DECEMBER
2023 | VOL 2 - ISSUE 12
THE UNSTOPPABLE NEWS FROM GRAVITY
Featured Branch Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Birthdays Celebrating Gravity's December Birthdays
Featured Restaurant Taste of Texas
Employee Spotlight Sonja Olivarez
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Employee Benefits Explore New Gravity Benefits
Safety Meetings View Your Schedule
Anniversaries Celebrating Gravity's Loyal Employees
Fun Trivia Test Your Knowledge p3
H o y l i d p p a a y s H N e y w p p Year! a H &
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the dedicated and hard-working employees at Gravity! Your commitment contributes to the success and positive spirit of our Gravity community. May this holiday season bring you well-deserved joy, rest, and celebration. Here's to a new year filled with continued success, growth, and fulfillment
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FEATURED BRANCH
We are happy to spotlight our branches that are stretched across the eight states where we provide services. This month takes us to Oklahoma City, where Branch Manager Cody Thomason operates one of our key locations. WHAT CODY LOVES ABOUT HIS PEOPLE: Everyone at the branch exhibits traditional Oklahoma values: service, honor, and kindness. These attributes lend themselves to providing excellent customer service. We have seen tough times and unforeseen things happen like illness, weather, and most recently (and still so raw), the loss of one of our own, Daniel Roberts. Daniel was a big part of the culture we take pride in, and we will honor him by pressing forward and getting our jobs done with the attitude he brought to our yard every day.
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BRANCHSTATS BRANCH DETAILS:
BRANCH MANAGER Cody Thomason REGIONAL DIRECTOR Adam Garcia
EMPLOYEE COUNT: 1 Coordinator 1 Branch Administrative Assistant 1 Shop Foreman 4 Mechanics 2 Field Technician 1 Shop Hand
POWER EQUIPMENT: Natural Gas and Diesel Generators Pumps Vacs Light Towers
CONTAINMENT EQUIPMENT: Frac Tanks Mud Tanks
EMPLOYEE COUNT CS: 2 Winch Truck Drivers
PRIMARY CUSTOMERS: Calyx Canvas Energy Bravos River
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4601 S. MAC ARTHUR AVE. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73179
WHAT MAKES THE BRANCH SPECIAL: Everyone in OKC is here to get the job done and help their team. It doesn’t matter what job title you have or what division you work for, there is always someone here willing to lend a hand. There are so many moving parts here. If the sales folks were not out doing what they do best, we would suffer. If the mechanics were not extra thorough, we would suffer. If our field techs, coordinators, and shop hands were not giving 100%, we would suffer. Each individual position is vital to our success, and that position is a person. This is what makes our branch special, the people.
- Cody
It's clear from Cody's perspective that the strength of the branch lies in the shared values and work ethic of its people. The traditional Oklahoma values serve as a major contributor to a culture that our company values. Cody recognizes the importance of every individual role, which is key to any good manager. In summary, the branch's strength lies in the resilience, unity, and appreciation for the diverse roles played by each individual. The emphasis on people as the driving force behind the branch's success reflects a positive and supportive culture. p7
HAPPY
Birth
Willis 5th Casey Area Superintendent Permian Disposal
7th 10th
Jeffery Lindemann Branch Manager Pecos Laura Hord AP Specialist II Odessa Business Office
Garcia 11th Adam Director of Operations Mid-Con Region
13th
Venable 16th Wyatt Field Technician I Artesia Pat McCarrell Senior Director of IT Odessa Business Office
18th
Gary Perez Fluid Technician Permian Region
19th
Delaney Carroll Branch Administration Cleburne
Stephen McNeil Treasury Manager Odessa Business Office
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Ray McDonald Fluid Technician Permian Region
day 21st
22nd
Trey Cauble III Risk Manager Permian Disposal Randy Andrews Field Technician I Odessa Sergio Diaz Mechanic - Equipment Pecos Keith Kauss Mechanic - Equipment Dickinson
Reem 25th Jim Lead Coordinator
27th
Dickinson Troy Kessel Regional Sales Specialist Dickinson James Wilson I OTR Truck Driver Cleburne
28th
Rene Navarro Field Technician w/CDL Pecos Joel Rodriguez Mechanic - Diesel Charlotte
29th
Oscar Muniz IV Tank Technician Pecos
Rodriguez 30th Jaime Mechanic - NG Generator Pecos Tina Isom-Royal Assistant Corporate Controller Odessa Business Office
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FEATURED PLACE TO EAT
For our last Featured Place to Eat for 2023, we take you to Houston, Texas, where the “Taste of Texas” has a mouth-watering menu and an incredible history. We hope you enjoy learning about this one-of-a-kind steakhouse that is located just two minutes from Gravity’s Houston Corporate Office. In 1977 the Taste of Texas, located at Town and Country Village, opened its doors and welcomed its first customer. They have since become a Houston landmark. They believe the dinner table is the heart and soul of Texas, and have been celebrating birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and even the occasional wedding, for nearly five decades. Taste of Texas sets the standard in steakhouse excellence, serving only perfectly aged Certified Angus Beef, the finest steaks, and prime rib available. The restaurant is among the top independent steakhouses in the United States, and the nation's largest user of certified Angus beef. There is also a Grill-AtHome section of the restaurant. They age all their steaks for 40+ days and hand-cut them to their exact trim specifications. Another unique dining experience at the Taste of Texas, is that each customer is given the opportunity to tour and pick out their steak or prime rib in the kitchen's butcher shop prior to eating. The Taste of Texas also serves as a museum and has a collection of artifacts related to Texas history. They have hosted over 500,000 Texas school children and have welcomed countless foreign guests, who claim their visit was the highlight of their trip. Their menu is translated into 13 languages and has been circulated around the world. p10
10505 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77024
Texas Quail Bites 4 skewers of bacon-wrapped quail with a sliver of mild jalapeno. Served with jalapenos and spicy ranch dressing. Slow Roasted Prime Rib Juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Includes salad, bread, and a side. Grilled Tenderloin Medallions Two 3oz. tenderloins, bordelaise sauce, fried onion strings, asparagus, and mashed potatoes.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Life: Single mama to the most amazing kids in the world, Chasity, Jacob, Alyssa, Jeremiah, and Baby Joe. I get to be a bonus grandma to a sweet baby boy. Born: Abilene, TX | Grew up and graduated in Snyder, TX. Favorite Food: Street tacos Favorite Hobby: Following my kids around with sports and school activities. Crafting, spending time traveling, and enjoying life with my kiddos and loved ones. I also enjoy watching movies with my babies. Favorite Thing About My Job: I love all the people I get to work with. They are not just coworkers, they are family. When my kids come to the office, everyone shows them so much love and that means a lot. I love everything about my job. Favorite quote: Until you learn to love yourself, you will never know how to love someone else. My Role Model: My Momma
When I got the notification that I had been nominated for this, my first thought was, “Yeah, no... No one wants to hear my story right now, not with how hard things are at times, or even how I view my self-worth, etc.” But then I remembered a saying I once heard that I will never forget by Eleanor Roosevelt, “A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets put in hot water.” And maybe that’s why I was hesitant to accept this nomination. I think, like most people, we want others to see the strong version of us, not the one being stirred up. But that is not reality. The reality is everyone has their own issues in life, and it’s up to us how we respond to those issues and have the courage to keep going. So, this might be showing my roots a little much, but another quote that is always there in the back of my mind is by John Wayne, lol. “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Though I don’t ride horses, it’s a good visual for me. I think everyone reading this can relate to having different chapters in their life story. Some are filled full of life’s joys and blessings, while others are more of a heavy read, with loss, grief, and the smallest light at the end of the tunnel. I could put another quote here about how trees don’t grow on top of mountains, but in the valley, however, I will spare you... You get the idea.
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One of the things I have learned this year about myself is that no matter how things may appear, though hard, it is simply a season, a chapter in my life’s story. I have 5 good reasons to carry a torch through uncertainty, which are my children. Chasity, Jacob, Alyssa, Jeremiah, and Baby Joe. They are the reason I get up and keep pushing forward. Looking into the eyes of my children I realize just how blessed I continue to be. At times when my torch just won’t seem to light, I turn to God, the ultimate light, where Psalm 119 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Throughout my life, I have always looked up to my momma. As a little girl, I didn’t get to spend the time I would’ve liked with her, and being that little I didn’t really understand. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized just how much she sacrificed being a single mom. My mom worked multiple jobs and held down the fort. We didn’t always have the nicest things, but we always had what we needed. My mom showed me to be a hard worker, to be independent, and to love hard. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for her guidance. My mom has shown me that no matter what life throws your way it is up to you to decide how you are going to react to it. My momma taught me that family isn’t always blood, it is the love you carry in your heart for each other. I will forever be grateful that God put her in my life to look up to. In 2016, one of those paths led me to Gravity, and I am forever grateful. Working as the Office Coordinator is actually one of the joys I mentioned before. This may sound cliché, but I don’t loom over Monday mornings. I love my job and I love what I get to do here. Though officed in the small town of Snyder, Texas, I know that I am a part of something bigger within the Gravity community. My actions, the torch I carry at times, and my role here at the office, I know all make a difference. God knew where I needed to be, and this place has definitely been and continues to be a blessing. The people I work with are a huge part of my life and have helped me in so many ways inside these doors as well as outside. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be. When I think of what Gravity means to me it's… Family. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Don’t take the good times for granted... Count all of your blessings... When you find yourself in life’s “hot water”, remember to take a deep breath and “saddle up”. Take care of yourself and take care of those around you. From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
-Sonja
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Remember that Gravity provides you with accident coverage through Aetna? That plan pays a $75 Health Screening incentive each year, per person enrolled on your plan. If you, or your enrolled dependents, have had an annual check-up or preventative screening this year, be sure to claim your $75 per enrolled person today. This plan will continue in 2024 but will be through Lincoln, so be sure to file your Aetna claims as soon as possible. Submitting claims is easy: 1. Go to myaetnasupplemental.com 2. Click the “Create A New Claim” button, answer a few quick questions, and submit. If you haven’t registered at the Aetna claims portal before, be sure to register as a first-time user using your name and personal identifiers. Call or email Benefits if you have questions! Benefits@gvty.com or (325) 573-1310. p14
December - 2023 Pecos Power Generation and Containment Solutions – Pecos, TX
Dickinson Power Generation – Dickinson, ND
Artesia Power Generation & Containment Solutions – Artesia, NM Oklahoma Power Generation & Containment Solutions – Oklahoma City, OK Odessa Power Generation & Containment Solutions – Odessa, TX Lubbock Business Office – Lubbock, TX
Snyder Business Office – Snyder, TX McKenzie Energy Partners – Watford City, ND Gravity Water Midstream – Big Spring, TX Repair Facility – Cleburne, TX Remote Workforce – Teams
Charlotte Power Generation & Containment Solutions – Charlotte, TX Odessa Business Office – Odessa, TX Bossier City Power Generation & Containment Solutions – Bossier City, LA Greeley Power Generation – Greeley, CO
Douglas Power Generation – Douglas, WY
Oakdale Power Generation – Oakdale, PA
Williston Power Generation – Williston, ND
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10YEARS 9 YEARS 6 YEARS Jamie Jenkins Business Systems Analyst Odessa Business Office
Rick Rodriquez HSE Ops Support Manager Permian Disposal
Billy Raxter OTR Truck Driver Cleburne
Mike Slaughter Coordinator Lubbock Business Office
Daniel Gomez Branch Manager Odessa
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5YEARS
Mark Bodine Field Technician II Dickinson
Kris Tripp Coordinator Charlotte Todd Thurman Director Water Infrastructure Watford City
4YEARS
2 YEARS
Zach Claybrook Director Water Sourcing Corporate
Ronald Baker, Jr. Natural Gas Field Technician Oakdale
3YEARS
1 YEAR
yeArS
Tom Thompson Natural Gas Field Technician Dickinson
John Baird Director Infrastructure Projects Permian Region PD
Christian Kuhn Winch Truck Operator Oklahoma City
Brad Smith Vice President Power & Rental Sales Odessa Business Office
Mark Gonzales J.T. Williams Field Technician I Mechanic - Equipment Charlotte Oklahoma City p17
DECEMBER TRIVIA In total, how many gifts were given in the "Twelve Days of Christmas"? A. 600 B. 364 C. 251
Which song tops Billboard's list of the 100 greatest holiday songs of all time? A. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby B. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives C. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
How many real Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. each year? A. 5-10 Million B. 25-30 Million C. 10-15 Million
Answers on Page 20
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TRIVIA
ANSWERS p19
Answer: B 364 total gifts were given. If you were to buy everything listed in the song “12 Days of Christmas” it would cost you $41,205!!
Q2
Q1
Answer: C
“All I Want For Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey tops the Billboard’s list. Followed by “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms, “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" by Nat King Cole, “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives, “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano, and “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” by Andy Williams.
Answer: B 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year in the U.S. 60-70 million new seedlings are planted each year as well. p20
Q3