SEPTEMBER HAS A VIBE:
BRING THAT “BACK TO SCHOOL” MINDSET TO WORK
Sharpen your pencils and your skills! September is the perfect time to “level up” at work.
As working adults, we don’t get much in the way of summer break, and yet September still has that “back to school” feeling – even if you don’t have kids going back to the classroom. Below are five strategies you can use to give yourself renewed energy to finish out the year.
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Think about where you are, and where you want to be:
Set clear, achievable objectives for yourself and either implement now, or start writing them down so you’re not scrambling at performance review time.
Compare & align your objectives with the company’s.
How can you help yourself and your department align with P1’s objectives and culture? As P1 rolls out refreshed guiding principles, vision, and purpose in the next few months, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to take a fresh look at this.
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3 Consider proposing new ideas or projects that could benefit your team or department. Be open to new responsibilities or cross-departmental collaborations to expand your skill set.
Revitalize your physical and digital workspace.
A clean, organized desk and a well-structured digital filing system can boost your productivity and it just feels good to clean things up!
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5 Seek mentorship opportunities or mentor others. This is rewarding in itself, and demonstrates your commitment to personal growth and the development of those around you.
HAVE A GREAT Q4!
MONTH
“It takes eight minutes talking to someone to make them feel not alone.” This theory has been promoted under different names, like the "8-Minute Theory" or "8-Minute Catch-up".
Popularized by public figures like Simon Sinek, the idea suggests that even short, focused periods of connection with friends or loved ones can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and foster a sense of belonging and well-being.
It may not be enough to fix all their problems, but it can stop someone from doing something drastic. You can step out of that meeting, you can step away from your tools, you can turn your favorite sports team off, for just eight minutes to help someone.
September may be the designated month for suicide prevention awareness, but every day is a chance to look out for one another. Suicide can affect anyone – friends, coworkers, family – and often, the signs aren’t obvious.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS:
• Talking about wanting to die or not existing anymore
• Feeling hopeless
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
• Sudden mood changes – especially from very sad to calm to happy
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Giving away possessions or saying goodbye in unusual ways
If you notice these signs, reach out. You don’t have to have the answers. Listening without judgment and encouraging someone to seek help can make all the difference. A short conversation, a check-in, or simply asking, “how are you really doing?” can save a life.
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING:
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org, available 24/7, free, and confidential.
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor.
• P1 EAP (Employee Assistance Program): Email P1857HR@p1group.com for more information on resources.
P1 PEER CONNECTORS ARE HERE
Suicide in construction has increased in average from 5,000 to 7,000 individuals per year.
P1 Peer Connectors are available any time to help our associates by simply listening, talking, or helping someone get help or resources. The entire P1 Safety and HR teams are all trained Peer Connectors, or look for anyone with the peer connector emblem.
Interested in becoming a P1 Peer Connector? Contact Cheri Totta, cheri.totta@p1group.com or 913-275-5551, to get signed up for training.
P1 Service Ankeny Office Continues to GROW and THRIVE
The P1 Connection newsletter has brought multiple stories about the history, and success, of the P1 Service office in Ankeny, IA.
P1’s presence in the region goes back several decades, and the highlights on the following pages show how the office has grown in just a few short years.
ORIGINAL ANKENY OFFICE CLOSES IN 2017: P1 remains committed to serving the region, especially within the ethanol industry. Service Manager Garrett Whited manages key ethanol accounts while completing his apprenticeship.
P1 OFFICIALLY REOPENS THE ANKENY OFFICE IN 2022:
Significant work is transferred from Lenexa, building on the established ethanol expertise. With the return of seasoned leaders and the addition of new team members, the branch begins its next chapter.
RANDY WALLIS COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT TO CONSULT:
Providing technical training and support, Randy shares his four decades of chiller experience, mentoring young mechanics and reconnecting with long-standing customers. 04
IN 2023, CORY LISTER JOINS AS DIVISION MANAGER: Cory focuses on preventative maintenance growth.
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MAINTENANCE BASE DOUBLES: Within the first year, the branch nearly doubles its maintenance base, including a large agreement with Michael Foods.
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IN 2024, MATT HINES JOINS AS PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS CONSULTANT: Matt helps diversify the portfolio into manufacturing, healthcare, education, and property management. 07
DOORS OPEN FOR ADDITIONAL GROWTH: P1’s reputation in ethanol opens more doors, including Electrical Testing and Maintenance. ETM Project Manager Wade Buck’s presence at FEW and Team M3 conferences, combined with Garrett’s strong relationships, expand offerings throughout the upper Midwest.
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PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS: The Performance Solutions team partners with Ankeny on major chiller replacement projects, several in the multi-million-dollar range, fueling rapid growth and exceeding revenue forecasts.
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MULTIPLE REGIONS SUPPORT GROWTH: General Managers
Andy Dunbar and Todd Andrews guide the relaunch, while technicians from Lenexa, Topeka, St. Joseph, and Wichita help meet demand, and the Lenexa projects group executes largescale replacements with precision.
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LENEXA GENERAL MANAGER JOHN COBB oversees Ankeny branch financial performance.
THE TRUE SOURCE OF Megan Berry’s African Adventure
Happiness
Sleeping under the stars in the African desert wasn’t on HR Supervisor Megan Berry’s bucket list—but it turned out to be the unforgettable experience she never knew she needed.
Growing up in rural Missouri, Megan never really dreamed of going to Africa, let alone make it her first international trip.
Megan says the whole experience started more than 10 years ago, when her cousin Nathan met a man from the Kenyan desert.
Nathan is pastor at the Radiant Church in Wichita.
“For several years, Nathan has worked with Pastor John, a man who grew up in a remote part of the Kenyan desert, in Turkana County,” Megan explained.
“He helped Pastor John establish a church in Kenya, but there was a dire need to find water for a well.”
Pastor John reached out to Nathan telling them how desperately they needed a well since they were in a severe drought.
“After years of fundraising and failed attempts, they were finally able to find water and establish a well for the local people.”
The inspiring story of hope and perseverance can be seen in this video.
Next, the team set up a school, which has been open for just over a year with 60-65 children from kindergarten to eighth grade attending free of charge. The school also provides living quarters for staff and 20 students.
“My opportunity came about a year ago when my cousin asked if I was going to Africa next year with them, and I just said ‘yes’!”
Before she knew it, Megan was getting vaccines and taking her first international trip. After three plane rides and an hour-long drive into the desert, they finally made it out to the school.
Megan and the nine people with her mission joined the school staff for three days and provided a Vacation Bible school program for the children.
They also just spent time playing.
“We played soccer, jump rope, one of their favorite things, Duck, Duck, Goose,” Megan said. “They will say ‘circle’, and just play Duck, Duck, Goose forever!” laughing and smiling the whole time!
One of the projects they were able to accomplish during their stay was building the children a new soccer field.
“There are little thorn shrubs all over the ground, and the kids would run through and hurt their feet,” she said.
The group dug out a big area for a soccer field, dug out all those thorns, buried some tires for the boundaries, and put up metal poles for the goals.”
The same week it was built, they had their first soccer tournament with a visiting school that brought new equipment to go along with the new cleats and jerseys from Megan’s group.
“What struck me most about the kids is their incredible joy, As they carry water or gather firewood, they sing with genuine happiness.”
Field of Dreams: Children playing soccer on the new field built by Megan’s team. Group photo of the students, staff and mission group.
Megan assisted with multiple projects around the school.
“It’s a powerful reminder that joy doesn’t come from what we have, but from how we live. We think our lives are stressful, but these children show us what true resilience and appreciation look like.”
Another project they tackled was preparing bags of food and delivering them to the people around the school.
“We filled bags up with rice, corn, tea, salt, sugar, beans, and just basic necessities,” Megan said.
“We delivered them to the families in the area. They don't have like one set place where all the houses are. There’s a hut, you walk half a mile, then there's another hut, you walk another mile, there's another hut. They're all just very spread out in this huge region.”
Megan says the trip was a life-changing experience.
“What struck me most about the kids is their incredible joy, even in the face heartbreaking circumstances. As they carry water or gather firewood, they sing with genuine happiness. It’s humbling—many of them have little to eat and own almost nothing. Yet their gratitude and cheerfulness shine through,” she said.
Sleeping Under the Stars
Without electricity, the grass huts became uncomfortable at night, so Megan and her group chose to sleep on cots under the open sky. Protected by mosquito nets, they found some relief from the heat while also shielding themselves from scorpions, spiders, and other nighttime critters. Megan said sleeping under the stars became both a practical solution and a memorable part of their journey.
“It’s a powerful reminder that joy doesn’t come from what we have, but from how we live. We think our lives are stressful, but these children show us what true resilience and appreciation look like."
Megan was so moved by the connections she made she now sponsors one of the children at the school, helping to cover essential needs like food and housing.
The church continues to support the community and is raising funds to build a high school, ensuring the children can take their education beyond eighth grade.
Megan plans to return on another mission two years from now.
NEW FACES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please join us in welcoming our newest P1 associates. KEY: (C) = P1 Construction, (S) = P1 Service
A FEW FUN FACTS ABOUT FALL
• Fall occurs as the Earth tilts away from the sun, not because it’s farther from the sun.
• The first jack-o’-lanterns were made from turnips, beets, or potatoes in Ireland and other Celtic cultures.
• The Thompson & Taylor Spice Company released a nine-ingredient preblended mixture called Pumpkin Pie Spice in 1933. One year later, McCormick & Company released their own four-spice version including allspice, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg – the same one we use today.
WORK ANNIVERSARIES
5 YEARS: ALEXANDER DAVIS, TAYLOR CLOUSE
10 YEARS: ANDREW SEE, WILLIE YOUNG, RON LITTRELL, BRIAN MAGINNESS, TREVOR PAYNE, MICHAEL GREEN, GARY ROBERTS
35 YEARS: SEAN MARCONETTE
(C) Cynthia Harrington Project Coordinator Lenexa
(S) Michael Munoz Project Sales Manager Topeka
(C) Kenya Hernandez-Lopez HR Assistant Lenexa
(S) Tyler Wilhelm Project Account Manager Iowa
(C) Nicole Ash HR Assistant Lenexa
(S) Ashley Ingo Cost Accounting Clerk Lenexa
(S) Riley Shoots Marketing Specialist Lenexa
(S) Danielle Bearden Director of Human Resources Lenexa
BIRTHDAYS + ANNIVERSARIES
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
HAPPENINGS
Supporting Finding the Cure: P1 Construction once again attended the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – Shoot for the Cure dinner and sporting clay tournament in August. According to Project Manager Jason Larsen, the effort to find a cure holds a special place in P1’s heart. “Each year, P1 joins former P1 Vice President Paul Smith and his wife at this event,” Jason said. “Paul’s son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and fought it for many years, and P1 continues to support this cause.” Pictured, left, at the dinner: Kollin and Laura Knox; Jason and Corey Quattlebaum; Paul and Kathye Smith; Jason and Anissa Larsen; Nick and Gretchen Lawless. At the clay tournament (right) are Brandon Kelly, Sam Stewart, Griffin Souder, Nick Lawless, and Jason Larsen.
Representing KC: Congratulations to Brandon Jones of P1 Service (pictured, center). From Apprentice to Journey Worker, Brandon will represent Kansas City on a national stage. Brandon is headed to the UA HVAC Service Competition this month, representing UA Pipefitters Local Union 533 and the Kansas City mechanical industry.
According to a representative from Mechanical Contractors Association-Kansas City, “After completing his apprenticeship and earning journey worker status, Brandon continues to set the standard for excellence in HVAC service. His selection to compete is a testament to the strength of union training and the caliber of talent in our local workforce.”
The United Association represents more than 388,000 skilled professionals across North America. Brandon's achievement puts the Kansas City region in the spotlight.
