Meet Charles White: March 2025 Employee of the Month

Change is inevitable, but how someone handles it speaks volumes about their character. You see, change is about adapting. It's about turning new information into positive actions and approaching situations with an open mind. But for everything change brings, growth is the most valuable. As we dive feet-first into new experiences, we use those moments to help ourselves and others improve. March's Employee of the Month is no stranger to adjusting on the fly and keeping calm during high-stress situations. Their positive attitude and dedication to helping the team succeed have earned them respect across the company. Most importantly, their "How can I help you?" approach to work has raised the bar for everyone around them. With that in mind, we present March's KrisTech Employee of the Month, Respool Shift Leader Charles White!

Whatever It Takes

KrisTech's recent ERP launch was a massive undertaking and impacted nearly every facet of our daily work. Charles and his team embraced the opportunity, seamlessly transitioning from one system to the next. "One of the biggest struggles has been getting the respool area reorganized and materials flowing to the machines," Director of Operations Larry Reed said. "Charles has been working on getting all the Mon-Fri boxes cleaned out and organized, drastically improving the material flow within the area. Our OPP has improved considerably since launch. Charles consistently holds his team and himself to high expectations, positively impacting late orders and the overall flow of material through Respool." But Charles doesn't rely solely on his team to get things done. He helps set the tone for those around him. "Charles is here early, stays late when needed, and has a whatever-it-takes mindset," Reed explained. "If something is urgent, Charles gets it done, even if it means doing it himself. He's not afraid to get dirty and set an example. For these efforts, he's often shouted out by his team for all the help and support he gives them."

Setting Others Up for Success

Change can be frightening, but it also provides us with opportunities to learn and grow. Charles has fully embraced the ongoing ERP rollout, willingly sharing his expertise with others. The result is a faster, stronger, more productive team. "Charles consistently helps to correct ERP issues in the system and assists the respool team with any questions or concerns," Reed remarked. "Charles also goes out of his way to ensure his team has what they need to be successful, including tools, supplies, mentoring, and coaching when needed." At the end of the day, Charles' ability to roll with the punches, find positive ways to tackle problems, and willingly embrace change has made him a crucial member of the overnight team. "Charles treats his team with respect and has earned the respect of his team, other supervisors, and leadership," says Reed.

Celebrating Our Nominees

As we celebrate Charles White for earning Employee of the Month, several others were nominated for the award, including: Will Potter - Will has taken the lead in orchestrating, documenting, training, and supporting the team through key improvements—all with the care and attention that truly reflects what it means to Lead by Example. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure everything is accurate and complete and takes pride in getting things done correctly the first time. His participation in cycle counts ensures we have the right product, helping us avoid stockouts and keep operations running smoothly. Will's initiative, ownership, and proactive mindset have had a big impact, giving us confidence in what we have in our inventory and our ability to deliver. Scott Beckwith - Mapping out schedules for almost 2,000 orders and 7,000 lines with precision, adapting to unexpected detours, and ensuring every moving piece aligns perfectly, Scott has orchestrated our operations with the expertise of a world-class explorer. No shifting priority is too challenging, no logistical puzzle too complex, and no lack of operators too large to overcome. With a masterful ability to chart the most efficient course, Scott has kept us on track, ensuring our ERP transition, while not without turbulence, still has us on track to hit our goals. Scott's dedication, foresight, and ability to turn challenges into victories are remarkable, especially while remaining available and responsive to the commercial team and our customers. Come back next month to find out who joins Charles, Kelly, David, Justin, and Drew on their quest to become our 2025 Employee of the Year!