BusyBeeNews - 2nd Quarter 2023

April-June 2023

Dianna Bryant

submitted by katie vallorani

Matt Tindell

INSIDE SALES/CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATE – CARROLLTON, TX SPECIFICATIONS MANAGER – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – CARROLLTON, TX FACTORY SUPPORT SPECIALIST – HOUSTON, TX SPECIFICATIONS MANAGER – SAN ANTONIO, TX ENTRY LEVEL ACCOUNT MANAGER – AUSTIN, TX WAREHOUSE SALES ASSOCIATE – HOUSTON, TX WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE – CARROLLTON, TX SPECIFICATIONS MANAGER – HOUSTON, TX ACCOUNT MANAGER – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK SPECIFICATIONS MANAGER – AUSTIN, TX

THE GREAT AND POWERFUL HAAS TURNED 65 ON JUNE 18TH! We gathered together, on June 16th, to commemorate a special occasion - Hal’s 65th birthday!

We had a fun time celebrating his birthday with a giant cookie cake and a surprise Cameo video featuring Richard Karn (otherwise known as Al Borland, from the 90’s television show, Home Improvement)!

For the past 32 years, Hal has been an essential part of HMC, dedicating his time, energy, and expertise to the success of this company.

It’s no wonder that he is considered our go-to person when it comes to any questions or challenges related to our products.

So, as we celebrate his 65th birthday, we look back on his incredible journey with the company and feel grateful for the impact he has had on our lives.

Hal, may your 65th birthday be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. And may the years ahead continue to be as remarkable as the ones you have spent with us at HMC. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAL!

submitted by: jonathan cooper

submitted by: jonathan cooper

Summer is here and so is the Texas heat. It is important that everyone takes appropriate precautions whether at home or at work to avoid heat illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Stay hydrated and increase water intake, utilize the work/rest cycle, don’t overexert, and be alert for signs of heat illness of yourself and others. If you see something that is unsafe, or someone who may be showing signs of a heat illness, stay with the person and notify someone to get help.

SI SUPERCOOL is an ISO 9001-Certified manufacturer of HVAC-R lubricants and specialty products based out of Florida. Primary categories from SUPERCOOL are HVAC Lubricants, Flush, Acid Scavenger, Drain Line Cleaners, U/V Dye & Leak Detection, Leak Stop, and Vacuum Pump Oils.

TX, OK, NM, LA, AR, MS HVAC Team8

submitted by - lori zimmer

WHAT THE HIVE CAN TEACH BUSINESSES ABOUT

LEADERSHIP, EFFICIENCY,

& GROWTH

LESSON #25 THE WISDOM OF BEES by: Michael O’Malley, Ph.D. GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING TO CARE ABOUT Every day, the bees are on a lifesaving mission on behalf of the hive and future generations.

Propelled by impulse, for eons, honeybees have cultivated a social life larger than the aggregated efforts of solitary bees, honing their joint survival skills in passage. Does it really matter if nature divines their purpose, and we create ours? Hive or business, a group can cut through a lot of clutter if bound together by a common goal and grand purpose in which it tries to accomplish something special.

This final lesson is not about the bees per se, but about you.

Throughout life, you will discover - if you haven’t already - that you are best at doing what you love most. People are able to convert their hobbies into moneymaking ventures. We are not all so lucky, but thankfully, a large proportion of us find our way eventually. Companies can go a long way to make work more enjoyable and meaningful for their employees but cannot do it all. They cannot dictate what you should be passionate about and they cannot save you from false ambitions, the confining expectations of others, or negative thinking.

You always have a choice, and it will help you in your journey to travel with the twin virtues of compassion and humility - attributes that transform those who are less endowed into superheroes - if one is to believe fairy tales.

HMC’S NEW BEE’S APR.-JUN. 2023 JUSTIN DAVIS – ACCOUNT MANAGER – PMG - HOUSTON

Justin is based out of Houston and reports to Aaron May. He has been working in the plumbing industry for the last 12+ years and comes to us from Moen Inc. where he was the SF Business Development Manager. He also has a degree in Business Administration from Texas State University. Justin was born in San Antonio, and enjoys golfing, hunting, and fishing. He has a dog named Goose, and in his free time, he likes to spend time with his family and friends.

ROBERT SQUYRES – ACCOUNT MANAGER – HVAC - HOUSTON

Robert worked for HMC from 2010 to 2019 as an Account Manager.

Robert lives in Houston and will report to Austin Cunningham. He enjoys country and classic rock music, was born and raised in Houston, likes to go to the shooting range, watch movies, and play arcade games. He has three sons, and his favorite food is Italian.

GLENN MITCHELL – TEAM5

Glenn is no stranger to HMC. He worked for us, in the warehouse, during the summer of 2020. He just graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Supply Chain Management. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Southlake, Texas. He enjoys watching and playing sports, likes listening to country music, his favorite color is red, and favorite foods are pizza and pasta.

ALEXANDRA (ALEX) WAGNER – TEAM12

Alex grew up in Frisco and just recently graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications. She loves to work out and walk her Australian Shepherd, Zebo. Alex loves being anywhere near water – lake, pool, or the beach. Her favorite food is sushi but also loves steak and pasta.

HMC’S NEW BEE’S APR.-JUN. 2023

MILES COFER – TEAM2

Miles was born in Hayward, California and raised in Fort Worth. During his free time, he likes to travel, explore new places, and go out to eat with friends. His favorite cuisines are Mexican, Italian, and seafood.

Miles has worked in the stage industry for the last five years and has met some of his favorite artists in this role. His most recent position was with Nonexchange as a Video Specialist. You can always find him on a Sunday, curled up with his dog, watching a good show or movie.

PHILLIP NHES – MARKETING ASSISTANT

Phil graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2021 with a degree in Marketing. He was born and raised in Carrollton, likes street tacos, playing video games, basketball, working out, and watching TV. He collects shoes and his favorite color is black. Phil’s favorite music is R&B, rap, and dance. A few of his favorite artists are The Weekend, Illenium, and Juice WRLD.

KASTEN JAYNES – SAN ANTONIO WAREHOUSE

Kasten grew up in San Antonio and attended Town East Christian School. He likes football, hunting, and fishing. His favorite food to eat is pizza and he likes to listen to country music.

CARLA REYNA – 2ND SHIFT - CARROLLTON

Carla graduated from Richardson High School in 2021. She grew up in Richardson, likes activities with nature, and loves eating sushi and seafood. Her favorite music to listen to is Cumbia Columbiana. She likes watching the Dallas Cowboys and has a fur baby dog named Niño.

GERARDO HERNANDEZ – 1ST SHIFT - CARROLLTON

Gerardo grew up in Dallas and has completed some college courses.

He enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also loves eating tacos, and watching soccer, Real Madrid.

HMC’S NEW BEE’S APR.-JUN. 2023

DOMONIQUE LUJAN – 2ND SHIFT - CARROLLTON

Domonique grew up in Dallas. She worked at Elliott Electric Supply, as a manager, and is beginning her career in the medical field. She likes to listen to Mexican music and her favorite food is baked chicken and white rice. She has one son and a German Shepherd named Lucifer.

JOSEPH TERRY – 2ND SHIFT - CARROLLTON

Joseph grew up in Denton. He enjoys Airsoft military reenacting, loves to eat steak, listen to jazz music, and collects antiques. Prior to joining HMC, he worked at a custom suit making store.

SUMMER ASSOCIATES

Pictured from left to right: ARMANI THORNTON – Likes to power lift DEVRIN BROWN – Likes to play football ISAIAH JOHNSON – Likes to teach

JAC CUNNINGHAM – Attends LSU PAUL BROWN – Likes to play tennis MADDIE TURLINGTON – Plays professional soccer in Israel and Italy

In 1965, Bruce Tuckman developed a model of team development that is widely used by business leaders across all industries to evaluate team development and ensure that they are doing the right things to support success. Tuckman’s model consisted of five stages:

Many of you may have heard of these stages before, but if you haven’t, getting to know about them can be especially helpful in understanding why your team’s performance looks the way it does. You should be aware that teams can move back and forth between stages whenever something changes, such as an associate leaving, a new leader, or new responsibilities.

As you might guess, Forming is the point in a team’s life cycle in which the group is ramping up. Team members will typically be very polite to each other and are optimistic and even excited about what the future holds for them. The individuals on the team will be getting to know each other and understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and special skills.

This is the ideal time for the team’s leader to establish clear goals and expectations for the team.

Next comes the Storming phase. At this stage, the honeymoon is over and team members may stop trying so hard to accommodate each other’s individual needs. The differences that might have seemed charming in the Forming stage are now annoying and patience may be wearing thin. While this stage can be frustrating, it is normal and even can be productive if handled effectively by the team leader.

At this time, clear and honest feedback is required to stop conflicts from getting out of control. The team leader will need to steer the team back to their goals and even help to break those goals down into bite-size pieces.

As your team emerges from the Storming phase, they will enter the Norming phase. At this stage, those frustrating conflicts will start to taper off. Team members will have a better appreciation for each other. They will have learned to work together in a positive manner and will stop focusing so much on their individual success and instead will naturally refer to team results.

A great team leader will look for opportunities to celebrate these trends with positive reinforcements and also watch carefully for signs that the team may be backsliding to Storming.

With thoughtful guidance, the team will eventually reach the Performing stage. Working together has now become second nature to the team, so little energy is spent on figuring out how to handle conflicts and other interpersonal dynamics. Now, you will start to see a trend toward problem solving and innovation. Productivity should increase dramatically and the team will start delivering positive results.

The team leader will need to look for ways to recognize the team’s successes and individual successes. This is also the perfect time to re-evaluate goals and determine whether the team can take on bigger challenges.

The final stage is Adjourning. As you might guess, this stage occurs when a team has fulfilled their purpose and will be disbanded.

As an example, the Accounting/HR team is moving from the Norming to the Performing stage right now. Our newer team members who started last year are now comfortable in their roles and the entire team has built a healthy level of respect for each other. Individual team members are aware of what is going on with their peers and automatically step in to help where needed. Over the past year, the team was able to transition HMC onto a new HR/ Payroll platform, UKG, without any lapse in other services provided. Our financial statements continue to offer more user-friendly information each month and our payables and receivables processes continue to be refined. The team is more efficient than ever and is constantly working to make their work product more user-friendly and meaningful.

So, at what stage is your team today? You may or may not be the official leader of your team, but you can always offer value to the team by understanding where the team stands in its development. This understanding, at the very least, will help to ease frustration if you are in the early stages or encourage continued energy in the Performing stage. Team leaders can make a huge difference to their team by taking a proactive approach to guiding their team through the development process and maximizing the time spent in the Performing stage.

submitted by: jonathan cooper CLICK ME

USSF - 52 SpaceX Falcon Heavy: THU July 6 19:25 CDT (Florida) Launch Cost: $90M - Classified payload for the U.S. Air Force.

FOR MORE Crew- 7 SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Projected to Launch August (Florida) INFORMATION Launch Cost $350M - Launch Cost $52M - SpaceX Crew-7 is the seventh crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Integrated Flight Test 2 – SpaceX Starship: Projected to Launch August (Texas) Second test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle. The booster is expected to separate 170 seconds into flight and return to land approximately 32 km off the shore in the Gulf of Mexico. The second stage will follow a suborbital trajectory and perform an unpowered splashdown approximately 100 km off the northwest coast of Kauai (Hawaii).

Major Jonathan Cooper – US Army Reserve

My current role within the US Army Reserve requires that I go to drill in Colorado one weekend every month, with a one week exercise every year, about 30 days a year total. In some instances, we can be called to active duty up to 30 days on top of that (exercises, training, real world response support). For my latest exercise, described below, we were placed on active-duty orders.

What is an Army Space Support Team?

The Soldiers of 3rd Space Company, 2nd Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade are mostly made up of Army Reserve Soldiers who work civilian jobs. They are one of three companies within the battalion - the Aarmy’s only Reserve space battalion - whose mission is supporting the warfighter on the ground at the division and corps level through Army Space Support Teams, or ARSSTs.

ARSSTs have a robust skillset that includes space situational awareness, commercial imagery downloads, position navigation timing warfare, and a host of other space-related jobs.

Each team is composed of six soldiers (two officers and four enlisted) with different roles from the space operations officers that lead them, to satellite communications, intelligence, and geospatial engineers, all which provide expertise on space support operations, along with space-related capabilities that make warfighters with boots on the ground more effective and efficient in combat operations.

Last June we were given the opportunity to provide support to a U.S. European Command directed multi-national, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners.

submitted by: mark kois

I would like to begin and end this message with what I think are two meaningful quotes.

The first is from Benjamin Franklin: As an organization, we are so blessed to have the most talented, ambitious, and genuine associates in the industry. Over the past few years, our organization has been challenged in so many ways, it’s too much to keep track of. But through it all, we have raised the bar and set goals each of us will strive to achieve in the years and decades in front of us.

As I look around at our group, it’s hard to imagine a better team of associates to represent the finest manufacturers in the country. The Cunningham Family, along with Senior Management, begins and ends each day thinking about how to continually provide the very best tools and working conditions for our associates which allow us to grow professionally, emotionally, and financially.

The coming years will once again create new challenges, many of which we haven’t seen previously. I join each of you, in facing these challenges head on, knowing that each of you helped create and develop the tools, associates, systems, and processes that have been established to conquer anything the industry can throw at us.

It is critical to know that your input counts. Without it, we could not be the organization we are today and certainly not in the future. My challenge to each of you is to “bring you’re A Game each and every day.” Our vendors, our customers, your fellow associates, and our families back home are all counting on each of us executing to the best of our ability and beyond.

I will close with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite personalities, Lou Holtz:

It’s going to be a hot and challenging summer for all of us. Let’s go out and execute our game plan and continue to teach and involve each other every single day.

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (June 30)

40 years since Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy is back. In Dial of Destiny, Harrison Ford is joined by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge on a mission that involves Nazis, the Cold War and the moon landing. Will there be snakes on the moon?

We’ll have to wait and see.

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE (July 12)

Tom Cruise is yet again attempting to send himself to an early grave by way of ridiculous stunt work. In this first part of a series-ending duology, Cruise’s Ethan Hunt has returned to face off against baddies in another death-defying mission. The plot is largely under wraps, but expect plenty of deranged stunts (performed by Cruise himself much to the chagrin of every insurance agency) and at least one person peeling their face off. Hayley Atwell joins the cast for the first time, and if the Fast X two-part series finale was any indication, we may see the star ending this movie on the losing side of things.

OPPENHEIMER (July 21)

Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s biopic is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, who created the atomic bomb. While Nolan’s latest movie Tenet was a twisty puzzle box that required multiple viewings to decipher, Oppenheimer will probably be more akin to Dunkirk in its historical nature. Cillian Murphy gets the meaty lead role and could be in the hunt for his first Oscar nomination. If you don’t want to start your day at the theater with a movie about the Manhattan Project, however, you could save that for later and begin with...

BARBIE (July 21)

Barbie couldn’t be more different from Oppenheimer if it tried. Ignore the tragedies of the world and instead bask in the shellacked, pink, plastic world of the Hasbro icon. Margot Robbie (and approximately 400 other actors) play Barbie in the latest from Greta Gerwig. Gerwig, who previously wrote and directed Ladybird and Little Women has a perfect track record, and I don’t anticipate that will change with Barbie. Now your only question is whether you’d like to start or end your day with Ryan Gosling dressed as Ken.

HAUNTED MANSION (July 28)

In a trend that’s growing increasingly alarming, Disney, which has for decades been the epitome of imagination, is returning to the same IP over and over. While the live action remakes, unnecessary Pixar sequels and spinoff Marvel/Star Wars TV shows are growing tiresome, the second Haunted Mansion movie in 20 years is a welcome return. What is ghoulishly giddy about Disney’s latest ride-to-movie adaptation is the cast. LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hasan Minhaj, Dan Levy and Winona Ryder? All in one movie? Some playing ghosts perhaps? Be ready to laugh and then have chronic nightmares for a month.

ASME Expansion Tanks Bladder Expansion Tanks TX, OK, NM, LA, AR, MS Plumbing Team4

Drink Water

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Drinks with caffeine or alcohol can actually be dehydrating.

Avoid Sun

stay indoors during the hottest time of the day from 11am to 3pm if possible.

Seek Shade

Protect your skin from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can speed up the effect heat has on your body.

Look Before You Lock

Never leave children or pets in the car. Heatstroke happens quicker than you think.

Protect Your Eyes

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays.

Wear Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 15 before going outdoors. Reapply every 2 hours.

Dress for the Heat

Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your face.

Stay Safe While Swimming

Never take your eyes off swimming children. Designate a “water watcher” to keep an eye on things.

Katie Vallorani InsideSales/CustomerService

HUGH U. MOBILE TRAINING LAB About a year ago, FST was tasked to redesign and update the demonstration trailer that had previously been used primarily for pump demonstrations and shows. The goal was to make it more compatible for all HMC products. This will allow it to be utilized by ALL the AM’s for their training and customer needs.

The process began with clean out, which was performed by Jim Fouts. The trailer had become a storage container for the displays and supplies that were left in it from the last time it was used. The displays and supplies were gone through, one by one, disposing of anything out of date, and cleaning and relocating the still useful displays and supplies for future use.

The next phase was deconstruction, which was also performed by Jim Fouts. The generator cover was removed, along with the shelving that was in front of the lift-up panel. The grinder pump’s acrylic tank, and the custom pedestal that it sat on, were removed. Then the wall mounted TV and the hinged mounting bracket were removed. Finally, the cabinet which hung on the front wall was removed. And of course, it was swept out after the deconstruction was completed.

Adam Merritt then took over the rebuild of the trailer. He carefully considered several ideas for the design and layout of the trailer. He solicited input from the group managers, and he got inspiration from several other sources, including the Little Giant/Franklin Electric trailer, the Bradley Van, and other industry trailers that we have seen at different training and product shows and events.

Adam took the trailer to Granbury, where a friend allowed him to use his custom cabinet shop, to design, build, and install all the cabinetry. After the cabinetry was complete, he painted all of the walls, cut and laid the flooring, and installed all the hardware of the anchor points for securing product and material for transportation.

Hugh U’s Mobile Training Lab is now ready for all to utilize. It is fully reconfigurable for all our product lines. It comes equipped with a 5500w gas powered generator for most of your electrical needs. It has interior lighting and ventilation. The personnel door gives access to the generator. The rear door swings fully open, with a latch on the side to hold it that way. It also has a side lift door, with hydraulic pistons, to hold it open. The side opening allows for different product displays, on the shelving and viewing of the TV screen, for training videos or custom product video loops. The side opening could also be used at special events like NASCAR as a buffet or bar trailer.

FST worked with Marketing to get some informational posters that can be swapped out to meet the needs for each Mobile Training Lab event. If you find you need something unique, you can work with them ahead of your event, to make sure that you have everything you need for your set-up.

click to check out hmc’s social media channels!

Katie Vallorani InsideSales/CustomerService