(BLE Editor’s Note: J.W. Wickersham is a member of BLE Division 188 in Superior, Wisc.)
MONTREAL, QUEBEC–Canadian National – North America’s Railroad – recently named 19 northwestern Wisconsin residents (from Alma Center, Arpin, Ashland, Gilman, Hurley, Kennan, Ladysmith, Prentice, Sheldon, Solon Springs, South Range, Tony and Withee) as winners of its CN President’s Awards for Excellence for 2002. In this year’s edition of the annual employee awards program, a record 146 employees from throughout the CN network have earned recognition for their individual and team achievements in various areas, including Safety, Customer Focus, and Bravery and Exceptional Community Service.
Through its annual President’s Awards program, the company recognizes employees and teams whose spirit, ingenuity and drive have helped make CN North America’s best railroad. This year’s presentation took place on October 18.
“CN takes great pride in its employees’ accomplishments,” says Paul Tellier, CN President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our 2002 awards are particularly significant: this is the largest field of recipients since we started the awards program, and we have honored many of our newest employees – people in CN’s Wisconsin Central Division. Solid team and individual initiatives from all areas of the company are helping us make great strides to take CN to its next level – North America’s best transportation company.”
The following northwestern Wisconsin residents (listed here by hometown) have received CN President’s Awards for 2002:
Customer Focus category – White Pine Team
The Customer Focus category recognizes employees who demonstrate a true passion for customer service by understanding and anticipating the needs of customers, and exceeding their expectations. The White Pine Team’s plan and quick action prevented White Pine Copper Refinery Inc. from having to shut down when this area was flooded in April. The result was that the refinery avoided substantial losses in terms of delayed deliveries and lost production.
— Douglas K. Webster, Laborer A, Alma Center
— Brad R. Dupee, Laborer A, Arpin
— Fred. S. Nafey, Foreman B, Ashland
— Brian Tucci, Conductor, Ashland
— Randy Nichols, Machine Operator A, Gilman
— Joseph W. Dennis, Foreman B, Hurley
— James W. Mabie Sr., Laborer, Kennan
— Kenneth F. Feucht, Manager Maintenance, Ladysmith
— Albert J. Hoecherl, Laborer A, Ladysmith
— Wayne A. Phetteplace, Laborer A, Ladysmith
— Duane E. Webster, Machine Operator B, Ladysmith
— William J. Lange, Foreman B, Prentice
— Jack Bratanich, Foreman A, Sheldon
— Gerard J. Jiskra, Machine Operator A, Sheldon
— Brent Ogle, Machine Operator B, Sheldon
— John Wickersham, Engineer – Extra Board, Solon Springs
— Gary E. Bright, Assistant Superintendent, South Range
— Lyle Nelson, Laborer A, Tony
— Corey S. Quante, Laborer A, Withee
Each year, CN employees nominate their deserving colleagues as candidates for the CN President’s Awards for Excellence program. For 2002, employees and teams from throughout the company have been selected to receive the President’s Awards for Excellence for achievements in: Safety, New Business Opportunities, Customer Focus, People Leadership, Cost Effectiveness, Operational Breakthrough, Bravery and Exceptional Community Service, and Diversity. The CN President’s Awards program honors recipients with awards plaques, plus recognition in various CN and external publications.
Canadian National Railway Company spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Winnipeg, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America.