody is an advanced scuba diver and her favorite hobby is quilting. She also enjoys knitting, reading and scrapbooking. Melody and her husband really enjoy scuba diving in the Florida Keys and hope to go again soon. The family has two dogs, one cat, and 20 chickens. Melody’s favorite food is Mexican and her favorite movie is Gone with the Wind. Melody’s inspiration comes from her dad. Her dad al- ways told her that life would be full of disappointments and to keep her eyes on Jesus because He would nev- er disappoint her. She believes it to be true today. Melody plans to continue working for AFI and keep do- ing a great job. Melody Witherspoon Employee of the Month for February 2013 She selected gift certificates from Jorge’s Mexican Grill and will receive an additional 250 safety bonus points. Keep up the GREAT work, Melody. Congratulations! Courtesy of Rita Koontz / Human Resources Spotlight on the Warehouse Newcomer of the Month! Johnathan Mootry, Johnathan, is one of the up and coming Order selectors from the Dry Grocery selection crew. He might have only started working here at Affiliated the second week of December, but has quickly impressed his supervisors. His great work ethic has shown quickly on the selection floor. Johnathan’s supervisor, En- rique Barreras attributes this to Bryce’s dedi- cation to his new wife and first baby on the way. Johnathan has just moved to Amarillo and believes he has found the stable job he was looking for here at AFI. He would eventually like to own his own business, but says the good work environment and employees will proba- bly keep him here a while. Courtesy of Jason Lueb / Inventory Manager 6 From the Kitchen Counter Princess Sandwiches Mrs. Rorer’s Sandwiches, 1912 By the late 1800s, sandwiches had found their place in American lunchboxes and on dinner ta- bles. This cookbook, originally published in 1894 by well-known cookbook author Sarah Tyson Rorer, was the first American cookbook focused solely on sandwiches. Above is one of the original recipes from the cookbook! For more of the recipes go to … www.thehenryford.org That was then... This is Now! 1 can 10 oz. Shurfine Premium Chunk Chicken Juice from Half a Lemon 2 Tbsp. Shurfine Butter melted or Olive oil 24 Shurfine Walnut halves 1/2 tsp. Shurfine Paprika 1/2 tsp. Shurfine salt 1. Place all the ingredients in bowl mix thoroughly. 2. Put the mixture between thin slices of buttered bread, trim crusts and cut into fingers! Whether serving to your Princess or Prince at home...Shurfine will make your lunch fit for Royalty!! Courtesy of Val Clawson / DeJarnett and Western Family 7 In the News Affiliated Foods “ Team 2013” A Note of Thanks! “THANK YOU” to all who have contributed to the success of the Newsletter”! A special thanks to Dale Thompson for his continued support and help! The Affiliated Family News Cathy Gallivan/ [email protected] If you have any thing to contribute please e-mail the “AFI Family News” @ [email protected] What did the Boy Pickle say to the Girl Pickle? You mean a great 1401 Farmers Avenue Amarillo, TX 79118 “DILL” 806-372-3851 to me!!! Awwwwww……….. 8 .