Happy Labor Day Weekend!

by Dave Rauch

With Labor Day coming up this Monday, September 7th, I want to take a moment to recognize just how much hard work and dedication everyone brings to this team every single day. It doesn't go unnoticed, and it's a big part of why we're able to serve our communities and clients so well and we’ve been able to grow to the point we are today.

This weekend is a well-earned chance to rest and enjoy some extra time with family and friends.

For hourly employees, please remember that Labor Day is an unpaid day off. If you'd like to work on Monday instead, just let your supervisor know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly and make sure there's work available.

Whether you're relaxing or choosing to work, thank you for everything you do! Have a great Labor Day weekend!

August Best of ProTec

by Dave Rauch

For over a year, a homeowner had been dealing with an ongoing water intrusion issue, with no one able to figure out where it was coming from or how to resolve it.

Then Ricardo Reyes (Dept.150) showed up.

During his inspection, he was able to identify what appeared to be the source and give her a clear path forward. After a year of frustration, she finally felt like someone knew what needed to be done. She was so relieved and impressed with Ricardo’s knowledge and professionalism that she called us personally to recognize him.

This is what improving quality of life looks like. Great job, Ricardo!

Free Financial Advice for ProTec Employees

by Candy Allen

Did you know that ProTec employees have access to Morgan Stanley financial advisors at no cost?

These advisors are available to answer questions about:

• Retirement planning
• Investments
• Wealth and financial planning
• Estate planning
• Roth and Traditional IRAs

And best of all, there is no charge for this service. It is available to you simply because you are a ProTec employee.

When Should You Talk to an Advisor?

Morgan Stanley recommends checking in with a financial advisor at least once a year. Even if nothing significant has changed, an annual conversation is a great opportunity to review your goals, investments, retirement strategy, and overall financial picture.

It is especially important to check in when something in your life changes. Getting married, buying a home, having a child, changing jobs, receiving an inheritance, approaching retirement, or experiencing another major financial event can all be good reasons to review your financial plan.

Roth IRA or Traditional IRA — What's the Difference?

One question Morgan Stanley would like employees to better understand is the difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA.

With a Traditional IRA, you may receive a tax benefit when you contribute, depending on your individual circumstances. Your money can grow tax-deferred, and you generally pay income taxes when you withdraw the money in retirement.

With a Roth IRA, you contribute money that has already been taxed. You don't receive an upfront tax deduction for the contribution, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free.

So, which is better?

Take Advantage of This Benefit

Financial planning isn't just for people who already have significant savings or investments. An advisor can help whether you're trying to figure out where to start, working toward buying your first home, preparing for retirement, or simply wondering, "Am I doing the right things with my money?"

We encourage every ProTec employee to take advantage of this benefit and schedule an annual financial check-in with Morgan Stanley. 

You can reach out to Jennifer Werve, Senior Vice President (Jennifer.Werve@morganstanley.com 858-729-5142) or Dan Haskard, Senior Vice President (Daniel.Haskard@morganstanley.com 858-729-5141).

Safety First this Labor Day Weekend

by Tim Lampman

If you’re hitting the road this Labor Day weekend, slow down, stay alert, and watch out for other drivers. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going, and never drive distracted or impaired.

If you’re spending the weekend outside, remember to stay hydrated, use sun protection, wear a hat, and don’t overdo it in the heat. Whether you’re grilling, swimming, traveling, or relaxing at home, take a few extra seconds to think about safety and make smart choices.

Having Trouble with Your Skechers Account?

by Liz Teposte

If you’ve tried to log in to the Skechers website to use our employee discount and weren’t able to get in, your account may just need to be reactivated.

We recently ran into this issue when Dave tried to do some shopping. When he attempted to register, he received a message that wouldn’t let him proceed. After calling Skechers, we found out that he already had an account, but because it hadn’t been used in a while, it had been deactivated.

If this happens to you, call the phone number listed on the Skechers flyer. Their team can help reactivate your account by sending you an email to reset your password. Once you reset it, you should be able to log back in and start shopping with your employee discount again!

Dave's Success Tips

by Dave Rauch

Tip #100: Refuse to be swayed by emotion when it conflicts with reason.

Q2 Safety Award

by Neil Carey

Congratulations to Department 760, led by Reynaldo Cristobal, on receiving the Q2 Safety Award!

During the last quarter, Department 760 achieved an outstanding 100% on all Safety KPIs, demonstrating a strong commitment to safety, accountability, and teamwork.

The team also successfully resolved a long-overdue safety issue that had been an ongoing challenge. Their dedication and persistence in addressing this issue demonstrate their commitment to creating a safer and better workplace for everyone.

Congratulations to Reynaldo Cristobal and the entire Department 760 team on this well-deserved achievement. Your hard work, leadership, and commitment to safety set an excellent example for everyone.

Keep up the great work, Department 760!

Welcome New ProTecians

I hope EVERYONE will welcome, and help our new hires, our new family members, adjust and be happy with their new life here at ProTec! BE SAFE!  

Alejandro Estrada Gonzalez - 30

Ivonne Leal Flores - 30

Gabriel M. Leyva Daisson - 150

Bernardo Hernandez - 360