To read in another language, CLICK HERE!

Welcome to the BW Recognition & Celebration Newsletter

Recognizing and celebrating team members across Barry-Wehmiller for their contributions to our vision of people and performance in harmony is not only the right thing to do, it is a fundamental value of our culture. 

Through the Every Voice Matters survey many of you shared the desire to see more recognition, and in response to that we encourage everyone, everywhere, to join us here in highlighting all of the great things happening across Barry-Wehmiller.

This newsletter will serve to celebrate a variety of achievements across the globe and showcase areas of our BW Recognition & Celebration culture from the Bob Chapman GPL Award program, the Shine the Light Award program, the CIA2 Sales Empowerment program, and more!

Do you have an idea for a story we could highlight in our next newsletter? 

Send it to recognition@barry-wehmiller.com.

Jim Borch

Baltimore, MD USA

Jim Borch, Mechanical Engineering Leader for BW Papersystems Hunt Valley team was recognized with a 2024 Bob Chapman GPL Award. Nominator Marc Marlatt, President BW Papersystems said:

 "Over the last three and a half years, Jim Borch has been instrumental in the creation of our FlexPro product line. From inspiration to concept…from concept to development…from development to full-scale production capabilities. Jim’s work led to a product that will be a cornerstone for our business…will secure our future for decades to come…and most importantly…provide livelihoods for hundreds of people on both sides of the Atlantic."

On behalf of the entire organization, we'd like to express our gratitude for your exceptional contributions,which support us on our journey to achieve people and performance in harmony.

Ivana Stiković

Čačak, Serbia

BW Converting Nominator Dimitrije Slavković shared:

"By making extraordinary efforts, in difficult circumstances, Ivana does not allow the lack of staff in the position of quality engineer in assembly to be felt. In October 2023, with three employees in that position, we set standards for inspection and reporting on assembly in terms of timeframe and quality levels. Successively, we lost two employees (one transfer and one departure), but thanks to Ivana's efforts in the form of overtime, weekend work and enormous commitment, we continue to submit reports for each machine within 24 hours and in the given quality, without errors. I'd like to thank her for her hard work."

Angel Oyola Mercado 

Houston, TX USA

BW Design Group Nominator Jerry Rodriguez shared:

"Angel Oyola joined the Gattefosse team late in the fall of 2023 to help support completion and start documentation for utilities and mechanical scope of this challenging project. Angel stepped up to the plate and has performed at the utmost level. Angel Oyola' s work has earned him the trust from the client and DG pros. Angel has demonstrated to have an exceptional talent with his skill set which is not an easy one, having to review prints, operational requirements and then verifying equipment and utilities in the field. Gattefosse team is very fortunate to have Angel on the project. Angel also guides and trains DG pros who are not as proficient with these types of processes including myself."

Kyle Doan

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

BW Packaging Nominator Brad Van Nieuwenhuizen shared:

"Kyle, being one of our newest and younger team members has enthusiastically taken on any tasks sent his way and has always carried himself like a veteran professional. I am proud and grateful for Kyle’s continuous growth and dedication to his fellow team members, our organization, and our customers. Recently, I received a phone call from a Project Manager at our customer Tropicana in Florida, where Kyle has been a key part of the field service starting-up the UFO 6 Orienter Line. The project manager offered praise for Kyle’s efforts in ensuring a smooth start-up of the 11oz product and went on to say, “Kyle not only looked after our machine, but actively offered help to resolve issues on other parts of the line”. The project manager finished the call with me by saying “you’ve got a good one”. We certainly do have a “good one” in Kyle and it is my pleasure to recognize him for this Shine the Light award. Kyle, you truly deserve this award and embody our values genuinely and we could not be prouder. Congratulations Kyle."

Annette Protivinsky

Phillips, WI USA

BW Papersystems Nominator April Medrano shared:

"Annette is the first face you see when you come in the front door at BWP-Phillips. She is the first voice you hear when you call. She greets everyone and instantly conveys our culture. She makes it a point to know everyone. Once she meets a new vendor she remembers them. She is very personable and friendly. Her organization of the housing and cars helps visitors know they are taken care of. When she made reservations for me when I was a new hire she made me feel very welcome and protected. She makes everyone in the organization feel that they are a VIP."

YWCA STL Recipients

St. Louis, MO USA

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) provides a variety of crucial services to eliminate racism and empower women such as creating safe places for women and girls, building strong women leaders, and advocating for women’s rights and civil rights in Congress on topics such as equality, financial stability, self-sufficiency, and well-being. As a YWCA Partner, Barry-Wehmiller’s contribution helps recognize women’s leadership in the workplace, highlighting their efforts to promote racial justice and to positively influence colleagues.

In December, Barry-Wehmiller had the opportunity to recognize nine rising women leaders of our St. Louis offices who joined BW Chief People Officer Rhonda Spencer at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel for the YWCA Metro St. Louis' 43rd annual leader lunch. The Leaders in the Workplace program gives employers the opportunity to honor select employees for their contributions in the workplace. These women receive acknowledgement at the leader lunch event and in the program.

The nine women leaders recognized at the YWCA St. Louis Leader Lunch for 2023 were Grace Fechter, Nadia Vitale, Rachel Bishop, Becca Oswald, Anne Stotler, Christina Bouapha, Christi Emmenegger and Mary Rudder. Also recognized but not able to attend the lunch was Teresa Sanzottera. Each were nominated by a BW Senior Leadership Team Leader or former 2022 Recipient for their exceptional contributions to our Leader Commitments.

ESGR Patriot Award

Phillips, WI USA

In June,  BW Papersystems Current Product Improvement Engineer John Berlyn was nominated for and presented the Patriot Award by Internal Commissioning Intern Peter Ulrich on behalf of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). This award recognizes supervisors and bosses nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominator. Spouses of Service members are also eligible to nominate their supportive supervisor.

Peter, who is currently serving in the Wisconsin Army Reserve, said “My supervisor deserves this recognition because he never fails to support me in my Army and civilian career. John who is also a proud Army Veteran, has shared many experiences about being in the Army. This has helped form a solid mentorship." 

In his nomination, Peter further stated:

"John always seems to share some advice on regular day to day life when he is asked or is able to provide an answer about a work-related problem. When I do come to him, he challenges me to research and understand the problem which often leads to me figuring out the solution. I use this strategy when I go to Drill. When I am faced with adversity, I take a step back and view the problem from a different perspective. This allows me to be more efficient and confident in the uniform and at the workplace. I respect john as a leader as he will listen to what you are saying and take in all the information before delivering a calculated response. This is also another strategy I try and use in my interactions with people. There are many lessons I have learned from John, and I look forward to coming to work at knowing my supervisor will have my back."

Mike Peplinski

Remote, USA

Senior Sales Leader Mike Peplinski retired a few months ago, but we wanted to recognize his amazing and incredible CIA2 legacy with BW Papersystems. Here are a few words from his former Leader Pete Bickford, VP Sales North America, Finishing Equipment:

"Mike booked almost $300 million in new equipment orders at BW Papersystems. An extraordinary run, here were some highlights from his performance: 

• Eleven CEO level commitments achieved 

• Twenty Executive Platinum commitments achieved • Ten Platinum commitments achieved 

• Two Gold commitments achieved  

• Three Silver commitments achieved  

• One Bronze commitments achieved   

It was an honor working with Mike, and we miss his amazing contributions."

Click here to learn more about our recognition programs!