Human Technologies featured in the latest USPS Holiday commercial!
Press play below to watch the video! https://vimeo.com/493101059 Human Technologies manufactures Postal ID Markers for the USPS through a commercial contract that we have held for over 20 years. Seven employees run the machines to produce each 8,000 piece order. The ID Markers are used to sort and separate mail at post offices throughout the United States. Raw Kydex sheets are sheared, die-cut, stamped with identifiers, hot-formed, and cold-formed. We manufacture these ID Markers in seven colors, representing each day of the week. Human Technologies would like to thank the USPS for helping to strengthen our mission of Creating Employment for People with Disabilities!
Local Partners Announce “Feed Our Frontline Families” Initiative to Support Local Restaurants and Frontline Workers
Feed Our Frontline Families is an initiative founded by three partners: F.X. Matt Brewery, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce and The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, and is supported by Indium Corporation, Human Technologies, and Ed & Ed Business Technology. The goal of this initiative is to inject cash flow into area restaurants, helping them to stay in business and keep staff employed, all while ensuring frontline workers get what they need. Donations will be collected through feedourfrontlinefamilies.com and managed by The Community Foundation to purchase gift cards in increments of $50 to area restaurants. The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce will oversee the purchase of gift cards and work with The Community Foundation and Saranac Brewery to distribute them right into the hands of frontline workers. “As a company who was founded in Utica 132 years ago, we strongly believe in supporting our community all the time, but especially in times of need,” said Fred Matt, president of F.X. Matt Brewery. “As a local brewery, we see the toll this virus is taking on our customers in the restaurant industry, and as a former board member at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, I know the impact this is having on the healthcare industry. I knew we needed to help, and I’m very proud to announce this initiative that will support our local economy and feed the families of frontline workers.” Organizers hope the community will join in to make donations, small or large, to support healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers and their families. For every $50 donated, a gift card will be given to a local hero to help put food on their table so they can focus on continuing to keep the community healthy! “It has been our mission since the beginning of the pandemic to help as many businesses as possible stay open,” said Meghan Fraser McGrogan, executive director of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has worked together with our partners to deliver the necessary tools to make Feed Our Frontline Families a reality. We are proud to launch this initiative as it helps us achieve our ultimate goal to keep local commerce moving, and to help it to grow as we move forward. Moving forward depends on the health and safety of our community, and the support of these businesses.” “Our organization has seen firsthand how our community pulls together and rallies through times of crisis,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of The Community Foundation. “This pandemic, though very different from anything we’ve ever experienced, showcases yet another example of our community stepping up to the plate and being there to support each other during these trying times. This program is just a small way to say thank you to these important essential workers.” Donations can be made by visiting feedourfrontlinefamilies.com. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. No donation is too small—a simple $5 donation will go a long way. This initiative was founded by F.X. Matt Brewery, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce and The Community Foundation, and is supported by Indium Corporation, Human Technologies, and Ed & Ed Business Technology.
Rust Belt Startup Podcast
Tim Giarrusso, President/CEO of Human Technologies, sits down with the Rust Belt Startup Podcast to talk about empowering people with disabilities, holistic employment, building trust, and how to create communities.
Kevin Seward – 2019 Joslin Outstanding Performer
https://vimeo.com/372900768 Kevin Seward – Joslin Outstanding Performance Award from Human Technologies on Vimeo. Human Technologies’ (HT) Kevin Seward accepting his 2019 Joslin Outstanding Performer Award. Kevin works as a Janitor for HT’s Environmental Service line of business and is responsible for the day-to-day cleaning at the Rome, NY DDSO (Developmental Disabilities Service Office). When asked about his job, Kevin said, “I’m always checking and double-checking and stuff like that,” he said. “I always feel that I constantly have to prove myself. I feel like there were some doubts about whether I could handle the job by myself with minor supervision, not that anybody’s told me that. It’s just my motivation to strive toward perfection.” Kevin’s supervisor, Dean Damsky, added ″(He’s) very dedicated, loves his job, would be distraught if he didn’t have this. Very compassionate. He hates getting a complaint, as well anyone should, but he takes great pride in his work. He’s just always been there. He’s very reliable, came a long way, a very long way.” HT has earned this contract (as well as many others) through New York State’s Preferred Source Program, and NYSID (the facilitating agency), of which HT is a member group. HT continues to excel thanks to the drive and determination of our employees, and we are sincerely thankful to Kevin (and the rest of the HT family) for all of their hard work!
HT’s Inspirational Storytellers speak at B.O.C.E.S. graduation
Inspirational Storytellers inspire Herkimer graduates!
Human Technologies Is Perfect…Again!
Human Technologies Is Perfect…Again!
MVCC Engineering Student helps support HT’s mission
Andrew Beck is a Resident Assistant at the Bellamy dormitory on the campus of Mohawk Valley Community College. As part of his Civic Engagement responsibility in this role, Andrew was tasked with getting the residents on his floor at Bellamy to interact with outside groups. He decided the best way to do this was to raise money and make a donation to a local organization. Andrew had just completed a course in Lean Six Sigma where the lab work was based out of Human Technologies. The Mechanical Engineering Technology students in this class would work on real-world problems, utilize the information they were learning in Lean Six Sigma, and draw upon their past engineering knowledge to come up with solutions to not only fix the problems, but do so with an adaptive technology that would make it easier for a person with a disability to perform the job. Prior to coming to Human Technologies last fall, Andrew had not been exposed to working with people with disabilities. Andrew remarked how well our people worked and the pride they took in doing their job well. He also believed in our mission to create employment for people with disabilities. It was because of this that Andrew decided that the money he raised would be donated to HT. On January 24th, Andrew conducted his fundraiser. His goal was to sell lengths of duct tape to his fellow students to be used to secure MVCC’s two Residence Directors (RD) to a pole inside one of the dorms (safely & supervised). By selling tape in increments of 3 yards, Andrew was able to raise $93 which he donated to HT today. He also raised the RD’s as well. Enough tape was sold over the course of an hour (roughly 380 yards) that the Residence Directors were raised and suspended to a pole a couple of feet off the floor. Thank you, Andrew, for your civic responsibility towards your community and your generous donation to Human Technologies. NOTE: In September 2018, Human Technologies made its first donation to the MVCC Foundation to create an Engineering Fund to be used for tools, materials, and outsides services in support of any engineering-related projects that will help foster the engineering relationships with local industry that will be beneficial to the student learning experience while creating or enhancing business opportunities in our community. The money donated by Andrew Beck today will ultimately be donated back to the MVCC Foundation as part of our annual contribution to this Engineering Fund. Full story here.
35 Years of Service and a $1,000 donation
At Human Technologies’ Annual Employee Recognition Party, Michael Carchedi was honored for 35 years of continuous employment with the company. In recognition of his years of service, Michael was provided the opportunity to donate $1,000 to the charitable organization of his choice. Michael chose the American Heart Association; when asked why, Michael said, “It is a cause that is near to me, as my family has suffered from heart-related disease over the past years.” Michael has performed just about every job function at Human Technologies over his tenure and is currently working as an order filler at our Warehouse & Distribution Center. Michael picks uniform components for the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, and several State Forestry agencies throughout the U.S. Michael is passionate about community and is often seen at the local Farmer’s Markets and anywhere that has live music. Michael is a shining example of one of our core beliefs, The Work of our People Transforms Communities.
Linda Forth receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Human Technologies VP of Human Resources is named the recipient of the Lynda Ford Lifetime Achievement Award. Human Technologies VP of Human Resources, Linda Forth, was awarded the Lynda Ford Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mohawk Valley Society for Human Resource Management (MVSHRM). The Lynda Ford Award for Lifetime Achievement in Human Resources is given in memory of Lynda who passed away in January of 2007. Lynda Ford, SPHR served as President of the Ford Group, a consulting firm that specialized in human resource and business development with the goal to strengthen organizations through their greatest potential resource…people. Below is Linda’s write-up from the award booklet…Linda is the Vice President of Human Resources for Human Technologies Corporation in Utica, NY. Linda has worked in the HR field for 20 years with 18 of those years at Human Technologies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Public Management with a concentration in Human Resources from SUNY Institute of Technology. Linda has been a member of MVSHRM since 1996, as a college student, and a National SHRM member since 1997. She was the Legislative Chairperson from 2003 – 2005 and currently serves as MVSHRM’s New York State’s Advocacy Captain. As an officer of Human Technologies, Linda’s primary responsibility is to oversee the HR function of the company. One of her favorite roles is to be active with legislative efforts on the state and federal level for HR related issues and employment issues related to disability awareness and self-advocacy. One of her greatest passions is being witness to and playing a role in the success of others. Working at Human Technologies has offered her the opportunity to work closely with individuals with significant disabilities. She gets to share in their successes as they learn to become self-advocates with the goal of educating and impacting elected officials who are tasked with making decisions on behalf of people with disabilities. Linda has served her local community in a number of leadership roles over the years from Little League, Pop Warner, All Sports Booster Club and her church as Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, Choir Director, and personnel manager. She is currently serving as a volunteer for the Golisano Children’s Hospital Foundation. She is a Leadership Mohawk Valley graduate. Linda has been married to her husband, Don, for 36 years. They have four daughters, Millicent, Sarah, Katie, and Allison. Along with her daughters comes four wonderful sons-in-law, Dan, Casey, Mark & Jordan. Her greatest joys are her five grandchildren, Brandon, Jessa, Alayah, Hadlee & Vivian, and the two more on their way, Hunter & Charlotte. A quick Q&A with Linda MVSHRM just awarded you the “Lynda Ford Lifetime Achievement Award” – how does that make you feel? Lynda was an incredible force and icon in the HR field and so being recognized for my contributions through this award is a huge honor. I am humbled at the same time and feeling very blessed to have had the opportunity to serve Human Technologies, the Mohawk Valley and my hometown community. That said, I absolutely love what I do and know that having a strong committed team of people around me that include my HR Team, other support teams, our leadership and each employee that comes to work every day to deliver quality goods and services to our customers, is what makes my role easier and incredibly fulfilling. What drives/motivates you? I have always had a passion for people. My motivation comes from seeing the potential in someone, knowing that given the right tools and environment, they could do great things and encouraging them to step into the opportunity. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their career in Human Resources? Human Resources is an integral part of an organization and is multi-faceted. The responsibility to manage and develop the organization’s most valuable asset, it’s employees, is a huge responsibility. You can’t know it all or do it all so surround yourself with people that share your passion and are experts in their fields. And lastly, be curious and take every opportunity to learn.
Safe + Sound Week
Human Technologies took part in Safe+Sound week, a nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces. Employees engaged in scavenger hunts, safety sweeps, and other activities, to help reinforce our safety pledge “I promise to take care of myself and look out for my coworkers so no one gets hurt on the job.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoL8Ew4GeA4
Don Smith – Vice President of Business Development
Human Technologies is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Smith as Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Smith’s primary focus will be developing new equipment, uniform, and supply chain management programs at the Department of State while also pursuing commercial federal opportunities with other government agencies. Prior to joining Human Technologies, Mr. Smith was in charge of developing federal business for one of our largest State Department suppliers, Atlantic Diving Supply, where he worked for seven years and was consistently one of the top sales performers for the $1.7B company. He has held positions as the Vice President at Territorial Mint and a Senior Systems Engineer at CACI which provides information solutions and services in support of national security missions. Mr. Smith spent 14 years in the Air Force where he trained pilots for five years, then moved to the National Military Command Center and worked for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon in their Nuclear Ops/Command and Control areas. Human Technologies, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Social Enterprise with a mission to create employment for people with disabilities, is headquartered in Utica, New York with operations throughout New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and northern Virginia. Established in 1954, we employ over 300 people and generate $40M+ in annual revenues, 99% of which are from sales of our products and services. We achieve our mission by developing, investing in, and managing numerous lines of business, including Facilities Management and Environmental Services, Apparel and Equipment Supply Chain Services, Total Uniform Management Services, and Manufacturing and Packaging Operations.
What work means to Richard
The employees of Human Technologies raised $475.00 toward the purchase of 714 gallons of water for hurricane survivors in Puerto Rico! To further support the HT effort, the vendor HT purchased the water from, Smith Packing, donated an additional 27 cases and waived their sales commission. HT employees also donated supplies such as batteries, flashlights and diapers. This good deed by the employees of HT exemplifies our beliefs that each of us makes an impact and the work of our people transforms communities! THE POWER OF PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE
HT hosts Congresswoman Tenney to showcase AbilityOne socio-economic impact
Team HT – Heart Run & Walk
On March 4 Human Technologies’ America’s Greatest Heart Walk and Run team joined thousands of our community members in raising more than $1 million dollars to fight our region’s, and our nation’s, leading health threats: heart disease and stroke. Each year HT employees form their own team, seek donations, and do their own fundraising. This year 30 employees, family and friends made the walk on a cold, blustery day and raised $1,555 for the cause. Brandy Deveines, HT’s Safety Manager, racked up the most donations for the team. Speaking on their behalf, she said “I feel it is important to participate in the fight to save lives and make a difference. At some point in life, we all have an illness touch close to home.” The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The AHA provides science-based treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals and educates lawmakers, policymakers and the public while advocating for changes to protect and improve the health of our communities.