Some people like to say, “change is good.”
Yeah, well, those people are wrong.
Clearly, those folks have never dealt with the weight of new software rollouts, pricing updates, unclear tariff impacts, or a logo change at Cracker Barrel that forced them to think about a subpar breakfast chain selling kitschy tourist-trap items.
Around here, we know the truth: all change is at least a little bad. It’s disruptive, it’s inconvenient, and it usually involves a LOT of remote training.
And yet, while many of us mutter under our breath and cling to the comfort of “the way it’s always been,” August’s Employee of the Month somehow doesn’t just survive change; they embrace it. Not only do they roll with the punches, but they make it look easy, like they had a front-row seat to the instruction manual that never existed until they created it.
While we continue our noble fight against the chaos of change, let’s celebrate the rare soul who makes it look like a walk in the park: Our August 2025 Employee of the Month: Nadine Almond!
When it comes to responding to customers, Nadine doesn’t set the bar. She picks it up, polishes it, and sets it somewhere so high the rest of us need a ladder just to wave at it.
“Nadine is fast, thoughtful, and reliable, and her responsiveness is consistently the best on the team,” Sales Director Aaron Reighard said. “She is responding to leads in less time than a certain pizza chain claimed it could deliver orders during the early 1990s. We know it, but more importantly, our customers know it, too.”
So, who is currently singing Nadine’s praises? It’s a laundry list of high-quality names and faces, including some heavy-hitting industry types. But for a company priding itself on speed, thoroughness, and doing what’s best for the customer, Nadine embodies every part of living the Kris-Tech Way.
From attending training sessions and workshops to creating training documents for sales team members, Nadine has been a driving force behind Kris-Tech’s ERP adoption.
Unsurprisingly, jumping into an entirely new system feet-first can be daunting to say the least. But Nadine’s willingness to take charge, roll with the punches, and share her knowledge with those around her pay dividends.
“Nadine’s willingness as an early adopter, her efforts in creating test scripts and training materials, her positive attitude when it comes to the platform, and her ability to take everything in stride make her successful,” Kris-Tech’s Business Applications Manager Drew Herbert explained. “She sees speed bumps as an opportunity to learn and grow, as opposed to a block or stopping point, and it has been tremendous.”
Nadine is August’s Employee of the Month, but several others were in contention for this month’s crown, including:
Darrick Findley – Darrick defines reliability and integrity. As a Maintenance Mechanic, his loyalty, consistency, and dedication to doing things the right way help set the standard for the entire team. He works closely with multiple teams to keep machines running and costs under control. He also brings a constantly positive and constructive attitude to the table, making him great to work with across shifts and departments.
The bottom line is Darrick’s mix of integrity, cost-consciousness, and team spirit makes him indispensable. He protects KT’s assets, drives savings, and uplifts those around him.
Jarett Ianotti – Jarett consistently goes above and beyond for the company, showing his exceptional dedication, initiative, and commitment to excellence. His performance stands out as a floater, where he took on the tasks of learning E4, E5, E1, and E6, on top of the E3 line he already managed. He also works closely with other departments, including the Engineering team, to proactively find solutions and complete projects.
Along with his excellent work habits, Jarett is a great coach and mentor, constantly sharing his knowledge and expertise with new hires. His flexibility, positive attitude, and support have created a more cohesive and productive work environment, setting a high standard for performance and professionalism.
Join us in a few weeks to see who joins Nadine, Alfonso, Justin, Kristy, Thomas, Charles, Kelly, David, Justin, and Drew as our 2025 Employee of the Year nominees!
