WE the People - Spring 2020 Issue #6

FOR 10+ YEARS! hank You

Without the hard work and dedication of our employees, our success at Worldwide Equipment would not be possible. Day in and day out, our employees remain committed to the highest standard of excellence. We extend our greatest appreciation to those who have been with us through it all.

APRIL

RICHARD RICE 36

JOHN SMITH 32

JAMES JUDY 26

JOHNNY SKEANS 22

RICKY BYRD 21

DANIEL JAMES 20

CHRISTOPHER ELSWICK 17

MARK HAMILTON 16

MARK LOWE 16

RONALD MAYS 13

GREGORY RICE 13

ROBERT SHAFFER 12

DANA KEEN 12

HUGH SMITH 11

DIANA BLANTON 10

MAY

DOUGLAS BEAN 37

IRVIN DOTSON 27

RAYMOND NEACE 27

CHARLES VISSING 26

EDDIE HOLBROOK 26

AMY ADKINS 24

BRAD SHELTON 23

RANDY PAYNE 21

SANDRA MASON 21

JOHN FAILE 20

WILLIAM HALES 17

CONNIE DOEDEN 17

JUNE

TERRY DOTSON 48

FRANKLIN TENNEY 36

JOHN CASTO 36

HARRY GARRETT 35

KEVIN MEADOWS 32

LARRY GOODMAN 30

JAMES HAGA 30

CHARLES ROWLETT 29

DUANE MCDANIEL 25

BRIAN PYLE 24

JOEY KIMBRELL 24

TAMMY HOLT 24

JERRY HUMPHREY 24

THOMAS TINKER 24

MICHAEL WILSON 24

DAVID FITZGERALD 24

GWENDOLYN SELVAGE 23

JOANN GARAVAGLIA 22

DARRELL BARKSDALE 17

JAMES BRITTON 17

GARY KEOWN 17

JOHN WALLACE 17

PHILLIP WHITE 17

ELIZABETH STURDIVANT 17

JOSEPH WADDELL 15

ROY TAYLOR 14

JAMES LEONARD 13

TIM BELL 12

CHARLES PERRY 11

AMY SHARP 10

FLETCHER PETERMAN 21

JAMES DOTSON 20

TONY DAVIS 16

SCOTTY FULLER 15

KENNETH GILLIAM 15

HUGH BEAN 14

PHILLIP ZEITERS 14

ROY SAMMONS 14

SCOTT STUART 13

BILLY THOMAS 12

ANDREW COLLINS 12

DAVID WEINLAND 12

ALAN MARTIN 12

NATHANIEL ROBERTS 10

GEORGE TOUSSAINT 10

TERRY DOTSON

President & CEO

As I began to write this communication my thoughts led me to remember the wonderful novel of Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”. In the opening paragraph of the novel it starts, ”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was winter of despair”. This novel is a treasure. I will not go into the story; however, I do recommend the you read the book or see one of the many versions of the movie.

With all the things currently going on in the world and in our company, I feel this paragraph fitting; to me the paragraph says that things go on both good and bad in all times. “Stuff” is all around us. Life issues will always be swirling in our lives both good and bad. Our choice is what

to concentrate on, what is important, what we can change or affect and what we cannot. Our jobs- our mission is to remember the serenity prayer and change the things we can change and accept and work with the things we cannot.

Today in our country and in our world, people are sick, some are dying from a “new virus”. Folks have been dying from sickness since Adam & Eve left the garden of Eden. This we cannot change. However, we can change our chances to die from this virus or any other by our choices: our choice of diet, the places we go, the things we clean or do not clean, our healthy habits and our choice of travel among others. The young have the partial exception from possible death simply by being young, the old are more susceptible to dying simply because older bodies are not as healthy as they once were. Habits, the passage of time and God’s plan for us make this so. Choices in life put us where we are and choices also take us to a positive or not so positive tomorrow. Such is our life on this earth and such is our life in our company and its business.

Today our company has several stores in marketplaces that are challenged by both time & technology while other stores have tremendous opportunities from the same progression of time and advancement of technology. The energy fields that furnished all this company’s foundation; the money,

the history and the beginnings of our organization are now challenged markets while other WE markets are in areas building products for the needs of today and developing the technology of the future. They are expanding, growing and are more successful. Such is life, such is time and such is “so called” progress. Our jobs and the survival of our jobs depend largely on how we accept our position in each market. How WE grow and change within these developing, growing areas as well as how we still take advantage of the opportunities in the older markets will be the gauge of our success. All of this depends on you. Exactly the way you accept and battle this current issue of the virus personally and with your family will lead to positive or negative results. Your jobs and our company will succeed or not be so successful simply because of your choices and beliefs.

Not so many years ago in the energy fields WE sold large off-highway trucks, long dump trailers and big, powerful heavy tractors. Today we sell school buses, state, city and local vehicles, garbage trucks, over the highway products, smaller trucks and trailers. Our shops are more occupied by transit vehicles than our neighbor’s trucks.

In our newer markets some of the same units exist as in the older markets. In this way the old and new markets are the same except that in newer markets customers buy by the dozens or hundreds of trucks and trailers and honor us with business in our newer locations on a daily basis. Also, many trucks in new shops are also passing through; transit or guest customers are an important part of our new work phase.

The jobs each of us occupy within our company are all important to our families, to our coworkers, to our customers, to our communities, and yes, to OUR company. Our specific jobs are to succeed for all of these people. Our jobs are to do our best for each and every member of these different family groups of which I speak. YOUR company CARES about you and your family! Please care about your company family as well. I promise you every day our leadership works to make your company a better place to be, not just to work. BE a positive part of our organization! Your job is

to help make YOUR Company be the place YOU want to be: The place you wish to earn a living, the place you enjoy working, the place you furnish income for your families as well as for your fellow members of the company and OUR customers and our communities.

Only through our mutual goals and successes can WE do this! WE all depend on each other!! As stated earlier, it can be the best of times and/or the worst of times- it’s your choice! It is the time of light or darkness, it’s your choice! It is the time of healthy habits or not so healthy habits and it is the time to succeed and to grow to be better!

YOUR company is going to do all it can to help you be as happy, successful, healthy, and to grow and succeed! YOU are a very important part of the WE! The challenges of today are yours to embrace and to solve, yours to accept and take advantage of; to get better or, heaven forbid to slide backward. YOUR company is doing pretty good with new products, new buildings, new tools, new training, new Vehicles and new opportunities. This current health challenge will challenge our business and our ability to succeed.

However, only through your positive attitude and grateful efforts will WE be successful – It’s important to you, to your family, to your friends that work with you, to your communities and to your company that YOU do your best! WE and you have been through challenges before.

The folks who came before you, some of which are still around, embraced the prior challenges and WON. WE believe you will be successful also. Remember, we all stand on the shoulders of people before us who provided, who taught, who trained, who raised and provided for us to have the ability to win. God bless you and your families. I pray he protects you and gives you the opportunity for success and happiness.

Let’s all do OUR part! Let’s WIN!

“‘Stuff’ is all around us. Life issues will always be swirling in our lives both good and bad. Our choice is what to concentrate on, what is important, what we can change or affect and what we cannot.”

By the People, For the People

WE asked you to submit to us your success stories, events, and family updates, and your response was astounding! See what the rest of your WE family has been up to.

JOSH CARROLL

Alex High Alex started in March, and came to us from Peterbilt. He loves to work out in his spare time.

Andrew Barns Alex started in February as a parts delivery driver. He is a dedicated Tarheels fan.

Josh Corbett

Josh is Greenville’s new service tech. He moved here from Maryland with his girlfriend of 7 years

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Patrick Howard Patrick got hired on as a back counter parts man in January. He came to us from International. Excitingly, he’s set to be married on April 18th!

Katie Long Katie came to us from Shealy Truck Center. She works parts and service.

The Chattanooga WE family would like to congratulate these fine fellows for their dedication to our company. Pictured here: Danny James, celebrating 20 years of service in the service department, John Faile, celebrating 20 years of service as a warranty admin, Chattanooga’s division manager Joshua Twomey, Carl Guffey, celebrating 5 years of service in the body shop, and Lanval Gumbs, celebrating 20 years of service as maintenance.

Abingdon

WELCOME, LITTLE CLIFTON

Chattanooga would like to recognize Josh Carroll for earning his Service Advisor Master Certification! Josh is the first ever in Chattanooga to receive this certification. He is shown here being awarded his certificate by Chattanooga service manager, Rodney Cannon.

Congratulations to Jonathan and Molly McCroskey on the birth of their son! Clifton Allen McCroskey was born on February 16th, 2020 and weighed 8lb 10oz.

Our upcoming Spartanburg division is coming along nicely!

Cross Lanes Bus Garage

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

You’re never too old for birthday cake. Pictured to the left is Mike Coatney. He wouldn’t say how old he is, but we were given a hint: old enough to retire. To the right are twins Brooke and Barton Ausmus, children of Middlesboro office manager, Tammy Ausmus.

Summerville

A big warm Worldwide welcome to Summerville’s new service writer, Renee Keller-Milligan!

RIDIN’ WITH STYLE

Check out Alayna Goad’s new whip! She is the daughter of Summerville’s Inventory Control Specialist, Keri Goad. They are pictured here with Alayna’s new 2019 Jeep Compass.

CUTE LITTLE SAWYER

Congratulations to Summerville parts delivery driver, Cindy Sanders, on the birth of her grandson! Sawyer William Craven was born on February 28th, 2020. He weighed 8lbs 1oz and measured 21 inches long! Just look at that fuzzy head.

Our Middlesboro WE family is shown here having a great time at their Christmas lunch! Parts is pictured above, service below (plus salesman Jeff Troutman), and to the left are Barton Ausmus and Jerry Wallace.

Josh Howard and Barton Ausmus are happy to do inventory... but not quite as happy as Jerry Wallace.

Congratulations to Joe Woody for 15 years of service and Larry Goodman for 30 years of service!

Scenes from the West Virginia Association of School Administrators Winter Conference on January 30th and 31st. Rick Ahart and Steve Bradley are pictured to the right working the Worldwide Bus Sales table.

Complete Truck & Trailer

Dayton

Our CTT family would like to welcome their new service technicians Spenser Pettyjohn, Dakota Sherritze, Charles Foster, and William Spencer. WE are happy to have each of you on board and wish you success with our company!

Knoxville

a warm

HELLO, JOEL!

A big congratulations to John Maples on the birth of his son! Joel Thomas Maples was born on December 15th, 2019 weighing 10lbs 4.2oz! He’s seen here already smiling for the camera.

Worldwide Ford INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

Worldwide Ford has some very exciting news! Back in May of 2019 Worldwide Ford began working on an internship program with Smyth Career and Technology Center to give students a Co-op - real life experience in a working auto repair shop. In cooperation with the Ford Motor Company Ace program, they made this a reality. With Jennifer Blevins and Mr. Hagy working together to iron out the details, they brought three nice young men into their dealership, employed them and went to work.

Six short months later they have graduated their first student from being an intern to a full time base level certified mechanic. This is what they dreamed of when they began this program. The opportunity to grow these young folks and develop them into skilled mechanics.

Congratulations to Nathan Thompson on joining our team. Worldwide Ford has supplied Nathan with a starter tool box and set of tools to begin his journey. They will continue to grow this program and strengthen their ties with Smyth County Schools. This is exciting time for Worldwide Ford, and WE look forward to see what the future holds!

Check out these moving, beautiful images from 2019’s Wreaths Across America. WELease loaned a truck for the event.

Brent Hardin (left) and Logan Bowling (right) completed the Haldex Brake Training class! Congratulations, you two. They are pictured here with Knoxville parts manager, Greg Benson (middle).

Our Dayton WE family would like to extend

welcome to their new hires! James Crabtree (left) is their new parts manager, and Josh Lewis (right) is an outside parts salesperson.

BUILT FORD TOUGH

Congratulations to Bob Jones on the birth of his grandson, Ford!

Prestonsburg

INTRODUCING CRITTEN!

WE would like to congratulate Anthony and Jessica Lewis on the birth of their baby boy! Critten Edward Lewis was born October 13th, 2019, weighing 6lbs 13oz and measuring 22 inches. He was welcomed home by his two big sisters!

Pamela Gayle Edmonds

5/30/1953 - 2/27/2020

Join us in prayer for our Huntington WE family and their transfer driver, Keith Edmonds, who lost his wife Pamela on February 27, 2020. She was 66 years old.

Kermit “Bill” Coles

Barry Holman presenting Robbie Blevins his 15 Year Service Award, and Neal Sharp his 5 Year Service Award. Thank you both for your hard work and dedication!

Give a warm welcome to Somerset’s new hires, Justin Lawson (hired12/2/2019) and Brian Hall (hired 1/13/2020)! Welcome aboard!

1/4/1947 - 1/14/2020

Cross Lanes Bus lost their own Kermit “Bill” Coles on January 14th, 2020 after a year long fight with cancer. He was a beloved driver for the bus garage for over a decade and will be missed dearly.

HR is here for YOU!

Are you using your Human Resources department to its full potential? Check out some of the great things HR can do for you.

Did you know...

WE have a True North Advocate that’s dedicated to WE employees?

The True North Advocate can answer all of your benefit questions, order new ID Cards, answer questions about claims, billing, and help with finding a local provider.

Call 877-745-6302 to speak with our advocate.

Understanding our EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

Life’s not always easy. Sometimes a personal or professional issue can get in the way of maintaining a healthy, productive life. Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can be the answer for you and your family. EAP offers assistance for employees and their dependents for the following:

• Emotional well-being

• Family and relationships

WHAT DO OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY?

Did you know...

Now is the perfect time to enroll in the WE Employee Owned 401(k) plan!

In 2019, the total fund value of our plan surpassed 25 MILLION dollars!

Do you have an old 401(k) from a previous job that you need to roll-over?

It’s simple to do and FREE! Reach out to HR or payroll for more information.

WE are so proud to have a 97% Open Enrollment participation rate!

All divisions did an excellent job with helping employees through the open enrollment period. A huge thank you to all of the office managers, open enrollment wouldn’t be successful without each of you.

• Legal and financial

• Healthy lifestyles

• Work and life transitions

You can trust your EAP professional to assess your needs and handle your concerns in a confidential, respectful manner. Their goal is to collaborate with you and find solutions that are responsive to your needs. If you need help, don’t delay! Call 800-316-2796.

“Truck I was driving broke down, these guys did an excellent job at getting it running again.”

MARK MALONEY

Knoxville, TN

Submission Guidelines

Appropriate submissions include:

Customer Success Stories

Outstanding Employee Spotlight Events/Parties

Family Milestones (marriages, babies, etc.)

Photos (please include photos with your submissions if possible!)

Keep an eye out for the quarterly email containing the link to submit an entry! WE would love to feature you.

And a big thank you to everyone who submitted a story for this Spring issue!

Where would WE be without our customers? We always strive for excellence in customer service and want to make sure that each customer has the easiest, most enjoyable experience possible. When performance is especially stellar, WE always appreciate it when our customers drop us a 5-star review!

“Came in late on Friday with some issues had them replace the carrier bearing, and 3 joints, later that day found the front differential to be shot. Ordered one and had it Monday morning. They stayed 3 hours late to finish the truck because I was in a hurry. The service manager is top notch and great to work with and to all the techs that worked on my truck great work. I’ll make it a point to point guys your way in the area and schedule down time for y’all to service my truck. Thanks again. Top notch service and cheaper than normal prices.” MATTHEW

Summerville, SC

“Tim in parts was real helpful. Had was able to give me the information about the parts I needed, even though it was for a real old truck.”

EL BE AM RTHHYIC GIBSON Huntington, WV

What can MARKETING do for you?

The answer? A lot! From ordering merchandise to submitting to WE the People, here’s how to get the most out of your marketing department portal.

B. MERCHANDISE SHOP

1. Read ALL of the notes on the Main Screen and click “Begin Order”

2. Navigate through the pages as needed, making note of items you want to order on the form.

3. When you’ve selected everything you wish to order, click “Enter Billing Info & Complete Order”

4. Enter your Contact Information, Shipping Address, and Billing Information

5. Click “Submit Order”

THE NOTES

• Items are distributed on a first come, first served basis. If we are choosing not to restock an item, it will be removed from the shop as soon as it’s gone. For that reason, we may be able to only partially fill orders from time to time. You won’t be charged for anything that wasn’t received.

• All 3-5 business days for your order to SHIP.

• Orders may only be placed through the merchandise shop. No orders are taken via phone, email, or in-person

• Orders are billed to the division and department you reference on the form. Orders cannot be paid for personally (credit card, cash, etc.)

• If you list a non-WE address, your order will be voided.

• Currently, we don’t have the capability for “order approvals.” Therefore, you need to get approval from your supervisor BEFORE you place an order. The marketing department will not verify with your supervisor for you, so make sure the proper people know you’re placing an order.

C. ORDER BANNERS, FLYERS, & POSTERS

1. Read ALL of the notes on the Main Screen and click “Begin Order”

2. Navigate through the pages as needed, making note of items you want to order on the form.

3. When you’ve selected everything you wish to order, click “Enter Billing Info & Complete Order”

4. Enter your Contact Information, Shipping Address, and Billing Information

5. Click “Submit Order”

A. ORDER BUSINESS CARDS

If you don’t have an account, click “Need An Account?” and create a new one.

1. Log In

2. Click Printed Materials

3. Find Your Card (WE, WE Lease, or Corporate) *Corporate Cards are only available for Corporate Employees. If you place an order for corporate cards and you are not corporate, your order will be denied*

4. Select the desired quantity on the right

5. Scroll to top or bottom of page and click “Add Item(s) to Cart”

6. Fill out preview information and click “Update Preview”

7. If the preview looks correct, click “Add to Cart”

8. If the preview is incorrect, make changes and click “Update Preview” until you have desired information

9. In your cart, fill out your Project Information, Contact Information, Billing Information, and Shipping Address and click “Submit Order for Approval”

D. SUBMIT TO WE THE PEOPLE

You can submit to WE the People ANYTIME throughout the year. Company-wide emails will go out letting you know the deadline to make it in a specific edition, but if you miss the deadline, YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT; your submission will just be in the next edition.

Magazines come out in January, April, July, and October

1. Fill out your division, name, and submission(s)

2. Include pictures when relevant and possible

F. HELPFUL INFORMATION

THE NOTES

• All 5-7 business day turnaround for your items to be completed

• Orders may only be placed through the banners, flyers, posters shop. No orders are taken via phone, email, or in-person

• Orders are billed to the division and department you reference on the form. Orders cannot be paid for personally (credit card, cash, etc.)

• If you list a non-WE address, your order will be voided.

E. RESERVE TRADE SHOW DISPLAYS

1. Fill out your name (or the name of the person who is picking up the display)

2. Fill out the days and times you plan to pick up and drop off the display

3. Select which kind of event you’re attending so that proper materials can be prepared for you

NOTE If you schedule your pickup time LESS THAN 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE, your reservation will be voided.

i. Brand Standards - Information on our visual identity including logos, colors and fonts, photographing, etc.

ii. Email Signatures - Download and follow the instructions in the document to ensure your email signature is correct. Please stick to the format. You may be asked to correct your signature if it’s incorrect.