A note from 8-koi headquarters :: fall 2022
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A shift in seasons may have you gearing up for the holidays, making plans to gather with friends and family and finding comfort in the familiar during change.
Reflecting on how 8-koi has changed, grown and adapted over its 14 years I can’t help but think of the people who helped along the way and carried our mission to current day. It takes a competent team to fulfill our objective to: design, build, staff and supply. It takes fostered connections with communities to flourish. It’s a personal and professional practice to nurture and invest in meaningful relationships – the rewards are worth it.
The very values 8-koi was founded on – passion, excellence, dependability, thoughtfulness – are the same attributes we celebrate in our team mates and what builds our reputation in our communities. It’s an every day practice to see these strengths in each of us.
In this issue of WAVES you’ll find reasons to celebrate team members and the growth they’ve gained when challenges have been overcome and when the focus and commitment to their reason why is the impetus for purposeful change.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.
—Margaret Mead
I see the passion, excellence, dependability and thoughtfulness in you, and I am grateful.
Inspired,
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Inga I. Young
Founder and President
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KUDOS to Provider Network Relations (PNRD Specialist Tiffany Eubank for providing exceptional support to multiple programs, but especially for DOD 4th Estate! |
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PROGRESS WITH OUR 4 Ps:
People, Programs, Processes and Pipeline
The 8-koi team continues to gain traction going into the last quarter by executing excellent “Human Touch” operations. Here are some of our third quarter highlights:
PEOPLE:
- In our organization, we welcome new team member Chandler Holder, assistant FSO supporting our Suntree office operations.
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Offering a helping hand and heavy lifting during our recent office consolidation at headquarters in Suntree, thank you: Matt Rebholz, Chandler Holder, Kyle Coppa-Cross and our guest mover Tim McCarty. Big thanks to everyone for moving furniture, unpacking and organizing.
- Ariane “Ari” Durgin’s valued contributions has led to her being promoted to the CDE Project Coordinator.
- Positive customer feedback:
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Senior Medical Trainer, Joe Ogershok: “Service has been nothing but exceptional. Contractor has surpassed the expectation/requirements. A true attribute to MRMC.”
- PNRD Specialist, Tiffany Eubank (pictured above) – “Provided exceptional support to multiple Acuity programs over the past year but especially for DOD 4th Estate. Recently, Tiffany went over above and beyond and was able to onboard a new Virginia clinic that will support one of our largest agencies on our program. Tiffany not only onboarded them, but she took special care to ensure that the clinic could support all requirements, set up a call with the clinic and client to go over requirements of the program and kept the program involved every step of the way. Throughout this process she never gave excuses, only solutions, worked with us as a team, was collaborative in her efforts, remained positive, and was gracious. We are so thankful for the work that PNOps does for us, and we are exceptionally grateful for the special handling that Tiffany delivered on our program. Our client is really excited to have this facility in network.”
PROGRAMS:
Construction
8-koi was recently awarded the following contracts:
- Restore Finishes Provide Electrical and Data contract at NAS Jax
- HVAC System at NOSC at Tampa, FL
- VAB HB4 Modification (Project Scheduling) at KSC, FL
Design Engineering
Cape Design Engineering successfully captured contracts supporting multiple federal, state and county agencies. Some projects include:
- Continuing Engineering Services Volusia County School Board
- AHU 2-1 Fan Array at Palm Beach State College
- Professional Serv - Consultants for Structural Design in support of Brevard County Public Works
- Design to Remove and Replace 66-foot Flex Hose Tower at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Healthcare
8-koi’s healthcare division recently competitively bid and won the DHA Emergency Dispatch Services Contract. 8-koi will operate this contract at Walter Reed.
Technical Services
8-koi won a federal contract for a Washington DC based agency that includes front office and administrative support.
PROCESS: We gained further traction by focusing on continuous improvement - our “Big Rocks.”
- The finance team - Chris Manning, Nan Woltz, Amy Sigmon - continues to work hard and quiet behind the scenes to ensure our proposals are priced right and our people are paid.
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The HR and recruiting team - May Rilo and Carlos Badillo - continue to find qualified candidates for proposal contingent and open positions.
PIPELINE: We continue to leverage our 8(a) eligibility – valid until April 2023. 8-koi won a total of 15 contracts and identified 63 new business development opportunities that are being evaluated for pursuit this quarter. As always, we're pursing both prime and sub-contractor opportunities and are open to opportunities, newbusiness@8-koi.com.
As a team we continue to build on our strengths and work through the challenges and unknowns that arise. We have the momentum we need and a strong team with the right tools to make our shared goals a reality.
As always, your questions, suggestions and thoughtful emails are welcome.
Onward,
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Engineers Welcome Here!
We're accepting resumes.
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CDE's Kyle Findlater Earns P.E. |
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"My biggest career highlight so far has definitely been achieving my Professional Engineering License."
Kyle joined CDE in July 2021and now serves as the lead designer and project manager for the structural engineering department. His inspiration? The hit TV show Prison Break.
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MEET THE TEAM :: May Rilo
HR/Recruiter
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May joined the 8-koi team last April, 2021, and serves in the human resources and recruiter role. Her previous career in healthcare includes 22 years of experience in various states doing CT scans and mammography as a X-ray tech. Realizing a passion to serve others and help educate and train, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Keiser University in human resources and criminal justice.
Just as she enjoyed helping others through their healthcare journey, May enjoys supporting job candidates through their employment journey. Day to day her primary focus is coaching new employees about their benefits, coordinating verification processes and improving the orientation process. May assists with recruiting candidates and last year headed up the holiday collection of toys for underprivileged youth in Brevard County.
Born in Cuba, raised in Chicago, May was fortunate to cheer on the Cubs and Bulls at home games.
“Chicago offered me a chance to have a diverse group of friends from different backgrounds and cultures,” she said.
Since 2003, May has lived in Merritt Island, Florida, and enjoys the winters and being outdoors as much as possible. She’s mom to one adult daughter and enjoys her two grandsons, nine-year-old Troy and six-year-old Leo, both soccer players. Spending time with family, reading, watching movies, going on bike rides, camping and traveling make up her favorite things to do outside of the office.
Thinking back to her childhood and her family’s emigration from Cuba in 1966, a few years after Castro took power, May shares memories of arriving with her family at the Miami Airport.
“We were provided a temporary place at a refugee camp in a military base in Miami. My mother, father and grandmother all had to be investigated by many US government agencies before we could leave. I was the oldest child - my sister and brother and I were all babies when we came to the US. I have a deep appreciation for the soldiers who made us feel safe there, showing us kindness,” she said.
No one in May’s family spoke English; communication was a challenge. Although she doesn’t remember how long her family stayed at the base before being cleared to leave, she does recall one of the soldiers and his wife becoming close to her and her family.
“They would come to visit us daily; brought us all treats we had never eaten before and even brought toys for me, my sister and brother,” May said.
Her family was not allowed to bring any personal items when they left Cuba. May remembers her grandmother’s brother hiding family pictures in the lining of suitcases and her parents hiding jewelry in the heels of shoes.
Once they were able to leave the military base, her parents decided to make Chicago their home and that’s where she was raised. The rest of her family still lives there.
“That is why I have such an appreciation for our military service personnel and their families. Their service and sacrifice means a lot to me.”
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Would you like to be featured in WAVES?
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Happy Birthday
October
5 – Catherine Ochoa
6 – Ivana Trillo Cruger
10 – Cesar Flores
11 – Matthew Gough
13 – Jessica Mora
14 – Kathryn Ansel
16 – Angel Juarez
17 – Elizabeth Anchondo
18 – Sasha Haughton
20 – Keith Barron
23 – Joseph DeBlasio
24 – Inga Young
25 – Eva Smith
25 – Tanya Montoya
26 – Steven Passaro
29 – Fernanda Rios
29 – Hugo Hinestroza
30 – Sandra Tovar
30 – David Molina Saucedo
November
4 – James McGowan
5 – Carmen Arguelles
6 – Thomas Bliss II
6 – Haide Miranda Sangrey
10 – Joseph Ogershok
11 – Elidora Loveless
12 – Javier Polendo
14 – Vianney Ronquillo
15 – Lesley Lauriano
15 – Jorge Rivera
17 – Elizabeth Anchondo
17 – Tania Unzueta
19 – Alfonso Ramirez-Mendoza
19 – Diana Velasquez
22 – Leonardo Marentes
22 – Rank Rangel
30 – Eric Reynolds V
December
3 – Monick Lugo
4 – Otto Herrera
5 – Carlos Gonzalez
5 – Azucena Carrasco
6 – Linda Olguin
7 – Yesenia Molina
9 – Benita Lee
12 – Maria Barajas
18 – Jose Aguilera
20 – Maidilia Rilo
21 – Carmen Bryant Dallas
21 – Patrick Kimener
22 – Jose Osorto
23 – Ariane Durgin
27 – Marcela Salcedo
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Happy Work Anniversary
October
1 year – Jamie Acasta, Recreation Specialists
1 year – Blanca Hernandez, Case Aide
1 year – Gabriel Herrera, Site Manager Level 1
1 year – Jose Osorto, Case Aide
1 year – Danya Parson, Case Manager
1 year – Daniel Quezada, Case Aide
1 year – Idaly Villalobos, Case Aide
1 year – Jared Jacobs, CAD Designer Level III
1 year – Jorge Rivera, Electrical Engineer I
1 year – Leonardo Marentes, Recreation Specialists
2 years – Bennett Garner, Mechanical Engineer IV
2 years – Sasha Haughton, Medical Office Clerk
4 years – Benita Lee, Medical Record Tech
4 years – Cheryl Sills, Nurse Case Manager
5 years – Otto Herrera, VP Construction Division
7 years – James McGowan, Construction Site Manager
November
2 years – Nanette Woltz, Accounting Lead
3 years – Dean Rosenquist, COO
15 years – Lance Beck, CAD Designer Level III
18 years – Sami Mized, Director of IT/Marketing
December
1 year – Kiana Kirk, Telephone Operator
1 year – Nora Santana, Mental Health Clinician
1 year – Suann Willoughby, Cybersecurity Engineer Princ.
2 years – Steven Passaro, Construction Site Manager
3 years – Von Coleman, Fitness Data Analyst
6 years – Joseph DeBlasio, Construction Project Manager
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Nominations Open for STEM Education Innovator Awards
The Women in Defense Space Coast Chapter is accepting nominations to recognize individuals, organizations and companies for their innovation supporting STEM in one more or more of the following areas:
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STEM Leadership Star of the Year supports and promotes STEM in an ongoing effort throughout the community in innovative ways.
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STEM Educator of the Year increases opportunities for students and teachers to expand their knowledge and appreciation of STEM-related curriculum, projects and/or career paths.
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STEM Mentor of the Year dedicates time to growing the next generation of STEM professionals through one-on-one and/or group activities (for example, an adult or student volunteering to support or create a STEM-related club or activity).
Nominations are due December 15,2022, and can be made by submitting online or by sending nominations to STEM@scwid.org. Winners will be announced during the WID Space Coast Chapter’s Tenth Anniversary celebration on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023. Read more about STEM on the Space Coast at https://scwid.org/stem/.
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All Hands Meeting
December 1, 2022
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It's Hurricane Season. Are you prepared? |
Even if you don't live in the hurricane zone, it's important to have a plan and be prepared for seasonal weather events. Find out what you need to make it through the storm at Ready.gov.
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From the Desk of Facility Security Officer Matthew Rebholz:
A new law, Senate Bill 764, requires agencies and local government to report cybersecurity incidents within 24 hours of detection, according to the July 15th Insider Risk Newsletter.
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8-koi Veterans Employee Resource Group NOW ONLINE!
Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERGe) helps to "codify a framework attracting, hiring, retaining, nurturing and developing veterans within our organization."
Learn more about available resources at 8-koi.com. |
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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
8-koi and, its wholly owned subsidiary, Cape Design Engineering (CDE) are Equal Opportunity Employers. 8-koi and CDE do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.
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Keystone Benefit Group
8-koi's New Employee Benefit Consulting Firm
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DO YOU LOVE 8-koi?
Our Google profile lets people know what we have to offer, and you all know best. Please take a minute to give us some stars and leave a short comment.
If there is something we can be doing better, please do not hesitate to reach out to our leadership team first.
THANK YOU for the LOVE!
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PASSION | EXCELLENCE | DEPENDABILITY | THOUGHTFULNESS |
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Are you all caught up with
8-koi kurrents?
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Read past issues of WAVES
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Look out for more WAVES!! |
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8-koi, Inc. has complied with the passage of an interim rule to bridge the gap toward full transition to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. The Department of Defense is requiring all contractors with the clause at Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.204-7012 in their contracts to conduct a self-assessment of NIST SP 800-171 standards and enter their results into the Supplier Performance Risk System by November 30, 2020. Contractors who have not entered their results by that deadline will not be eligible for an award on a contract containing DFARS 252.204-7012.
Click here for more information.
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