ControlTek Employees Support the US Military

Controltek Is A Great Place To Work

You couldn't beat the weather on August 31, 2007.  The sun was shining and the air was warm; perfect for a BBQ.  ControlTek’s 135 employees enjoyed the weather and the food from the grill  but the mood was somber.  The next week, ControlTek’s President, Andy LaFrazia would be departing for a 6 month military activation in Iraq as a unit commander 557th Red Horse Unit.

Ask any employee their feelings about Andy's departure and you would receive a mixed bag of responses ranging from tremendously proud to deep concern.  You see, Andy has more than a Presidential role at ControlTek.  He has a deep connection with his employees.  He feels personally responsible for each employee and wants to ensure that they will have a reliable job that they enjoy coming to everyday.  In fact, one of the company’s pillars of business is to provide “A Great Place To Work.”  Each employee understands and appreciates the commitment Andy has made to them and the news of his departure affected them as if a friend was going to war, not just a boss.

ControlTek employees decided to embrace Andy’s departure & return the commitment he has made to them by supporting US Military Troops and Iraqi civilians.  The Company announced that matching donations would be made dollar for dollar, doubling the total donations.  Below are just some of the items donated by ControlTek employees:

557th Recreation Room Kitchen Fundraiser – The 557th has access to a recreation room with a kitchen and wanted to share some group meals together.  However, the kitchen was not conducive to cooking for a large group and lacked many necessary supplies.  ControlTek employees donated cooking utensils, plastic flatware, paper plates, and a George Foreman Grill!  They even gathered enough pasta and sauce for Andy’s unit to hold a spaghetti feed!

Christmas Comes to Al Asad Airbase – There aren’t any fire places to hang stockings with care at Al Asad Airbase, but that didn’t stop ControlTek employees from sending soldiers stockings, home-made goodies, candy and Christmas decorations to Iraq.

Snacks For Soldiers – One large shopping trip to Costco rounded up plenty of snacks for soldiers.  ControlTek matched employee donations by filling up two shopping carts fulls of beef jerky, granola bars, trail mix, dried fruit and nuts and shipped it to Iraq.

Village of Hope – In the Al Anbar province of Iraq there is a decimated village nicknamed “Village of Hope” by the US military.  It earned the nickname when soldiers began working with villagers to rebuild their homes and schools.  The villagers are living in extreme poverty so when the soldiers asked ControlTek to help, employees responded.  Children’s shoes, fabric for clothing and blankets, and soccer balls were shipped to the soldiers for distribution in the Village of Hope.

If you ask me, what makes ControlTek a great place to work are its employees.  It’s difficult not to be moved when a group of people come together and give selflessly of their time, money and talents just as our employees have done.  As Andy finished out his time in Iraq, employees continue to as “What can I do to help?” as if what they have done so far is not enough.  They are truly remarkable, just like their President.

Stacey Smith
Vice President of Human Resources