When it comes to “Family” there are two types: the blood relations you ’ re born into and can’t change (your parents, siblings, grandparents, eccentric aunts and uncles ��) and your CHOSEN family: your spouse/significant other and children you raise, your friends, colleagues, teammates, and yes, your coworkers. These are the people you CHOOSE to show up for, every day, over and over again.
We spend an exorbitant amount of time with the people we work with and it’s imperative that we acknowledge the “chosen” family we have here at Taplin
Many of you travel in the course of your work for this company, often great distances from home and for extended lengths of time. You work long hours –early mornings and late nights, weekends and even holidays (when the client has an emergency or needs shutdown work, we show up.) This company is built collectively on the backs of every single person who proudly wears the Taplin logo. None of us wins unless ALL of us win The work we do isn’t glamorous – it’s not for everyone and it damn sure isn’t easy But it IS important Our work really does matter and without YOU, that work can’t be done. YOU MATTER. To the work and to this company.
So thank you, to our “chosen family”, for everything you do to make this company great Thank you for showing up, thank you for caring about the quality of the work you do, the reputation of this company and for proudly wearing that elk Thank you for choosing us. We appreciate you.
Gary Dixon 11/3
Alexis Davis 11/4
Glenn Deuster 11/4
David Balogh 11/14
Scott Munger 11/16
Robert Kelly Jr. 11/16
Deon Thomas 11/18
Courtney Schmidt 11/18
Rick Kilgore 11/19
Zachary Shudark 11/20
Brandon Prieur 11/21
Patrick DeNoon 11/23
Justin Kramer 11/24
Rigo Rodriguez 11/29
Steve A 11/30
Mitchell Taplin 11/30
DecemberBirthdays
Jacob Versluis 12/3
Jenn Goodwin 12/14
Anthony Samuel 12/18
Jason Oberlin 12/18
Jacob Ordiway 12/28
Wishing everyone a safe and very Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season ahead.
Recent Promotions
Congrats to Brandon Klopf and Aaron Sherrill and their recent promotions to Foreman roles in the UI Crossbore Division!
answering “What was your first job?“ Any guesses about who these answers belong to??
If you ’ re at the Kalamazoo office, be sure to take a peek at the board and share your own answers to the current question: “What song do you wish played when you walked into work?”
Time to check in and let us know - are you getting what you need to be successful at Taplin?? How can we help? We want you to build a successful CAREER here but we need to hear from you. What’s important to you? WHY do you choose to work here? What can we do better?
“November 11 2025 marked 9 years since I bought the company back.” th,
November 11, 2016 Steve purchased the company back, and the current iteration of the Taplin family of companies is born.
Andrew Evans Division: Underground Infrastructure
Field tech
Antonio Lancaster Division:
Underground Infrastructure
Combo Operator
Britni Bogarin Division: Marketing
Kota Peters Division: Underground Infrastructure
Locator
Kristina Parsons Division: Industrial Services
Driver
Sullivan Hill Division:
Underground Infastructure
Operator
Tim Draft Division: Industrial Services
General ManagerGrand Rapids
Kirk Nabozny Division: Remediation
Operator
Stephen Davis Division: Underground Infrastructure
“Excellence Is Not a Skill. It’s an Attitude.” -Ralph Marston
Excellence isn’t about what you know It’s about how you show up It’s choosing to care.
To take pride in your work.
And to hold yourself to a higher standard Skill begins the journey, Attitude defines the destination
Caution: Winter Weather Ahead
Training Academy Videos
Reminder that slippery roads and cold temperatures are around the corner
Why is it important & how you can be prepared?
Reduced visibility: Snow, ice, and fog limit sight distance, making it harder to spot hazards early. Longer stopping distances: Heavy trucks already require more space to stop, and winter road conditions multiply that distance
Increased risk of skidding or jackknifing: Ice and slush make traction unpredictable, so safe speeds and smooth maneuvers are essential.
Protection of cargo and equipment: Safe driving prevents damage to freight, the truck, and costly downtime
Safety of all road users: Truckers share the road with smaller vehicles that are more vulnerable in winter collisions, making caution critical.
Professional responsibility: Safe winter driving maintains a trucker’s reputation, supports compliance with regulations, and ensures timely, incident-free work.
Most Importantly it’s to keep YOU safe!
Taplin Social Media Are you on Facebook LinkedIn? Instagram? Be sure to click/scan the Taplin social media links below and follow us for all the latest company news and project features!
Alongside safe driving techniques, also be prepared with the proper winter clothing & equipment while travelling.
Alongside safe driving techniques, also be prepared with the proper winter clothing & equipment while travelling.
Click HERE for a downloadable checklist to be winter-ready!
Click HERE for a downloadable checklist to be winter-ready!
