TABLE OF CONTENTS
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT RAILROAD EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT CHRISTMAS RECAP HR REMINDERS HR REMINDERS SAFETY ARTICLE SAFETY ARTICLE REMEMBERING MARCO
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT CODY HICKMANS JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITES AT CDL
Having been with CDL for 9 ½ years, Cody’s career journey has been marked by growth, variety, and a constant pursuit of new challenges. When asked about his time with the company, he reflected on his journey that began in the security division and has evolved into the overhead door division. “I started with the security division and worked there for six years before transitioning to the overhead door division in 2020,” he shared. This transition has been a major milestone in his career, as he continues to expand his skill set and take on new responsibilities within the company. Over the years, he employee has embraced a variety of roles within CDL, contributing to his multifaceted expertise in different areas of the business. Today, much of his focus is on the overhead door and gate sectors, along with a recent foray into the handyman side of overhead door services. He explained, “I’ve been working with overhead doors and gates recently, but I’m also starting to venture into other aspects, like offering handyman services for overhead door systems.” This expansion into new areas not only demonstrates his adaptability but also highlights CDL’s commitment to offering comprehensive services to meet a wide range of customer needs. What stands out most about his work at CDL is the diversity of their daily tasks and the opportunity to engage with different customers. When asked about his favorite part of working at CDL, he answered, “I love the variety of jobs I get to work on and the chance to meet different customers with unique needs.” A typical day for him often involves quoting jobs, running service calls, or installing new overhead doors, each task presenting its own challenges and rewards. This combination of technical skill, customer
interaction, and problem-solving keeps the job dynamic and fulfilling. Before joining CDL, his background was in a completely different field. He spent time working as a postman in the Pittsburg area, delivering mail to local residents. Reflecting on the impact CDL has had on his life, he said, “I’ve learned so much about things I never imagined I would work on, and I’ve had the opportunity to travel to places I wouldn’t have if I hadn’t joined the CDL team.” This sense of personal and professional growth, along with the rewarding experiences along the way, underscores how his career at CDL has shaped both his life and career in ways he never anticipated.
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RAILROAD EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT; MATT DITTMAN CARRER SHIFT: FROM TRUCK DRIVER TO RAILROAD MAINTINER
In November 2021, Matt began a new chapter in his professional life by joining CDL as a railroad maintainer. With a background in truck driving for nearly two decades, this career shift marked a significant turning point. What started as a decision to retire from longhaul trucking five years earlier than planned turned into a rewarding and challenging new path within the railroad industry. In the three years since joining CDL, [Employee Name] has embraced the complexities of the role, learning the ins and outs of the railroad industry, and has found great satisfaction in overcoming the steep learning curve. When he first joined CDL, [Employee Name] had little knowledge of what working as a railroad maintainer entailed. The transition was tough, but the sense of accomplishment he felt from troubleshooting and resolving problems kept him motivated. His daily tasks involve routine maintenance and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) testing on the Frederick Branch of the MARC commuter train in Frederick, Maryland. Here, he is responsible for managing nine crossings and ten switch locations across a 3.4-mile stretch of track. Over time, he has honed his skills and deepened his understanding of how all the components work together, giving him a greater appreciation for the railroad system. One of the most fulfilling aspects of [Employee Name]’s job is the variety of challenges each day brings. No two days are the same, and the opportunity to continually learn and troubleshoot issues has been a
rewarding experience. He enjoys the process of figuring out what’s wrong and taking the necessary steps to resolve it. His work shifts vary, with early mornings focused on train departure and FRA testing, while afternoons involve general maintenance and managing train arrivals. Despite the demands of the job, the opportunity for growth and the satisfaction of mastering new skills keeps him engaged and motivated. The impact of working at CDL extends beyond just professional fulfillment; it has also positively influenced his personal life. Transitioning from a 50-60 hour work week as a truck driver to a more manageable 40-hour week has significantly reduced his stress. Additionally, the flexibility in his schedule allowed him to be there for his family during a difficult time. When his father fell ill, [Employee Name] was able to support his parents by being present for doctor’s appointments and hospital visits. Looking back, he sees his decision to join CDL as one of the best choices he’s ever made, both for his career and his overall well-being.
CHRISTMAS RECAP This holiday season, we are feeling extra festive and grateful for the incredible support of our customers! We kicked off the season with our 12 Days of Giveaways, where we gave away prizes to 78 lucky winners. From free services to exclusive gifts, it was our way of saying thank you for being part of the CDL family. The joy and excitement shared by our winners truly made this holiday season special, and we can’t wait to bring even more fun and surprises to our community in the coming year! In addition to our giveaways, we made sure to spread some Christmas cheer to our top 30 customers with thoughtful gifts that show our appreciation for their continued trust in CDL. We also partnered with the talented team at Sign Brothers to participate in the annual Christmas parade, where CDL and Sign Brothers lit up the streets with holiday spirit. It was a heartwarming event where we got to connect with our local community, spread festive joy, and showcase our company’s holiday pride. It’s always a privilege to be part of such a wonderful local tradition. This year, our commitment to giving back went even further. CDL made a special Christmas donation to children in foster care, ensuring that they received presents to brighten their holiday. At CDL, we believe in the power of community and generosity, and we are proud to support causes that make a positive impact on the lives of others. As we reflect on this season of giving, we are deeply thankful for our amazing customers and look forward to continuing to serve and support our community in the years to come. Merry Christmas from all of us at CDL!
OPEN POSITIONS Railroad Signal Maintiner
Spokane, WA
Railroad Signal Maintiner
Detroit, MI
Journeyman Electrician
Pittsburg, KS
Railroad Signal Maintiner
Cresson, TX
Railroad Signal Supervisor
Kalamazoo, MI
Railroad Signal Maintiner
St. Paul, MN
Plumbing Installer
Humboldt, KS
DECEMBER CORE VALUE COIN RECIPIENTS NAME
POSTION
COIN TYPE
John Clifton
Signal Construction Foreman
Excellence
Kegan Leftwhich
Signal Installer, Signal Construction
Excellence
Michael Piercen
Construction Foreman
Excellence
Rickie Berry
Signal Installer, Signal Construction
Excellence
HR REMINDERS Have you Moved? Changed phone numbers or emergency contacts? Time to update! In order for us to ensure we’re relaying the right information to the right person, updating your personal contact information, such as your phone number, your home and mailing address, emergency contact (and their phone number) is crucial. Please take a moment to review the information you have listed in your employee record in UKG. Below are the steps to check this information and make any needed changes.
SAFETY: DRVING IN WEATHER WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN LOOK LIKE RAIN, SNOW, ICE, SLEET, AND FOG AND INCREASE RISK WHEN DRIVERS HAVE TO GET BEHIND THE WEEK AND MOTORISTS MUST KNOW HOW TO STAY SAFE Postponing a drive until the worst of the weather has passed is ideal, but for those who must drive, or are already on the road, there are plenty of tips that can help drivers reach their destination safely. When driving in bath weather, the two most important safety precautions drivers take is to slow down and stay back. Driving slower helps decrease the likelihood of skidding, hydroplaning, and accidents. Reduce your speed 1/3 on wet roads and by 1/2 or more on roads with ice or snow. Brake time can be slower in bad weather, so leave more room in front of your vehicle than you usually do. Stay on top of auto maintenance to ensure the vehicle you are driving doesn’t cause more problems in bad weather. Replace old windshield wipers, lights that aren’t working, and worn-out break pads. Clean dirty head lights. Make sure tired have adequate tread and the tire pressure is at the recommended level. Never let the fuel get too low. Stay up-to-date on oil changes and other routine maintenance. Plan ahead before getting on the road, especially when bad weather is in the forecast. Allow extra time to reach your destination without feeling anxious or stressed because weather or traffic conditions may slow you down. Learn alternative routes so you are prepared if roadways become impassible. If you are using a cell phone for navigation, set that up before you drive to avoid distracted driving, which can be especially dangerous in bad weather. When the weather turns wet, the not just the rain that can be a problem for drivers. Lightening flashes, high winds, decreased visibility, rising water levels, and the risk of hydroplaning can all create opportunities for roadway crashes. To keep yourself and others safe when driving in rainy weather, turn on the vehicles headlights even in the daylight to increase visibility. Never attempt to drive through flooded areas. If you do drive up an area of the read that is covered by water and you cannot see the ground beneath the water, turn around. Do not follow larger vehicles, like trucks or buses, too closely because they can create a splash of water large enough to cover your windshield. Drive in the middle lane when possible because rainwater tends to pool on the outer edges of the road. Hydroplaning happens when water in front of the tired builds up faster than the vehicles weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water which can result in dangerous skidding or drifting. If you do experience a scary moment of hydroplaning while driving, do make any sudden moves with the steering wheel. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator until the vehicle slows and the tires can get traction again. Tap the brakes gently as needed to regain control.
SLEET, SNOW, AND ICE CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS DURIGN THE WINTER. PAY ATTENTION TO THE LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST AND USE CATION IF YOU HAVE TO GET ON THE ROAD IN FREEZING WEATHER. Bridges, ramps, overpasses, and shaded areas are the first to freeze in the cold weather. Sow down on these sections of the roadway or avoid them if possible. Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice on a roadway that can cause drivers to lose control quickly. Be aware when black ice could be a problem, stay focused, and avoid areas that look slick. Keep an emergency hit in the car along with extra food, drinking water, and a warm blanket. If you become stranded in the winter stay in your vehicle and call for help. When driving on icy roads, it’s easy to find yourself in a skid when your wheels lose traction. The most important thing to do if you start to skid is remain calm and not make any sudden moves that can send the vehicle into a spin. Remove your foot from the accelerator to slow the spin of the tires. Do not slam on the breaks, but instead gently tap the brakes. Avoid over-steering, but gently guide the position of the vehicle to ensure you don’t lose control. Fog is dangerous because it significantly reduces visibility for drivers. If driving in fog cannot be avoided, do what you can to stay safe on the road. Only use low-beam headlights and turn on off lights, if available. Don’t use high-beam headlights in fog because they can reflect the light off of the fog and actually make it more difficult to see. In dense fog you can turn on emergency flashers to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers who are driving behind you. When visibility is low, use the white reflective line on the right edge of the road as a guide. Always watch for slow-moving vehicles and parked vehicles. When driving in bad weather, turn off cruise control and remain in control as you pay attention and stay focused. Avoid hard breaking, but instead, lightly tap the brake to stop. Use turn signals early to give plenty of notice to other drivers before you start to slow down. Avoid sharp or quick turns which can lead to skids and accidents. Pull over if you need to for any reason...If weather gets worse, if visibility becomes a problem, or if you experience increased fatigue. If possible, pull into a rest stop area or parking lot to avoid being in any traffic.
REMEMBERING MARCO We have had the honor of dedicating the Serrmi Manufacturing building to Marco Ibrra, our beloved Senior Vice President of Engineering & Signal Maintenance, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Now named the Marco Ibarra Manufacturing Facility, this dedication is a testament to Marco’s incredible contributions to CDL and Serrmi, his postive leadership, adn the lasting impact he had on everyone who worked with him. This year CDL has experienced heartbreaking lesses, and as the holidays approach, we are reminded to cherish time with our loved ones.