Issue 141 February 27, 2020

AMERICAN

MUSCLE

TYLER TOUGH

As an Accountant seeing the expenses for Tyler Pipe, I often wonder if those outside the Accounting Department have any idea just how much money Tyler Pipe spends on Team Building. Would you have guessed over $100,000? I’m sure everyone can name a few team building events such as the Company Picnic and Christmas Party, but the company does so much more. I will share with you all of the events and cool things that Tyler Pipe does to build our team. Sadly, many Team Members don’t participate in ANY of these. I challenge all of you to read through this list and pick one this year. I enjoy meeting Team Members I normally don’t see daily and find out the contributions that they provide to make this company great.

For instance, the Madison “May Day” which was a special event to honor Mr. Madison’s sixtieth year with Tyler Pipe. Not many companies would take the time and expense to honor a 60-year employee while he is still working, but we celebrated this distinct milestone with the entire company. Cost: $4,048.

Annual Events: Gary Johnstone’s Stew Day, who wants to step up and share his/her best stew recipe now that Gary has retired? Easter Egg Giveaway, Bowling Day, Popcorn Day, Kona Ice Day, Sweetheart Valentine Day Drawing, Ice Cream Day, Watermelon Day and Halloween Treats. Total cost: $4,543.

Retirement Parties: Eight Retirees were treated to a party honoring them and their service to our company. Really cool that this company thinks enough of the retirees to honor them and celebrates the occasion with their fellow Team Members. Cost: $23,315.

Fund Raising Runs: Tyler Pipe sponsored eight fund raising events for local charitable organizations. They pay your entry fee and for a guest. A similar event is the Tyler Pipe Day of Caring where many Team Members and friends give up a Saturday morning to pack food boxes for those less fortunate. Cost: $8,246

Gifts for Grads: If you have a son or daughter graduating from high school or college, Tyler Pipe treats these folks to a nice brunch to honor their accomplishments. Cost: $1,678.

Family Day: A fun time for the whole family and this last year we were treated to the Grand Slam at Time Square where we enjoyed bowling, laser tag, a ropes course as well as an amazing arcade and awesome food. Cost: $27,109. Our New Jersey Team also had a Family Day at Camel Beach Waterpark in the sprawling Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania. Cost: $1,006.

Ranger Game: If you participate in all the extracurricular events then you are eligible to have your name drawn to go watch a Texas Ranger baseball game from a skybox. Cost: $6,160.

Christmas Parties: Tyler Pipe celebrated Christmas at the Villa De’ Garcia this last December. Great food, music and dancing for you and a guest. What a way to celebrate the season. Cost: $29,362. The New Jersey Distribution Center had their annual Christmas dinner at Stone House in Warren, New Jersey. A very posh venue. Cost: $2,131.

Tyler Pipe Calendars which showed all of our Team Members in their work area. They were a hit! Cost: $2,067.

Extra Benefits: Did you know if you retire in good standing from Tyler Pipe you are eligible for a burial benefit? Last year Tyler Pipe paid out $45,000. And did you know we had Tuition reimbursement? Some restrictions apply but basically only three Team Members are utilizing this and were reimbursed $4,025.

Charitable Contributions: Did you know Tyler Pipe gives back to the community where we live? Last year over $40,000 was donated to 32 different charities and organizations.

So now you know! I have worked for Tyler Pipe for almost 40 years and I can say that I am proud to work here. There is an old adage that says, “Put your money where your mouth is.” When Tyler Pipe says that they appreciate their Team Members they are not just saying it, they are willing to put their money towards appreciation events. The activities listed above prove that Tyler Pipe cares about their Team Members and our community.

by Barry Patterson

Assistant Controller

Issue 141 February 27, 2020

Referring to an old baseball adage, Chester Logan asked me to take this picture (to the right) and said, “Rod, I am almost outtalk here!” As he said it he was waving his arms like an umpire that just called someone out at the plate. After 45 years and 6 months of service to Tyler Pipe, my friend Chester Logan threw in the towel and rode off into the sunset for the last time. Chester has been a fixture in the Millroom for as long as any of us can remember. He started with Tyler Pipe back in 1974 after he left the Levi’ Strauss plant on loop 323 here in Tyler. According to our records he worked at Levi then provided his notice so he could find a higher paying job. Back then his rate of pay at Levi’s was $2.74 an hour and he needed more which lead him to our doors. His application stated that he didn’t have a car but only lived 7 miles away from work and he could get a ride from a friend. Chester evidently didn’t have any issues getting to work because you know out here at Tyler Pipe if you can’t show up for work you don’t last long.

Chester performed every task in the Millroom and was looked upon as a type of lead man. I know when I spoke to Supervisor Brent Smith and Manager Jason Sieben that they had nothing but praise for Chester. Chester even took on the task of training new hires on the grinding wheel. He has worked here long enough to know the safety and quickest way to grind those fittings. Sieben told me, “Chester can work with a new hire for about two days and know whether they have what it takes to do the job and do it safely.” The guys that I spoke to who were trained by Chester

had great things to say about the man. A quote was, “Chester told us how to stand, how to hold the fitting and how to increase our speed and do all of it with safety in mind. I owe a lot to Chester and the things that he taught me.”

I say that Chester drove off into the sunset because he didn’t have a party and I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to him. You can always tell if someone was a good person and whether they positively affected other people by what is said about them after they have left. People are still talking about Chester and that is a testament to the type of man

that he is. Good luck and God Bless Chester!

After 11 years of working in our credit department here at Tyler Pipe, Peggy Robertson has decided that it was time to put away her ledgers and spreadsheets and enjoy life with her husband Alton and their horses. I learned that the happy couple live in Stallion Lake Ranch and have multiple horses and that many of the folks that live in their community also ride. My source stated that she had the pleasure of visiting Peggy’s home and the house, barn and acreage were breath takingly beautiful. Thanks Karin!

On Friday, January 31st, Peggy said her final farewell to friends and co-workers with promises to keep in touch. A large group of Tyler Pipe Team Members, past and present, made their way to the administrative conference room to pay their respect to Peggy and wish her the best in her retirement years. Peggy’s supervisor, Randy Alexander took a moment to talk about Peggy and her accomplishments and ended by wishing her a long and happy retirement. He kept it short because if you know Randy, he is a man of few words.

After a couple of brief announcement and a speech or two, the entire group was treated to a scrumptious BBQ luncheon catered by Brisket Love BBQ out of Lindale, Texas. Everyone had a great time and as is usually the case, the party ends too soon as people have to get back to work. Peggy doesn’t have to worry about that any more! So if you see Peggy and Alton out in Lindale, take a moment to wish her the best and congratulate her on her retirement. I do believe that she is headed towards greener pastures.

Chester Logan in his

normal position,

directing folks!

A Blast from the Past - Chester Logan

Issue 141 February 27, 2020

Cupid set his sights once again on Tyler Pipe and awarded

four lucky winners a prize for their participation. For the

fourth year in a row Tyler Pipe has celebrated February by

drawing random winners to be recipients of the Sweetheart

drawing which includes dinner and a movie for two at

Studio Movie Grill. Many thanks to Don Kennedy and

Derrick Henson for helping pull the tickets.

So, this year our lucky winners were Cortess Evans from the

Fittings Mold Shop, Marcus Johnson from the Ladle Lining

Department, Jay Evans from the Maintenance

Department and Bobby O’Neal from the Hub Core Shop.

Now you might remember Bobby from

four years ago when we started the

Sweetheart Give-away. He was one of

four that won in our inaugural year of

2016. And he won again! I believe that

Bobby needs to be playing the lottery

with odds like that. Congratulations to

our winners and best of luck next year

for those of us not as fortunate. Bobby O’Neal

Circa 2016

It’s that time again! The time of the year when we ask for anyone and everyone that is interested in participating in the FRESH 15 to step forward and get registered. Yes, you can join the face of Tyler Pipe, the Tyler Pipe “Poster Child” herself, Faye Pettigrew in this worthy ambition to raise funds for charitable organizations throughout Smith County. The race will be held on Saturday,

March 7th. There are three separate races for run-ners of all levels. There is the 1k race for the kiddos, a 5k race for the intermediate runner and a 15k for those folks that make the rest of us shake our heads!

Remember, while this may be called a race it is for walkers, joggers as well as runners and if you don’t want the physical exertion then you can volunteer to help out. Our volunteers have helped with registration, passing out gift bags or even handing out water along the journey. Whatever your participation level, they can accommodate it.

Once again Tyler Pipe will pay the registration fees for you and a guest. See HR for registration details.

This is a great opportunity to get healthy, become more involved in your community and raise funds for charitable organizations like the ones listed below. You may not know this, but 100% of runner revenue goes to nonprofit charities. To date, participants in the FRESH 15 have already left a substantial impact in the lives of our community as they raised over $700,000 in the six years since the event began.

Issue 141 February 27, 2020

Chris Swaner ~ 2

David Oliver ~ 3

Wayne Bowles ~ 4

Jimmy Allen ~ 6

James Hugo ~ 6

Jorge Valdivia ~ 6

Tommy Bowie ~ 11

Joe Holzbauer ~ 11

Sidney Williams ~ 11

Dottie Armstrong ~ 12

Demetrius Erskine ~ 12

Chris Kuykendall ~ 13

Johnny Stevens ~ 13

Sterling Bowman ~ 14

Jerry Brown ~ 14

James Miller ~ 16

Brandon Yowell ~ 16

Juan Gonzalez ~ 19

Chandler Newman ~ 19

Larry Steele ~ 20

Dangelo Jones ~ 21

David Martinez ~ 21

Bruce Wood ~ 21

Gabriel Borunda ~ 24

Mitchell Tuck ~ 25

Isidro Cardenas ~ 26

Grayson Dowdy ~ 29

Mathew Lewis ~ 31

Team Tyler Pipe at the 2019 Tyler Run for Autism

Reminder: The Tyler Run for Autism

April 4, 2020

More info in the March Newsletter. Once again Tyler Pipe will pay the registration fee for you and 1 guest!

I have said it many time, Tyler Pipe is proud to have Team Members with such a high

seniority tenure. We are equally as proud of our new Team Members that have

passed the five year milestone. See if you can find the folks celebrating five years of

service. Ronnie Butler Bobby Croley Eric Cummings

Mark Davis Luis Gauna Joshua Jackson

Charles Johnson Jerry Kosloski Chris Kuykendall

Michael Maddox Stephanie Moss Bahati Nails

Jonathan Seaton Vernon Thompson Steve Ware