Family Focus Newsletter May 2026

TRAINING | TEAMWORK TRAINING | TEAMWORK

MayBirthdays

Amanda Phillips 5/4

Steve Minella 5/6

Jeff Bourdo 5/7

Andrew Smith 5/10

Aaron Sherill 5/12

Christopher Parks 5/12

Doug Wagner 5/14

Dustin Ott 5/14

Jon Fischer 5/15

Andrew Kiser 5/18

Aaron Karjala 5/22

Will Scott 5/23

Latee Stewart 5/23

Timothy Conwell 5/27

Taplin doing some underground work for Dee Cramer at the new event center, Taplin doing some underground work for Dee Cramer at the new event downtown Kzoo downtown Kzoo

Jack Fowler 5/27

Kyle Zatzke 5/29

JuneBirthdays

Robert Bryant 6/4

Cathy Rhodes 6/4

Brandan Klopf 6/5

Ryan Brown 6/5

Kelsey Verwys 6/6

Kindra Taplin 6/9

Thomas Gross 6/9

Austin Ulch 6/10

Daniel Taplin 6/13

Jerry Blue 6/17

Holly Walter 6/19

Justin Davidson 6/19

Max Shaw 6/19

Rhett Engleright 6/26

Hector Vasquez 6/26

Shawn Zimmerman 6/27

Juan Moore 6/27

Micheal Sunderland 6/29

Lynda’s recruiting booth at the job fair

Thank you Lynda for your dedication to recruiting and representing Taplin

Some responses from our tea answering “How many Taplin Elks can you spot?”

The correct answer was 10 Kendra, Sanae, Jamie, Chris, Amanda, Bob, Cassie, and Sakeena will be entered in a prize drawing.

Congratulations to Congratulations to Chris Bradshaw and Chris Bradshaw and his wife Erika on his wife Erika on welcoming baby girl welcoming baby girl into the

If you ’ re at the Kalamazoo office, be sure to take a peek at the board and share your own answers to the current question: “Do you have any fun summer plans?”

Wren is supporting Taplin’s PFAS Division in her Gator Gear

MIRANDA GERMAN

HR

HR GENERALIST

RAYNARD JOSEY

UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE

LOCATOR

RODERICK ROLARK

REMEDIATION

LABORER

JEREMIAH MARRIOTT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

CHILTON LOSEY

REMEDIATION

OPERATOR

RONALD FROST

REMEDIATION LABORER

ARCHIE LHAMON

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

OPERATOR

MAY SAFETY AWARDS

Glenn Deuster (RS) - Called a stop work as Haul truck started to sink on birm

Ethan Coghlan (UI) - Well written LPO as a new employee

Brandan Klopf (UI) - Coaching Ethan to deliver a well written LPO

Aaron Karjala (RS) - Working safely around heavy equipment and other operators working the same area.

FOCUS

Glenn Deuster (RS) - Working safely around heavy equipment and other operators working the same area

Dareon Martin (RS) - Working safely around heavy equipment and other operators working the same area

Some action shots from CSE Training

Thank you to Safety & Training for providing this knowledge and experience.

Reminder...5100 building houses our Training Divison and Computer Lab. Go get certified and take advantage of your resources!

Training Academy Videos

Taplin Social Media

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Spring Meeting Success

“I would like to give a shout-out to everyone who helped make the Spring Meeting a success! It truly takes a village! I would also like to specifically thank Golda Goodrich, Jamie Braun, Sanae Aube, Amanda Phillips and Kendra Heckman for their willingness to step up and staff stations throughout the day And to Daniel and Kindra Taplin for their help after the event cleaning and loading up.”

-Alexis

Thank you to everyone who attended and thank you to those who were in the field that day.

2026 Pat Taplin Award Julio Martinez

FOCUS

FOCUS

ShoutOuts

Thank you, we appreciate all you do

Jamie Braun

“Consistently communicates where the remediation folks are supposed to go after orientation, coordinates any training they may need, and helps get everyone situated with lodging. Her communication makes the process run smoothly, and her support is truly appreciated.”

Sanae Aube

“Very welcoming and has such fun energy. Puts a smile on everyones faces”. “She is always helpful in getting folks what they need in a timely manner ” .

Kayla Johnson

“She is always supporting everyone and helping wherever she can and being positive all the time”.

“She consistently supports the HR team in a fast and timely manner and always brings a positive, upbeat attitude”.

I started working for the Taplin family back in 2011 when the company was called Terra Contracting. Their Romulus branch was relatively new and expanding its operations in the area. Back then I transitioned from Hazardous Materials Tech work to Field Leader “DTE Spill Response” and held site supervisory roles in the field. When a transition occurred with leadership in this division I made the leap into the Underground Infrastructure Division.

As a CCTV Operator I traveled often, mostly on the west side of the state; Paw Paw, Decatur, New Buffalo, and Niles Township area as well But my origin with CCTV Operating began with the initiation of the Crossbore Project with CMS Primarily in Pontiac & EastPointe

Unfortunately, the project manager at the time was compelled to wear boat shoes and aviator sunglasses onsite to greet Consumers No PPE other than a Hi Vis Vest Naturally the individual was banned from site This then left running the field project operations to me and a couple other site superintendents

To stick to the question, my current role is Crossbore Project Control Specialist. Basically, the “Wizard of Oz” working behind the scenes helping maintain the quality and day-to-day operations for both Consumers Energy & DTE. For many years I recruited friends and friends of my closest cousin to work for Terra that equated to half the Romulus field staff. These close bonds kept this group working together for years. Even to this day one of them remains , Kyle Vena! When I have the opportunity, I have always enjoyed reading for a little escapism, or if time affords it, I try to golf. Maybe one day I’ll join a club/league to play consistenly.

Fun Family Fact, my uncle Paul Cruz is a bit of an adrenaline junky and has been a sky diving instructure his entire career. He has jumped off skyscrapers and performed similar stunts. But more notibly, he has trained army and military service members to prepare them for their paramilitary operations Recently he was on an episode with the cast from Jersey Shore, he jumped in tadem with Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino

Something on my bucket list is I’ve alsways wanted to travel to Scotland & Ireland for as long as I can remember When the kids are older, I certainly plan on it

My “Why” for working here and showing up for my teammates every day is pride, and every since the birth of my first child, I’ve found that inherent desire to provide all I can for them.

From a company/work specific angle, I have always appreciated the Taplin Family’s business There is something more authentic about working for people you get to meet and speak with on a consistent basis. Not just an employee number or asset but more personable. Many individuals I worked with back when I started in 2011 still work for the family today. That is certainly a rarity these days.

Since joining the Taplin Family business, I’ve held seven different roles. I’m looking to keep growing, build achievements I can be proud of, and eventually move up to challenge myself even more.

I sincerly appreciate the opportunities the company has given me. Over the years, I’ve traveled across the country and seen places I likely wouldn’t have experience otherwise.

Also, I still have some Terra Bucks to turn in, would gladly trade them for a company golf polo if available I’ve heard whispers there may be a design with Elks on it!

Just an FYI “Terra Bucks” were awarded to employees who received positive customer feedback while working for Terra Contracting, the OGS may well remember these