‘Tis Season THE
• THE PSI POST • DECEMBER 2023
A Psi Production HOLIDAY EDITION
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COMPANY UPDATES • 8 Season’s Greetings from Terry Lin Successes & Awards Departmental Updates Meet The Marketing Team
EMPLOYEES ONLY • 12 Holiday Q&A with Terry Lin Holiday Poll Results PSI’s Top 5 Holiday Movies Sweater Contest
Table of Contents
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INTEREST ARTICLES • 16 Wish List Pivitol Presents 25 Years of Giving Keven’s Kitchen
ANNOUNCEMENTS • 20 Upcoming Calendar Employee Awards Special Thanks
A Letter From The Elv es Editors.
Dear Psi Family, Look familiar? We hope not. As the year’s end is fast approaching, we thought we’d take the chance to shake things up this holiday season and create something new! We’ve been working hard to bring you a new Newsletter you can look forward to each quarter. From seasonal treats to hard hitting holiday polls, we’ve gathered an assortment of cheer just for you!
In all the time spent working on this new edition, we have been incredibly touched by all the PSI employees who have submitted content and participated in the various polls. Our goal is to make sure we’re excited about what you’re excited about, to share new achievements and celebrate our successes.
Despite being spread across several continents, countries, and coasts, we all work to make PSI the best it can be. Whether you’re a long-time employee or a recent new hire, we hope that this collection of updates and articles is something you can enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or before a long winter’s nap.
Happy Holidays!
Under The Tree COMPANY UPDATES
Celebrating Continued Success: A Year of Achievements! As we bid farewell to another remarkable year, let’s reflect on just a few of many collective triumphs at PSI. In 2023, we soared to new heights, achieving milestones that underscore our commitment to excellence. These successes were made by YOU. PSI employees serve as the backbone that support and move the company towards our goal of success, for that we applaud and thank everyone of you. Here’s to more successes in the coming year!
Season’s Greetings FROM TERRY LIN
Sweet Success
• This year we saw a total of 44 contract wins (29 bids still in evaluation). Out of our 135 bids, our 32.5% win rate compares rather favorably compared to the competition. • Our commitment to supporting cancer research saw that PSI donated over $200,000 to long-time charity partners Special Love and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, after raising money at our 25th Annual PSI Charity Golf Tournament. • Multiple successful appearances at different conferences across the nation such as HIMMS, DHITS, and NVSBE (to name a few), that allowed PSI to interface with customers and foster connections to win big in the future.
Celebrating Excellence: A Year of Accolades!
Awards
We are thrilled to announce that PSI has been honored with multiple awards in 2023! For the 8th year in a row, our commitment to innovation and excellence was recognized with Computerworld’s “Best Places to Work in IT 2024” Award. Ranking 24th overall for a Mid-size company and 9th in their Career Development category. Additionally, our strides in supporting and hiring Veterans were recognized by the United States Department of Labor. We are honored to have received the “Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award for 2023”, underlining our dedication to those who served. These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our company. Together, we continue to raise the bar and set new standards.
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Gift Wrapped DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Join the Technology Advocacy Group! If you enjoy using new technologies and learning new skills, and if you are interested in helping your peers succeed at adopting new technologies and increasing their effectiveness within the organization, we would love to have you join our Technology Advocacy Group (TAG).
Our meetings are currently at 12pm EST, on the last Wednesday of every odd-numbered month. If you are interested in joining, or if you just want to attend a meeting to see what it’s all about, send an email to TAG@plan-sys.com. You do not need to be a technology expert to join TAG – we want your enthusiasm for new technologies and your motivation to spread knowledge to your peers! Training resources and materials will be provided for you to help you communicate in your area of influence. We hope to see some new faces joining us in the new year!
Visit Our TM Training Library! Our TM Training Library home page has undergone a makeover. You can now access many important links from the home page, such as TM Bookings, Equipment Requests, and the Tech Shorts Video Training Library. We also have our TM Capabilities presentation on interactive display, which details all of the many services and resources we provide to help you be successful in the PSI environment.
We are regularly adding new training materials to our library. You can find the library in the tabs of the Technology Management channel in either the PSI - Employees or PSI Subsidiaries group in Teams. Please come visit us!
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Santa’s Helpers MEET YOUR MARKETING TEAM
Teamwork makes the dream work, or at least that’s what
NOTE: If you have a large
PSI’s newly minted Marketing Team thinks. Bright-eyed
request or need things
and bushy-tailed, they’re working hard to make sure PSI
shipped, please give 1 - 2
shines inside, but especially out. Dreaming of some PSI
weeks advanced notice
swag? They’ve got you covered! To make sure inventory
to ensure on time delivery.
stays coherent, reach out to one of these friendly faces before grabbing any merch from the office.
bryan ly
Marketing Analyst bly@plan-sys.com
ashley sese
Marketing Specialist asese@plan-sys.com
ariel ronayne
Graphic Designer aronayne@plan-sys.com
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Elves Breakroom EMPLOYEE SUBMISSIONS
From heartwarming holiday stories to fun-filled traditions, this corner is dedicated to all things merry and bright. Enjoy the cozy gallery of sweaters where our PSI team and their furry friends shine in their holiday wear. We’ve made sure to include extra cheer for all, including the results of the Pulse Holiday polls as well as a bonus video from our CEO, Terry Lin. Join us as we share laughter, spread cheer, and make memories that will last a lifetime. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, so let’s make it unforgettable together.
Holiday Q&A WITH TERRY LIN
EGG 34% NOG
HOT COCO 66%
North Poll PULSE RESULTS
CHOCOLATE
GINGERBREAD
32%
68% CHIP COOKIES
SNOWBOARDING
50%
50% SKIING
SNOWMAN
70%
30%
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
= TERRY’S PICK
SNOWANGEL
HOME ALONE NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION THE GRINCH A CHRISTMAS STORY DIE HARD
Best P ictures
YOUR TOP 5 HOLIDAY MOVIES
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Elves Breakroom EMPLOYEE SUBMISSIONS
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Cassandra R.
Sasha H.
Chris A.
Vinc ent U.
Andy A.
Michell e D.
Ariel R.
Ashl ey S.
Bryan L.
Reindeer Stables PET SUBMISSIONS
Tracy M.
Jennifer S.
Denise M.
Sasha H.
Diana B.
Richard R.
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Wish List A GIFT GIVING GUIDE
Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? We’ve got you covered! Here are our gift recommendations to add to your shopping list.
1.
FlightPath Golf Tees: Know anyone wanting to improve their golf skills?
2.
Peeps: Not quite a marshmallow treat, but this gadget is still pretty sweet!
3. 4.
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FlightPath “unleashes your potential” with its innovative cradle design. Tested and proven to decrease spin, FlightPath is geared to help identify mistakes so you can improve and achieve your best drive possible! Learn more here.
Peeps “keeps your glasses crystal clear!” This is not your ordinary lense cleaner. Peeps is made with molecular-carbon technology to ensure your glasses are smudge and dust free. Learn more here.
Charge Card: Are portable phone chargers too bulky for you? You don’t have to worry with ChargeCard! This phone charger’s slim design can fit right in your back pocket! Learn more here.
Ciniffo Flying Orb Ball: Need to keep your child entertained? This hover ball is just for you! The orb acts just like a boomerang and is safe to use indoors and outdoors! Learn more here.
As the holidays are just around the corner, millions of people around the world are furiously preparing gifts for their loved ones. While it’s often said that the best presents cost nothing at all, it remains quite enjoyable to receive something you’ve always
P ivotal Presents SEASONAL GRATTITUDE
wanted. Many times, the gifts we remember the most are the ones we got as children and still cherish years later.
From gifts that sparked a passion to ones that taught us valuable lessons, we here at PSI are all about sharing the things that changed our lives for the better. In the spirit of celebrating this gift-giving season, we reached out to a few PSI employees to see what gifts they’ve never forgotten (and some they wish they had)! 1. MOST PIVOTAL GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
2. WHO GAVE IT TO YOU? FOR WHAT OCCASION?
3. HOW DID IT INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE GOING FORWARD?
4. THE BEST GIFTS ARE ___?
5. SILLIEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Andy Acuna, Chief Information Officer 1. Casio MT-70 keyboard. 2. My parents. Christmas gift. 3. I fancied myself a budding concert pianist destined for Julliard and Carnegie Hall or the next member of New Order so of course I viewed this as the catalyst for my rise to stardom. 4. The best gifts are the ones given and not recieved. 5. My sister one year knew I was particular about keeping things clean and tidy and she bought me a whole bunch of cleaning products. Gee thanks. Rachel Winslow, Junior Sharepoint Systems Administrator/Developer 1. A new flute 2. My father, no special occasion. 3. It was probably the first possession I owned with significant monetary value and the first impression I had better honor the gift giver by taking good care of it. 4. Those that extend beyond the first recipient. 5. I cherish all the handmade gifts my son gave me as a small child with their baubles and macaroni and the things lying around the school. Only your children can manage to take very silly things and turn them into something wonderful. That is holiday magic. Tracy Murphy, Manager of Health Sector Operations 1. A ballet barre when I was like 10. I wanted to be a ballet dancer. It was my life, I did it from the ages of 3 to 15ish. 2. My parents. For Christmas. 3. It taught me how to dance and to work hard. I just remember loving that barre. 4. The best gifts the ones people put a lot of thought into. 5. My stepdad like to build puzzle boxes and put gift cards in them. It would like me hours to open those damn boxes.
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Spreading Cheer 25 YEARS OF GIVING
A quarter of a century later, PSI’s 25th Annual Charity Golf Tournament marks a milestone in what began as just an idea to help those in need. From its’ small beginnings to now one of the largest charity golf tournaments in the DMV area, PSI has constantly been supporting charities like Special Love and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society continue their work in researching and fighting cancer.
2023 was no different. With 178 golfers and 48 volunteers, PSI raised and donated $200,866 (with PSI’s Dollar-to-dollar price match), marking one of the largest donations out of all the 25 years the PSI Charity Golf Tournament has been running. This remarkable cause would not be as successful without the work of our very own PSI volunteers, who are tirelessly led by Andy Acuna and Geneen Roby year after year.
Special Love is a 501(c)(3) organization local to the DMV area that gives help to children with cancer. Celebrating their own 40th year anniversary supporting children with cancer, Special Love has been a long-time partner at PSI’s Charity Golf Tournament, bringing their own volunteers to help on the course.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a global nonprofit, supporting blood cancer research. They are the world’s largest nonprofit funder for blood cancer research and have also been a long-time partner that PSI supports at the PSI Charity Golf Tournament.
As the year winds to a close, we look back at these moments such as the PSI Charity Golf Tournament as a reminder to give back to our community. We encourage you, dear reader, to take the time this holiday season to give back to your own community. Opportunities are all around! It does not have to be just a financial contribution. Volunteers are always needed at local food banks and community “angel trees” are a great way to get gifts for kids in need. One small act of kindness doesn’t take much, but it can save lives.
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Keven’s Kitchen A HOLIDAY TREAT
ORANGE & BAY PHYLLO CAKE
Batter 8 oz phyllo, thawed 1 cup)l white sugar 1 tablespoon grated orange zest 1 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt 1 cup grapeseed or other neutral oil 5 large eggs 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon table salt
Syrup 1 cup white sugar 4 3-inch strips orange zest ½ cup orange juice 3 inch cinnamon stick 2 cardamom pods, lightly smashed 3 bay leaves
To make the syrup, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, cardamom, bay and ½ cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then transfer to a 2-cup liquid measuring cup or small bowl; you should have about 1⅔ cups. Cool to room temperature. To make the cake, heat the oven to 350°F with a rack in the middle position. Mist a 9-by-2-inch round cake pan with cooking spray, line the bottom with a round of kitchen parchment, then mist the parchment. Roll the thawed phyllo lengthwise, then slice the roll crosswise ½ inch thick. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, using your hands to unfurl and separate the strips. Distribute in an even layer and bake until brittle and light golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes, scraping up and flipping the phyllo once about halfway through; it’s fine if many of the pieces break as they’re turning. Cool to room temperature on the baking sheet. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and grated orange zest on medium until fragrant, about 30 seconds. With the mixer running on low, add the yogurt, oil, eggs, baking powder and salt. Increase to medium and beat until the mixture is well combined, about 1 minute, scraping the bowl as needed. Remove the bowl from the mixer and, if needed, scrape any zest that’s stuck to the paddle back into the bowl. Add half of the phyllo to the batter base and, using a silicone spatula, fold until the phyllo is reduced in volume and almost evenly moistened. Add the remaining phyllo and fold until well combined and no dry patches of phyllo remain. Pour the batter into the pan and spread in an even layer without compressing the phyllo. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. When the cake is almost done, remove and discard the zest strips, cinnamon, cardamom and bay from the syrup. Set the cake on a wire rack. Using a toothpick, immediately poke holes through the cake’s thickness every ½ inch or so. Slowly pour half the syrup evenly onto the warm cake, then let stand for about 5 minutes to allow the syrup to soak in. Slowly pour on the remaining syrup. The cake will not immediately take in all of the syrup, so liquid will flood the pan; this is normal. Cool until room temperature and all the syrup has been absorbed, at least 2 hours. Run a paring knife around the inside edge of the pan to loosen the cake, then invert onto a platter. Lift off the pan and peel off the parchment. Re-invert the cake onto a serving plate.
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Holiday Calendar
UPCOMING DATES
DEC 25 CHRISTMAS DAY JAN 01 NEW YEARS DAY COMPANY HOLIDAYS
Nice List
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST
Special Thanks 20
Special thanks to all who contriubuted to this month’s issue. We appreciate all your hardwork in making this new issue of the Newsletter possible.
Have something you want to share? We’d love to hear from you! Send an email to the Marketing Team and let us know what you’d like to submit for next quarter’s issue.
Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays WE’LL SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR
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