MARCH 2026
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
We’re proud to highlight Cassy Chao of Crete United. As an Accounts Receivable Manager, Cassy keeps teams aligned and operations running smoothly while balancing a wide range of daily priorities. She’s known for her strong communication and commitment to high standards. Outside of work, Cassy enjoys traveling, cooking and baking, golfing, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors.
Click HERE or scan the QR code to watch Cassy’s employee spotlight video.
Want to nominate a colleague for an Employee Spotlight?
Submit your nomination using the Employee Spotlight form HERE
1% BETTER: THE JAPANESE KAIZEN MINDSET
Mike Cox | CEO CEO MESSAGE
After World War II, Japan faced economic devastation. Resources were limited, competition was fierce, and rebuilding felt overwhelming. Instead of chasing rapid breakthroughs, companies embraced a philosophy called Kaizen - continuous, incremental improvement.
The idea was simple: improve something, every day.
Factory workers were encouraged to identify even the smallest inefficiencies. A better workflow. A safer motion. A clearer process. No change was too small to matter. Over time, those small improvements compounded, transforming Japan into one of the most efficient manufacturing economies in the world.
Kaizen teaches a powerful truth: consistency beats intensity.
At Crete United, we don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. We need to improve what’s in front of us - every day:
• A safer job
• A tighter estimate
• A better customer experience
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. 1% better doesn’t feel dramatic. It won’t show up in a single day. But over weeks, months, and years, it separates good teams from great ones.
Big wins are built on small, repeated actions.
Let’s get a little better todayand do it again tomorrow
REPRESENTING AT ASHRAE APA
& DYNAIRE
Bob Rousseau with Dynaire and Bryant Elder with APA represented the team at the Long Island’s 3rd Annual HVAC & Plumbing ASHRAE Trade Show, connecting with industry peers, gaining insight into emerging trends, and showcasing our expertise in HVAC systems and building efficiency.
PRO TECH SUPPORTS TAFT ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
PRO TECH MECHANICAL
Team members from Pro Tech Mechanical recently participated in the Taft ISD 10th Annual Superintendent’s Golf Tournament, a community event that raises funds for the Taft ISD Education Foundation. The district serves a largely lower-income community, and proceeds from the tournament help support programs and resources that benefit local students and educators.
METRO MECHANICAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION
METRO MECHANICAL
Dwight Abshire welcomed the Metro Mechanical team to Toledo Bend Reservoir for a full day of fishing and camaraderie, as the team traveled from Alabama to the Louisiana–Texas border for a well-earned employee appreciation outing.
Team members Zach Martin and Jackson McCay joined the trip, spending the day on the water connecting with colleagues and celebrating their hard work. Pictured are Zach with Dwight Abshire and Jackson with MLF pro Nolan Gaskin.
A special thank you to Paul Talton for making this experience possible. Outings like this highlight the importance of recognition, connection, and investing in our people, strengthening teams across Crete United.
APA SECURES MAJOR SERVICE AGREEMENT
APA
Congratulations to the APA team on a strong win! New Sales Representative Bryant Elder successfully closed a five-year service agreement with the Office of Mental Health, totaling $971,729
The team strategically leveraged a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, which is a tool used to access public records, to learn the details of the existing service agreement and strengthen their approach. This demonstrates both resourcefulness and a proactive sales mindset. Great work by everyone involved in supporting this effort and driving it across the finish line.
CROSBY ELECTRIC WELCOMES
BABY WELLS STANFORD!
CROSBY ELECTRIC
Crosby Electric is proud to share some wonderful news from within the team. Allie Stanford, Office Manager and daughter of Al Crosby, and her husband Jonathan, recently welcomed a baby boy, Wells Stanford.
This exciting milestone marks a special moment for the Crosby family, as Al and Candie Crosby celebrate the arrival of their newest grandson. Join us in congratulating the family and wishing them all the best as they begin this new chapter together.
WELCOME TO THE METRO FAMILY, OLIVER!
METRO MECHANICAL
Please join us in welcoming Oliver Swann, the newest addition to the Metro Mechanical family. Oliver is the son of Corrie and Michael Swann. Corrie, who serves as an AP Clerk, continues to do an outstanding job supporting the team each day.
Oliver also makes Paul and Jennifer Talton proud grandparents, bringing their total to three grandchildren and one more future fishing buddy for “Poppy.”
Congratulations to Corrie and Michael on their growing family, and to Paul and Jennifer on their newest grandchild!
HOMETOWN TEAM ENJOYS DAY IN A DIFFERENT FIELD
HOMETOWN MECHANICAL
Hometown employees recently had the opportunity to enjoy a pheasant hunt at Brush Dale Hunting Preserve, thanks to the generosity of one of our valued vendor partners. The outing gave the team a chance to step away from the day-to-day routine, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time together in a different setting.
The event was a great opportunity for camaraderie, appreciation, and connection. It allowed employees to build stronger relationships, share laughs, and enjoy time with both coworkers and industry partners. Opportunities like this help strengthen the relationships that carry over into the work we do every day.
At Hometown, relationships matter. Whether on the jobsite, in the office, or out in the field, time spent together helps build trust, teamwork, and a stronger company culture. The pheasant hunt at Brush Dale was a reminder that some of the best moments come from simply getting good people together and enjoying the experience.
CELEBRATING SAFETY & SUCCESS
HOMETOWN MECHANICAL
The Hometown Safety Awards Dinner was held at Bally’s Casino as a chance to celebrate another year of hard work, dedication, and a strong commitment to safety. Employees were joined by their spouses and significant others for an evening that recognized the people who help make Hometown’s culture what it is both on and off the job.
The event included dinner, drinks, and safety awards, but more than anything, it was about recognizing the effort behind another successful year. Safety is not just a requirement at Hometown. It is part of the standard our team brings to every project, every day.
The evening gave everyone a chance to step away from the jobsite, enjoy time together, and celebrate the accomplishments of the team. It was also a reminder that the work done throughout the year matters not only to the company, but to the families who support that work every day.
Hometown is proud of the team’s continued focus on working safely, looking out for one another, and raising the bar year after year.
DYNAIRE COMPANY SPOTLIGHT:
Providing the Results that Clients Deserve
This month, we’re spotlighting Dynaire, a trusted heating and air conditioning equipment and installation provider serving New York City and Long Island since 1957. Dynaire partners with leading contractors to deliver high-quality solutions across complex projects, with capabilities that have grown from local work to large-scale, national-level developments. Built on a foundation of strong communication, teamwork, and respect, Dynaire is known for its responsive service, family-oriented culture, and commitment to doing what’s best for every customer and project. Watch the Dynaire overview video HERE or scan the QR code below.
Want to be featured in a future Company Spotlight? The Company Spotlight is an opportunity to explore potential areas for collaboration and better understand the strengths of our valued companies. Talk to your PST Ops Leads to be featured.
Need custom videos or marketing materials? Fill out a Marketing Request Form, and our team will help showcase your expertise with videos, brochures, and digital assets.
Strengthening Our Network Together
DWIGHT ABSHIRE WINS REEL UNITED FISHING TOURNAMENT
Congratulations to Dwight Abshire for winning the Reel United Fishing Tournament championship in Brookeland, TX!
The event, a United Way fundraiser supporting Jefferson County and surrounding areas, raised over $300,000 and welcomed more than 1,100 participants. Featuring an hourly “big bass” format, Dwight earned the overall top spot.
The festivities also included food, entertainment, and door prizes, with vendors and contractors helping create a fun and memorable event for the 1,000-2,000 attendees.
CHARLOTTE HEADQUARTERS SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD DRIVE
Our headquarters team in Charlotte stepped up to support the local community by coordinating and participating in a food drive in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Through a collective effort, the team gathered and delivered 165 lbs of food to help provide meals for families facing food insecurity. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to giving back and supporting the communities where we live and work. Every contribution, big or small, helps make a meaningful difference, and we’re proud to stand alongside our Charlotte neighbors in the fight against hunger.
KUDOS
NEW HIRES, ANNIVERSARIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PROMOTIONS
AC Corporation
Lucas Younts, Controller
Bently Pagura, Training and Development Manager
Merrick Brady, Accounts Payable Manager
NEW HIRES
Crete United
Shaquinta Morgan, VP Crete United Energy Services
Jordan Plunk, Sr. Manager, National HVAC
Subcontracting & Pricing
Legacy Mechanical
Scott Thompson, Project Manager
Eddie Roberson, Service HVAC Technician
ANNIVERSARIES
Crete United Energy Services
11 Years: Hunter Harvin
4 Years: Elisandra Segura
Hometown Mechanical
33 Years: Dean Snyder
31 Years: Rick Wheeler
7 Years: Ryan Daly
5 Years: Cody Ramer
2 Years: Brandon Baker
1 Year: Brian Stillman
HUMAN RESOURCES
INTRODUCING PERKSPOT
YOUR EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Crete United is excited to offer PerkSpot, an optional employee benefit designed to help you stretch your paycheck further. PerkSpot provides access to exclusive discounts on the things you buy every day, as well as bigger purchases that matter most.
With PerkSpot, you can save up to 60% across more than 25 categories, including travel, technology, dining, wellness, apparel, groceries, and more. Every discount is verified to work at checkout, so there’s no need to search for promo codes or second-guess your savings. On eligible purchases, you can also earn PerkSpot Reward Points that can be redeemed for gift cards.
Whether you are planning a trip, upgrading your tech, or simply stocking up on everyday essentials, PerkSpot makes it easy to save.
How to Start Saving
Visit creteunited.perkspot.com
Click “Create an Account”
Enter access code: CreteUnited
This optional employee perk is available to all Crete United employees and can be used anytime
HUMAN RESOURCES
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME VERIFICATION
NOW EASIER FOR CRETE AND PARTNER-COMPANY EMPLOYEES
Need to verify your employment or income for a loan, apartment, benefits, or PSLF? There’s a new, easier way - and it’s available 24/7. Crete and its partner companies now use The Work Number® from Equifax, a secure, automated service that allows lenders, landlords, government agencies, and other approved organizations to verify your employment and income without contacting HR
Scan the QR code above or visit employees.theworknumber.com to get started.
Use The Work Number when you need to:
• Verify employment or income for a loan, apartment, or credit application
• Apply for government benefits
• Review your employment or income history
• Generate certain employment-related letters (when available)
• Complete a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form
How it works:
1. Visit employees.theworknumber.com
2. Select Log In (first-time users choose Register Now)
3. Complete the secure identity verification
If someone asks for proof of employment or income, direct them to www.theworknumber.com and provide your employer name as shown on your paystub. In most cases, no additional action is required.
Occasionally, a verifier may request a Salary Key, a one-time, six-digit code you can generate in your account. Salary Keys expire after 90 days and are rarely needed.
You can also request a free Employment Data Report (EDR) to review your information at employees.theworknumber.com/employment-data-report or by calling 866-604-6570.
Need help? The Work Number Employee Service Center: 800-367-2884 (TTY 800-424-0253)
DOCUSIGN ENTERPRISE-WIDE ROLLOUT COMING TO CRETE UNITED
We’re excited to announce that DocuSign will soon be available enterprise-wide across Crete United as part of our new Contract Management Lifecycle Program.
Following a successful pilot with select companies, we are preparing for the broader rollout. Formal training and onboarding resources will be available in Q2 to ensure teams feel confident and supported using the platform.
Why This Matters
Prior to implementing DocuSign solutions, our contracting and endorsement workflows relied heavily on manual processes, including physical signatures. This led to delays, inconsistent compliance tracking, limited visibility into approvals, and longer procurement cycle times.
With DocuSign, we are modernizing and streamlining our contract lifecycle by:
• Accelerating contract execution
• Strengthening contract structure and risk evaluation
• Improving visibility into approval status
• Reducing manual administrative processes
During our pilot program, results were significant:
• Proposal response times reduced by 50%
• Redlining and negotiation timelines reduced by 80%
• Approved deal execution time improved by 90%
• Audit and compliance verification timelines drastically improved
This transformation supports greater consistency, compliance, and strategic alignment across all agreements within our network of 40+ partner companies.
COMPANY RESOURCES
CELEBRATE THE MOMS ACROSS THE CRETE UNITED NETWORK
This Mother’s Day, we’re creating a social spotlight video honoring the incredible moms in our Crete United network. Whether it’s a photo with your kids, pets, family, or loved ones, we’d love to include it. Send photos to marketing@creteunited.com
Submit by April 15th to be featured.
CRETE UNITED CORPORATE HOTEL RATES – CHARLOTTE, NC
Traveling to Charlotte for meetings or training at our corporate office? We’ve secured corporate rates at the following nearby hotels for your convenience.
Please use the booking links below to ensure you receive the Crete United corporate rate. Each hotel is located within five miles of the Charlotte office.
Corporate
COMPANY RESOURCES
SAFETY TOPIC
NATIONAL LADDER SAFETY MONTH
STEP UP TO LADDER SAFETY
Ladders are surprisingly dangerous. Falling from a ladder leads to dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries each year. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry and one of OSHA’s Focus Four workplace hazards.
March is National Ladder Safety Month. Each year, employers and workers alike can take this opportunity to reduce ladder-related accidents and fall hazards in the workplace.
Even if you don’t work on or around ladders on a regular basis, the lessons below can protect you whenever you need to use these helpful reach-extenders.
Ladder Safety Tips
• Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.
• Avoid electrical hazards! - Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Avoid using a metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment.
• Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged until repaired or discarded.
• Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing.
• Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes
• Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. Be aware of the ladder load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight of any tools or equipment.
COMPANY RESOURCES
SAFETY TOPIC
FLEET SAFETY UPDATE: PROTECTED ON THE ROAD WITH REAL SOLUTIONS
At the heart of our mission, especially when it comes to our employees, is ensuring we have “Real Solutions”. While that impact is most visible in the excellence we deliver to our customers and the communities we serve, our most significant impact starts with our employees behind the wheel. Safety isn’t just a word here, it’s our culture, our priority, and it is woven into our operational DNA. In alignment with our commitment to every member of our team, we are excited to announce the pilot implementation of our new Driver Safety Improvement Program, powered by Motive Telematics.
Pilot Launch
Industrial Maintenance and Automation (IMA)
We are excited to share that the pilot phase has officially kicked off with one of our larger and most diverse fleets, Industrial Maintenance and Automation (IMA). Under the steadfast leadership of Andrew Harris, this group is leading the charge in integrating these new safety behaviors into their daily operations. The variety of vehicles and high-utilization environments within the IMA fleet provide the perfect landscape to refine this program for the rest of the organization.
Why it Matters
This initiative is about much more than installing equipment in our vehicles; it is about adding an important layer of protection for our employees. By leveraging AI-based forward-facing camera technology, we are providing our employee drivers with a proactive tool to help navigate the unpredictability of today’s roadways.
Real-Time protection through AI technology helps identify external risks before they become incidents or near-misses, giving our employee drivers a split-second advantage they’ll likely need.
High-quality telematics data allows us to recognize great driving and provide targeted coaching where it matters most. By reducing incidents, we ensure our employees and our fleet remain ready to support our customers without interruption.
This pilot represents a significant investment in our safety-first mindset. As we roll out these Motive-equipped units, our goal remains clear: ensuring that every one of our employee drivers returns home safely at the end of every shift.
COMPANY RESOURCES
TALOS
PEERS RECOGNIZED FOR KUDOS/FEEDBACK OBSERVATIONS IN TALOS
AC Corporation
Basilio Noyola Gonzalez
James Lovill
Selso Bautista
Tanner Brazier
APA
April Thiele
Edwin Torres
Kevin Swayne
Manuel Matute
C2 Tech Group
Anthony Clay Boykin
Kent Gaddis
CSI
James Taylor
Foster Plumbing
Daniel Gomez
Evan Pedretti
Nehemiah Gonzales
Shane Cathcart
Hillard Electric
Andrew Prelgauskas
Austin Nagelhout
Benjamin McCall
Brian Robinson
Calvin Calkins
Cameron Sevenski
Collin Teesdale
Colton Newton
Colton Vanderleest
Cory Kindlle
Cristian Aguilar
Dobie Ford
Dylan Greenfield
Easton Schneider
Eric Wright
Gage Cronk
Garrett Barrow
Gordon Gentz
Hunter Piotrowski
Jack Christensen
Jackson Neely
James Burnett
Jared Lucht
Jeremy Campione
Jett Elerick
John Randell
Jon Kirby
Jordan Nielsen
Justin Brand
Landon Rossback
Leighton Docter
Levi Benson
Marek Oleneack
Mateo Rivera
Mike Link
Mitchell Martin
Nicholas Hall
Peter Slack
Reed Willmore
Richard Dysard
Ryan Chapin
Taylor Boyce
Timothy Gilbert
Trent Hager
Trent Lockery
Trenton Holman
Trevor Gould
Wade Male
Walter Willson
Zachary Barnhart
Hometown
Adam Schwarz
Alex Smith
Bradley Fisk
Bruce O’Day
Chris Powell
Dean Snyder
Kortney Wendt
Macellen
Humphreys
Nick Meyers
Robbie Reed
Shane Burmeister
Shea Smith
IMA
Alexander Nguyen
Andrew Shull
Brent Lundy
Hunter Camp
James Newton
Matthew King
Thomas Evans
Travis Loftin
Tyler Winecoff
John’s Service & Sales
Scott Gavin
Major Mechanical
Marc Wilds
Metro Mechanical
Jacob Pike
Piper Electric
Adrian Moreno
Afton Wight
Alan Staggs
Alejandro
Hernandez
Alex Smith
Andrew Melton
Annika Friday
Arthur Bautista
Arturo Ramos
Austin Fiala
Austin Gill
Bailey Sishc
Brandon Novak
Brandon Wisner
Brock Dillon
Bryan McCullough
Camden Nortnik
Cameron Sachs
Charles Bills
Chris Garcia
Christopher Burris
David Scott
Drew Hoffmann
Eliot Elliot
Ezequiel Ornelas
Gabriel Daurio
Gabriel McGrew
Gregory Shaffer
Jacob Pierce
James Tierney
Jason Basting
Javonny Blea
Jeremias Gonzales
Jeremy Thompson
Jett Coghill
John Wathen
Julian Garcia
Justin Kelsey
Kent Blackstock
Kyle Dizmang
Leif Hayes
Mallette Morgan
Marc Escobedo
Michael Dershem
Nicolas Carter
Norman Mayes
Paul Cassidy
Rogelio Munoz
Scott Chasse
Todd Coakley
S&W
Heath Patterson
Jamil Jackson
Jeremy Burchell
Tra Mar
Dallas Williams
Jeremiah Ballinger
Michael Jennings
