Human Technologies Certified to ISO9001:2015
In March 2017, Human Technologies successfully passed their ISO9001:2015 certification audit and became one of the first companies in New York State to become certified to the current ISO revision. The certification covers Warehousing & Distribution and Manufacturing & Packaging, their largest lines of business. The company was previously certified to the ISO9001:2008 standard. The ISO9001:2015 standard focuses on risk analysis and proactive risk management, and much of the prescriptive procedure-based record creation requirements have been replaced by a broader definition of “information that the organization has to control and maintain.” These changes required the Human Technologies management team, process-owners, and internal auditors to be completely re-trained before implementing the necessary modifications to processes and their related documentation and procedures. “Our team did an exceptional job of moving from a ‘follow the procedure’ mindset to a broader, more comprehensive approach to our processes” said Gregory Frank, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risk is now the ongoing responsibility of the entire organization, not just a handful of managers.” ISO9001 is an internationally recognized quality standard used by companies to certify their management systems are appropriate, controlled, documented, and effective. Human Technologies’ registrar, Quality Management Inc., is accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board.
CONGRESSWOMAN TENNEY, CHAMPIONS HUMAN TECHNOLOGIES
Employees at Human Technologies and members of the company’s Inspirational Storytellers group attended the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting with newly elected Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, where they had the opportunity to meet the Congresswoman and share their experiences and how employment is so important for people with disabilities. The Congresswoman shared that she has heard a lot of great things about Human Technologies and assured the group that coming to Utica for site tours will be a priority for her in 2017. The Inspirational Storytellers is a grassroots effort organized by Human Technologies to provide training and coaching to employees with disabilities, and provide opportunities for them to share stories of their challenges and successes with community groups, government leaders, and other businesses and organizations. Many have attended SourceAmerica’s annual Grassroots Advocacy Conference where they meet directly with members of Congress about the importance of providing employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. Click here for more of their stories.
Human Technologies Attends SHOT Show
As part of their commitment as a supplier to the U.S. Department of State’s Anti-Terrorist and Diplomatic Security programs, members of the Human Technologies Operations and Procurement department attended the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) and Conference in Las Vegas in January. The SHOT Show is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries, with over 1600 exhibitors and 64,000 industry professionals in attendance. Gregory Frank, Chief Operating Officer, says, “The four day show gives us the opportunity to meet face to face with all of our key suppliers, and to discover new products which may be of interest to our customers.” Human Technologies provides supply chain management services to federal, New York State, and commercial customers, procuring and distributing over $28M of tactical equipment, training accessories, uniforms, and apparel each year. Click here to find out more.
Forest Safety Products selects Human Technologies to Manufacture Case for Chainsaw Trauma Kits.
In December 2016, Human Technologies completed production for its first order of cases for a new line of Chainsaw Trauma Kits offered by Forest Safety Products. The case is part of a compact, lightweight kit that carries essential supplies needed in the event of a significant logging injury. With its rapid access ribbon, the case has been designed for one-handed operation when a person is under extreme duress and needs to administer first aid to themselves or someone else. Forest Safety Products decided to develop, market, and sell a new line of state-of-the-art trauma kits for the logging industry because existing kits were antiquated, both in the make-up of their first aid components and their lack of ease of use. The owner of Forest Safety Products, Steve Reichenbach, sought out Human Technologies to help him refine the concept for the case and solve his manufacturing needs. Through the course of several months of collaboration with HT staff and employees, the case and access ribbon were finalized. All of the sewing and embroidery work on these components is completed by Human Technologies’ employees. “I loved the face-to-face interaction with the people at Human Technologies,” said Steve. “Our ability to work through the issues together were invaluable.” Steve also stated that he was glad to be able to support HT’s mission of Creating Employment for People with Disabilities. According to Steve, the case and trauma kit have been well-received in the marketplace. Forest Safety Products is currently working on other potential projects that would involve Human Technologies and their sewing capabilities. Steve is as excited to bring these new opportunities to HT as they are to work with him. Click here to find out more.
Human Technologies Announced Board Appointments
Human Technologies announced the appointment of one new member and four officers to the Board of Directors. Anne Bonsted, a retired special education teacher, is joining the Board. The officers are Chairman Scott McCartney of Ascent Wealth Partners, Vice Chairman James Stewart of Stewart Consulting, LLC, Treasurer John Bullis, Dean Emeritus of MVCC, and Secretary Denise Snyder of NBT Bank. Anne Bonsted, the newest member of the board, was appointed to a three year term. Anne has over 30 years of experience working in education, most recently as a teacher of special education at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES. She stays connected to BOCES as a member of the CTE Consultant Committee. Anne will add value to the Human Technologies Board through her knowledge and experience of teaching students with disabilities. A number of Anne’s students participated in internships at HT and during a recent tour she commented that, “She enjoyed seeing so many of the same employees still working for the organization.” The newly elected officers have been actively involved with the Board of Directors over the past several years and share a combined board experience of 23 years. After a decade of service, Andrea LaGatta stepped down from her board seat due to the term limit being met. At the Annual Meeting the Board of Directors and employees thanked Andrea, with special recognition for her leadership as Chair and Secretary. Andrea expressed that, “It has been a pleasure being part of an amazing group of community leaders.” Human Technologies (HT) is a social enterprise with a vision to be an extraordinary world class business of choice, creating global collaborative transformation by unleashing human potential through employment. HT’s board members are volunteers and they are responsible for governing the organization and leading the strategic vision for fulfilling the mission of creating employment for people with disabilities. Click here to meet our Leadership.
Human Technologies recognizes two employees for 35 years of service
At Human Technologies’ Annual Recognition and Awards Holiday Luncheon Anne Campbell and Ann Marie Catrombone were honored for their 35 years of continuous employment with the company. Each were provided with $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. Anne selected the American Cancer Society and Ann Marie chose to divide her donation equally between the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. Both women presented their donations personally to representatives of the charities prior to the luncheon. The longest tenured employees at Human Technologies, Anne and Ann Marie have spent the majority of their careers in the company’s manufacturing and packaging departments, applying their skills to numerous federal contracts for the Department of Defense as well as many commercial products. Click here to find out more.
Cheryl Pfendler joins Human Technologies as Quality Systems Manager
Cheryl Pfendler has joined Human Technologies as our Quality Systems Manager, a position created to support our continued growth. Ms. Pfendler will be responsible for overseeing our transition from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO9001:2015, establishing and managing an improved quality system for Environmental Services, and providing additional quality control, assurance, and compliance oversight throughout the organization. Ms. Pfendler previously worked for Remet Corporation as their Quality Assurance and Compliance Director, where she managed the ISO 9001:2008 quality system, as well as safety and training programs, in Utica and at several Remet sites across the United States. She holds a bachelors of science degree in Community and Human Services from the State University of New York, Empire State college, and a masters of science in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University.
Spice Up Your Life in Utica!
Human Technologies (HT) participated in the Downtown Getdown, a walkable Music & Arts festival organized by Made In Utica. HT was a high-five sponsor and a vendor. Human Technologies unveiled a new product line of spice blends and rubs. They shared samples of pork covered in Uncle Denny’s Mill Hollow pork rub, salmon lathered with Aunt Sue’s salmon rub, and hot dogs smothered in Uncle Ed’s hot dog caviar. Spices were sold at the Oneida County Public Market and Franklin Square. These spice blends were developed in partnership with people from the community. HT’s intention is to license the recipes from individuals and work at marketing and selling the products to create employment for people with disabilities. HT is working with a commercial blender to ensure high quality and consistency. Would you consider entering into a royalty agreement with HT to license a recipe of your own? HT is open to opportunities. To purchase these special spice blends or discuss licensing please call 315-570-6908.
Carl Reistrom joins Human Technologies as Chief Financial Officer
Carl Reistrom has joined Human Technologies as our Chief Financial Officer, replacing Barbara DeAngelis, who is retiring in November. Mr. Reistrom previously worked as the Corporate Comptroller at JMA Wireless and as the Vice President Comptroller and Treasurer of WYNIT Inc. in Syracuse. He brings over 23 years of experience in financial management, benefits administration, and planning and forecasting in manufacturing and distribution companies. Mr. Reistrom is a certified public accountant (CPA) and holds a bachelors of science degree in accounting from the State University of New York, College at Oswego.
Human Technologies creates a clean and safe environment at the Great New York State Fair!
Human Technologies’ Environmental Services division provided trash removal and grounds maintenance services to the Great New York State Fair for the seventh consecutive year, once again earning high marks for keeping the fairgrounds clean and safe for the record number of fair goers. The Fair spans 12 days from late August to Labor Day and requires over 110 workers and 14 supervisors on three shifts to police the grounds, empty trash and recyclable containers, and provide special pre and post event cleaning services. We also work in the days prior to the fair and provide four days of post-fair clean up. In 2016, we also cleaned and maintained 26 men’s and women’s external restrooms, employing another 80+ workers and supervisors. All told, Human Technologies hired 375 workers and supervisors. Our Human Resources department accomplishes this by hosting and staffing five or more job fairs in the Syracuse area, starting in May of each year. Our Operations staff, lead by Dave Mentus and Frank Castellano, then train the new hires, schedules the shifts, and manages the dynamic and complicated logistics of a multi-shift, multi-venue. We are proud of our record of cleanliness and safety, especially as each year the Fair sees record setting crowds. This year’s attendance set the all-time record of 1,117,630, including five days exceeding 100,000 visitors. That’s a lot of trash, and a lot of flushes! Human Technologies thanks New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and New York Industries for the Disabled (NYSID) for the opportunity to further our mission and provide employment to so many people with disabilities in the Greater Syracuse area.
Trevor Pumilio recognized for his excellence!
Each year, NYSID sponsors the Joslin Awards Program, which celebrates exceptional job performance and personal growth by individuals with disabilities employed on New York State Preferred Source contracts. The program was established in 2004 to honor the memory of William B. Joslin, former Chief Executive Officer of Human Technologies Corporation and NYSID Board Member, who lived a life of championing employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities. Our nominee for this year was Trevor Pumilio, who has worked in Environmental Services at many of our most demanding sites, and now works at the McPike Addiction Treatment Center. Trevor was nominated by his supervisor Randy Barber, and received a check from NYSID for $500 at his awards lunch at Human Technologies’ offices. He will again be recognized in front of the entire company at our Annual Holiday Awards Luncheon in December at the Radisson Hotel. Read his inspirational story below. Trevor is no stranger to the janitorial field. He started work right after high school, and has been in the trade for 13 years. Trevor was originally hired by Human Technologies in 2008 as a temporary employee to clean at Herkimer Community College. In that job, he showed his dedication to learning and excelling at his work. Due to his disability, Trevor needs time and repetition to learn each task. He overcame this challenge by working with a job coach and taking the timenecessary to clearly understand each task. In this job, his confidence flourished and he applied for and was hired as a full-time employee. He has since maintained eight years of employment at Human Technologies. Currently, Trevor is a custodian at McPike OASAS Addiction Treatment Center. One of the things he likes about his job is that it keeps him busy. “Without a job, I would sit home and be bored,” he said. Trevor also likes the appreciation he receives from his supervisor and the patients at McPike. Recognition for the work he does is really important to him. Trevor’s motivation shows not only at work, but also in his desire to help communities in need. In 2014, he traveled to Peru and volunteered for two weeks at a preschool. In 2015, he spent four weeks in Costa Rica as a volunteer for an animal rescue center. Both were at his own expense. Through work, Trevor is able to fund his desire to travel, camp, fish, and attend concerts. Trevor would like others to know that people with disabilities are very capable. “I can do good work and I know other people can do good work, too,” he said. “Just as good as anyone else, if not better.” As a valued employee at Human Technologies, Trevor has proven this to be true.
Human Technologies’ USDA-Forest Service uniform program featured in Workplace Magazine
September 27, 2016 AbilityOne nonprofit agency, Human Technologies of Utica, New York, supplies field, dress, law enforcement and volunteer uniforms to 18,000 U.S. Forest Service workers each year. The Forest Service manages and protects 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states and Puerto Rico, encompassing 193,000,000 acres. Human Technologies provides 139 uniform items to employees in the National Forest System and Law Enforcement & Investigations divisions of the agency. The program is designed to give workers a consistent appearance throughout all geographic regions of the Forest Service, making it easy for the public to identify agency employees. To provide an easy ordering experience, Human Technologies created an online store and accounts for each employee, allowing them to order items over a secure internet portal. The web site tracks and displays the balance of their annual uniform allowance, keeping a running total of purchases and returns, to help them manage their account. The online store is integrated with Human Technologies’ Warehouse Management System, so orders are automatically sent to the Distribution Center for picking, processing and shipping. Human Technologies works closely with the Forest Service to provide the items their employees need to do their jobs effectively. When the agency needs to add an item to the uniform program, Human Technologies researches and sources it for them. “The Forest Service has a wide variety of needs, from office apparel to back-country clothing, and we can only procure material and products from a short list of approved countries, which makes the sourcing more challenging. They appreciate our apparel expertise, as well as our supply chain management capabilities,” said Greg Frank, chief operating officer, Human Technologies. The uniform program is always evolving. Human Technologies implements product enhancements and introduces new products to the program as the Forest Service’s needs change. The number of items Human Technologies provides has increased by 10 percent since the contract was awarded in 2007; and the uniform offering was significantly overhauled in 2012, with modifications to features, colors, and materials. “The Forest Service leans on Human Technologies to be their eyes and ears in the apparel industry…It’s up to Human Technologies to go out and find actual product—or design and develop it—that will meet [the Forest Service’s needs],” said Gary Poindexter, senior project manager, SourceAmerica. Human Technologies employs 16 people on the Forest Service contract, 13 of whom have significant disabilities. Employees work in customer service, warehouse operations, shipping and receiving, sewing, embroidery, screen printing, tailoring, kitting and order fulfillment. Every customer order is picked, personalized, kitted and sent directly to the employee. Human Technologies is required to ship orders within three business days. In 2014, they shipped 16,578 orders, which included 80,300 individual items. The average days to ship were 1.29, with a picking accuracy of 99.91% percent and an overall product quality of 99.89%. “[The Forest Service] is very happy that they can contact one source to take care of all of their needs. Our employees take great pride in their work and go the extra mile to ensure the Forest Service employees have what they need, when they need it,” Frank said. The success of this program has led to other large uniform management and apparel contracts, including the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Air Force and several U.S. Department of Agriculture bureaus as well as commercial contracts with the Texas A&M and Florida Forest Services.
Human Technologies makes donation to Rome Rescue Mission’s, Mobile Mission Initiative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmUa7lorbSU At the Rome Chamber Business After Hours on April 7, one of our long time employees Richard Lasher presented a check on behalf of Human Technologies to the Rome Rescue Mission for their Mobile Mission. Human Technologies is honored to contribute to this crucial project which will give the Rome Rescue Mission a way to reach those in need who have transportation challenges. We believe that work done well makes everything possible and the work of our employees helps to transform the community in which they live. It is the commitment to the power of work by our employees, that positions us to be able to contribute to this project.
Human Technologies Announces Appointment of President/CEO
The Human Technologies Board of Directors announces the appointment of Tim Giarrusso as President/CEO. Tim has 28 years of experience in the for-profit sector and seven years in the not-for-profit sector. In his former role as the Chief Operating Officer at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired/Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, Tim had the opportunity to be part of a vibrant not-for-profit. He contributed to mission expansion while seeing revenues grow by more than 50% and employment double to over 700 employees. Tim is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he received his Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering. He also holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Theory from American University in Washington, DC. For over 15 years Tim has been an adjunct professor at RIT in the Saunders College of Business MBA program and The Kate Gleason College of Engineering Product Development program. Concentrations include leadership, business management, professional development and change management. Tim’s desire as President/CEO of Human Technologies is, “to support and enable the employees of Human Technologies and the community our organization is a part of, to grow and contribute in powerful ways. There are many exciting things happening in our community and we will pursue ways in which our organization can participate and collaborate with other organizations for the benefit of all.” Human Technologies (HT) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit headquartered in Utica with regional locations in central and western New York, the Southern Tier, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. HT operates as a social enterprise with a mission to create employment for people with disabilities while operating as a self-sustaining business. HT employs more than 600 people in supply chain logistics, facilities management and environmental services, document management, and behavioral health services. Each year, HT directly impacts the lives of more than 2500 people who have disabilities.