NOVEMBER 2023
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
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Table of
CONTENTS 03 Division Spotlight
04 Maintainer Spotlight
05 Employee Spotlight
06 Safety Feature
08 New Hires
09 Open Positions
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CDL LIGHTS UP PITTSBURG WITH CHRISTMAS CHEER
BRIGHTENING HOMES, WARMING HEARTS: CDL’S MISSION TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS MAGIC ACROSS PITTSBURG
‘Tis the season of joy and festivity in the heart of Pittsburg. CDL, known for its diverse services, had decided to spread the magic of Christmas by offering a unique service— hanging Christmas lights for the public. Our team of skilled professionals is making it their mission to transform ordinary homes into dazzling winter spectacles. Until December 15th, Christmas light installations start at just $150. This services is limited to homes within a 30 minute radius of Pittsburg, KS.
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MAINTAINER SPOTLIGHT: TRAVIS TODD BALANCING FAMILY, LEARNING, AND ADVENTURE AT CDL We are excited to introduce Travis Todd, a dedicated member of the CDL family, hailing from the Athens, Ohio. Travis, along with his fiancé Georgetta and their two delightful children, Magnolia and Ronnie, bring a unique perspective to our dynamic team. With almost two years under his belt at CDL, Travis shares that he chose to work here because it gave him the ability to spend more time with my family. Travis encourages us all to “keep an open mind and keep learning,” emphasizing the importance of continuous growth. “There’s always something new to learn,” he notes, capturing the spirit of curiosity that fuels success at CDL. One of the aspects that surprised Travis the most about working at CDL is the everchanging nature of the job. “It’s not the same stuff every day,” he shares. “Every day there is something different going on, and you are going to learn and face challenges that you are able to overcome.” This resilience and adaptability are key elements in thriving within our dynamic work environment. Outside of the office, Travis finds joy in spending time camping or honing his skills at a gun range. When asked about his dream vacation, he envisions tranquility at Dock 3 at Burr Oak State Park, showcasing his appreciation for nature and outdoor adventures. If Travis could meet any famous person, he’d choose Val Kilmer because he’s everyone’s huckleberry. Imagining a meeting with Kilmer, Travis envisions engaging in some trapshooting, seamlessly blending camaraderie with shared interests. Dreaming of a superpower, Travis wishes for flight, as he would never have to drive again. In closing, Travis shares his favorite quote: “Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow” by Mahatma Gandhi. This powerful advice encapsulates Travis’s approach to embracing knowledge and living each day with purpose—a philosophy that resonates with the vibrant culture at CDL.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: KYLE CLUTTER
A REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP AT CDL ELECTRIC Joining CDL on November 6th, Kyle stepped into a crucial role as the Director of Safety, filling the shoes of his predecessor, Curt. His journey to our company was paved by his previous experience with Watco, where he had dealings with CDL in various service areas. Clutter’s family includes his wife Cheryl, his son Matthew, who is happily married with three boys, and his daughters Rachel and Megan. He also values the presence of his mother and in-laws in his life. Kyle emphasizes the importance of getting to know all the companies within CDL and understanding their operations. Overcoming this challenge has been a part of his learning experience, and he looks forward to relying on the CDL team to further educate him in the intricacies of business management. Kyle’s advice to colleagues is to be proactive, not reactive. He encourages the team to always ask, “What else can be done?” rather than saying, “I do not know.” Kyle firmly believes in finding solutions, stating, “We need to find a way!” Underscoring the importance of teamwork, he emphasizes that it’s the only way to achieve success. One thing that surprised Kyle about his current role is witnessing the effectiveness of the safety program set up by Curt. This revelation underscores the robust safety culture within CDL. Outside of work, Kyle and his wife are on a quest to find a local church in the area. He enjoys exploring new places with his wife and engaging in construction projects. When dreaming of a vacation, Kyle envisions traveling to Ireland, reflecting his love for exploration and new experiences. An interesting fact about Kyle is that, despite his last name being Clutter, he is not related to Rick Clutter. If he could have any superpower, Kyle would choose the ability to persuade people to adopt safe practices in work, home, and play—a testament to his dedication to safety. Kyle shares a quote that guides his life, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” We are excited to have Kyle Clutter as part of our CDL team and look forward to witnessing the positive impact he will undoubtedly make in enhancing our safety culture.
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SAVE LIVES, FROM THE WORKPLACE TO ANY PLACE BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING Driving in the winter can be harrowing, especially in snowstorms and icy conditions. By getting your car ready for winter and using some simple tips to drive safely, you can face almost any weather Mother Nature decides to send your way.
Know Your Car’s Capabilities “My Car Does What?” is a national campaign to help educate drivers about the safety features built into vehicles. Search for your car and find out what safety features are already built in. Traction control is now standard on most new vehicles. This function helps your vehicle gain traction on snowy, icy or wet surfaces, particularly when accelerating from a stopped or slowed position, or when trying to make it up a slippery hill. Anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps you steer in emergencies by restoring traction to your tires and is standard on most new vehicles. ABS may vibrate or pulse when engaged. This is normal. Continue to press and hold pressure to the brake pedal. Remember, you are your car’s best safety feature. Take precautions to ensure you arrive safely at your destination. If you become stranded in an unfamiliar area, do not leave your car. Light flares in front and behind the car and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, mud or objects.
How to Avoid a Crash AAA offers the following driving tips: • Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions • Steer in the direction of a skid, so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to overcorrect to stay in your lane • Accelerate and decelerate slowly • Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds • If possible, don’t stop when going uphill • If visibility is severely limited due to a whiteout, pull off the road to a safe place and do not drive until conditions improve. Avoid pulling off onto the shoulder unless it is an absolute emergency. Limited visibility means other vehicles can’t see yours on the shoulder.
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BEFORE YOU START OUT
Remove dirt, ice and snow from sensors to allow the assistive-driving features, like automatic emergency braking, to work Clean your car’s external camera lenses and side mirrors To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never leave a vehicle running in your garage To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never leave a vehicle running in your garage – even with the garage door up In frigid weather, you may want to warm up the car before you drive
In addition to annual maintenance, here are some tips to winterize your car: • • • • • • • •
Test your battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops Make sure the cooling system is in good working order Have winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread put on your car If using all-season tires, check the tread and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops Check your wiper blades and replace if needed Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze
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EXPANDING OUR TEAM
WELCOMING TALENTED NEW ADDITIONS
Name
Position
Austin Parker
Accountant
Ronald Peters
Signal Maintainer
Kyle Clutter
Director of Safety
Russell Horton
Journeyman Electrician
Shane Haney
Signal Maintainer
Noah Terry
HVAC Install Tech
CDL Group of Companies celebrated the holiday spirit by participating in Pittsburg’s Christmas parade! Larry proudly showcased several of his vehicles, while Sign Brothers rolled in with a festive, decorated truck (pictured above). Candy was handed out to the parade attendees.
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OPEN POSITIONS
Refer a new employee and be paid up to $500 per employee hired based on position. You must fill out a candidate referral form. Payout is in two increments of 60 days of employee hired and 90 days of employee hire date.
Location
Title
Location
Title
Pittsburg, KS
Journeyman Lineman
Pittsburg, KS
Journeyman Electrician
Pittsburg, KS
Accountant
Humboldt, KS
Master Plumber Plumbing Service Technician
Pittsburg, KS
Master/Journeyman Plumber
Humboldt, KS
Pittsburg, KS
Plumbing Service Technician
Humboldt, KS Journeyman Plumber Humboldt, KS
HVAC Service Assistant
Humboldt, KS
HVAC Lead Installer
Humboldt, KS
HVAC Installer
Parsons, KS
HVAC Service Assistant
Pittsburg, KS
Journeyman Plumber
Pittsburg, KS
Railroad Signal Installer
Pittsburg, KS
Mechanical Engineer
Pittsburg, KS
Commercial Electrician
Parsons, KS
HVAC Installer
Pittsburg, KS
HVAC Service Assistant
Houston, TX
Journeyman Electrician
Joplin, MO
Journeyman Electrician
Joplin, MO
Service Electrician
Pittsburg, KS
HVAC Installer
Pittsburg, KS
Service Electrician
Pittsburg, KS
Master/Journeyman HVAC Technician
Pittsburg, KS
HVAC Service Technician
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