12/23/2024 - By Mike Hess

This year at our National Sales Meeting, we selected a Corporate, Operations, and Harrell’s Coating Solutions (HCS) employee-owner to receive the Corporate Professional of the Year, Operations Professional of the Year, and HCS Professional of the Year award, respectively. These individuals were nominated not only for their hard work and selfless attitude but also for how well they adhere to Harrell's Core Values (Serve, Honor, and Glorify God, Take Care of People, and Grow our Financial Strength), and Harrell's Four Pillars (Humility, Gratitude, Intentionality, and Accountability).

2024 Corporate Professional of the Year

Kimberly Martin, Accounting Clerk III in Lakeland, is our winner for Corporate Professional of the Year. Kim was nominated by Kevin English, VP of Finance, and Laura Dubose, Director of Accounting, and is truly a shining example of what it means to live out Harrell’s Core Values and Four Pillars daily. Every interaction with Kim makes the day better as she approaches everyone with a smile on her face and a kind word to coworkers and customers alike. Kim goes out of her way to intentionally build positive relationships with both Harrell’s employees and Harrell’s vendors alike.

“Whether it is dealing with an employee regarding a question about their credit card transactions, credit limit, etc., or about reconciling our account with a vendor, she is always willing to take the time to kindly resolve whatever the issue may be. Kim has a focus on accountability as she reviews the weekly check registers and the monthly companywide credit card transactions to ensure that all of the payments being made are properly approved and following company policies.

Although very few people know, Kim has been enrolled in online classes at Polk State College, currently in her final capstone class with plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in December of 2024. Kim’s commitment to Harrell’s and the fact that she exudes everything that Harrell’s stands for is the reason she is the accounting department’s nominee for Corporate Professional of the Year,” said Kevin and Laura.

Congratulations are also extended to two other nominees: Oscar Maldonado, Graphic Designer in Lakeland, and Melissa Calandros, Benefits Coordinator in Lakeland.

2024 HCS Professional of the Year

Sheree Hughes, Office Administrator at HCS, is our winner for HCS Professional of the Year. Nominated by Jeff Ogle, Director of Operations, Coated Products, Sylacauga, Sheree is an excellent example of what it means to go above and beyond your role. She not only performs her duties as office administrator, but also in customer service, event coordination, and many other duties upon request. 

“Sheree is well-liked, trusted, and respected due to her integrity, friendliness, and willingness to take the extra steps to make her interactions pleasant. She is never boastful or brash and always demonstrates humility in her day-to-day behavior. She is self-motivated, takes on changes such as the new production posting and inventory system in a positive way, and always focuses on opportunities, not challenges. She holds herself accountable for her actions and turns out excellent work, but will admit when she is wrong, she is detail-focused, quick to investigate issues, and reaches out to others for guidance or to report a problem.

She is known for being efficient and cost-conscious while considering the company’s financial goals, she keeps Harrell’s interests in mind when conducting business by always behaving professionally. I feel that Sheree is a perfect example of a model Harrell’s associate and would represent the organization well as the recipient of the HCS Professional of the Year Award,” said Jeff.

2024 Operations Professional of the Year

Randall Foster, Delivery Driver, Sylacauga, AL is our 2024 winner for Operations Professional of the Year. He was nominated by Marcus Hood, Plant Manager in Sylacauga, Randall has worked at our Sylacauga location for 23 years as a delivery driver and is well-known throughout the sales team and the customer base he serves.

“Randall goes above and beyond to help our customers out, whether it be moving pallets, picking up totes, or helping the customer with anything else they need while he is there. He is a mentor and trainer to our other drivers, not just at our site but other surrounding sites as well, which is invaluable. Randall keeps a journal of every stop he has ever made with delivery instructions for future deliveries, and the other drivers will call him anytime they are going somewhere they have not been to get his delivery instructions. Randall is always in a positive and upbeat mood, his truck is always clean and organized, and he pays attention to the details of his job so he is always looking for ways he can improve and make things more efficient,” said Marcus.”

Congratulations are also extended to two other nominees: Jeff Wagner, Spreader Driver in Chattanooga, and Susana Cardenas, Customer Service Representative in Houston.

Congratulations to all of our nominees and winners of the Professional of the Year Award this year. We appreciate your invaluable service this year and how you wholeheartedly represent our core values and four pillars.