As of Jan. 1, 2024, we welcomed the following individuals as Dairyland employees at our RockGen facility: | Kevin Vizvary, Lead Operations Technician | Danny Berg, Operations Technician III | Joseph Evans, Operations Technician III | Robert Smith, Operations Technician III | Luke Fabrizio, Operations Technician II | Matt Wilson, Operations Technician I | |
In addition, Brandon Nofio, Gas Turbine Engineer, was hired by Dairyland in September and is located at the RockGen site. Brian Treadway has been named Plant Manager, RockGen Energy Center, providing oversight to the team in Cambridge, Wis. Steve Hintz continues to function as the Site Manager, Generation Assets, and is responsible for RockGen in conjunction with other Dairyland generating facilities.
Dairyland acquired the 503 MW RockGen natural gas power plant from an affiliate of Starwood Energy Group Global, LLC, in December 2021. In 2022, Dairyland brought accounting services in-house from PurEnergy and, at the end of 2023, the contract with IHI Power Services for plant operations and maintenance was not renewed.
| Sympathy is extended to Dennis Szafran (Powered Printing) and his family following the Dec. 26 death of his mother, Carol Carlon. Services are taking place today in Daytona Beach, Fla. | |  |
DAIRYLAND DIRECTIONS MEETING FOCUS: 2024 STRATEGIC PLAN | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: People First
The all-hands Dairyland Directions meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11. Dairyland Directions will focus on our 2024 Strategic Plan with divisional priorities, led by Chief Strategy Officer Kevin Nordt and members of the Executive Team. The meeting will be on Microsoft Teams via the link in the Outlook invitation from Deb Mirasola.
Dairyland Directions are held periodically on timely strategic topics. The meeting will provide opportunity for Q&A and will be recorded and posted on the Breaker afterwards, with an expectation that those who are unable to attend view the session.
| MIRASOLA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT | |
Director, Member Relations and Chief Communications Officer Deb Mirasola has announced plans to retire on March 8.
“During my nearly 36-year career with Dairyland, I have strived to further our mission, foster innovation and effectively implement targeted communication strategies to strengthen Dairyland’s brand reputation,” said Deb. “Our constantly evolving industry has provided challenges and vast learning opportunities throughout my career. It has been a privilege to work with our Executive Team and lead our incredible Communications, Member Services and Powered Printing teams who will continue to support our members and cooperative mission as Dairyland moves forward.”
Deb is engaged in the local community through the UW-La Crosse Alumni & Friends Foundation Board and La Crosse Kiwanis Club. She is President Emeritus of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Board of Directors, on which she has served since 2015 and will conclude in March 2024. She is also Past President of the National G&T Communicators Association, UW-La Crosse "L Club" Board (President 2014-2016) and member of the La Crosse Family YMCA Executive Committee/Board (2003-2012).
| MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT: FIRST PULSE SURVEY OPPORTUNITY IS NEXT WEEK | |
Strategic Priority: People First
Dairyland is partnering with WorkTango on employee experience surveys in 2024. The first “pulse” survey will be emailed from WorkTango to all employees on Tuesday, Jan. 9! Survey links are unique – please do not share your link with other colleagues. The survey will be open for two weeks, from Jan. 9 to Jan. 23.
As President & CEO Brent Ridge said in a recent Ask the CEO response on culture, people are what make Dairyland successful. Therefore, feedback from employees is a primary measure used to help direct decisions related to many topics. We are always looking for ways to become better as an organization, with accountability and growth.
Confidentiality guaranteed:
Dairyland is seeking authentic responses through the confidential surveys. By partnering with a third party, your anonymity is assured. It is a guarantee by WorkTango that no-one in the Dairyland organization will have access to information revealing individual respondents.
About the surveys: There will be four types of surveys conducted through WorkTango. Pulse surveys are quick to complete and are anticipated to be released quarterly. In addition, employees will receive one full engagement survey this year (timing TBD). The platform will also be used to conduct Onboarding Surveys for new hires at 21 and 90 days and Exit Surveys for departing employees.
Why WorkTango? The WorkTango surveys are replacing the Great Place to Work survey conducted by Dairyland in 2022. Dairyland is leveraging WorkTango, which is already in place as our rewards and recognition platform. We are expanding into WorkTango’s Surveys and Insights function, recognized as a leading, research-backed platform.
| REMINDER TO REMEMBER YOUR WHY! | |
Why do you choose to work safely?
A constant focus on 200% accountability (for ourselves and our team members) is required to keep everyone going home safe, every day. To encourage that commitment, Dairyland launched the ‘Remember Your Why’ campaign in Q4 2023, focused on reminding us why we choose to work safely. In gratitude, employees were invited to order a Remember Your Why shirt and asked to submit a photo wearing the shirt with the "reasons why" you exemplify 200% accountability (for yourself, family, friends, team members, furbabies, etc.).
Shirts have been distributed and now Dairyland is looking for your photos! Photos of yourself wearing the shirt with your reason why can be submitted by clicking the Remember Your Why Submissions blue button on the Safety Department home page of the breaker. A Remember Your Why submission will be included in the weekly Tailgate Toolkits.
| SAFETY BREAK: START THE NEW YEAR WITH SAFETY TOP-OF-MIND | |
Dairyland Strategic Priority: Safety Culture
The Safety Culture Systemwide Team publishes the Safety Break newsletter for all Dairyland employees. As part of the expectation for 200% accountability to safety, please take time to read it on your own and/or with your team. Safety Break content can also be utilized for Safety Moment topics at work or at home.
In addition to receiving the newsletter in your email, Safety Break is posted on the Breaker home page. The current newsletter spotlights parking lot safety, the impact of “speak up” on Dairyland PPE, Ask the Safety Team, ice fishing shelters & carbon monoxide hazards.
Your ideas are welcome! Contact Katie Thomson if you have thoughts on future content for Safety Break.
| YOU FIRST: WEEKLY WELLNESS NEWS | |
January Focus: Physical Activity
Stay Active this Winter
When winter blows in, you can pull the blankets over your head and go back to sleep—or you can suit up and head out for an outdoor winter adventure! The American Heart Association offers these tips for working out in the cold of winter. Exercising in cooler weather has distinct advantages over working out in warmer weather.
- No heat and humidity. Winter’s chill might make you feel awake and invigorated.
- You may be able to work out longer in cold weather—which means you can burn even more calories.
- It’s a great way to take in the sunlight (in small doses). Not only can light improve many people's moods, it also helps you get some vitamin D.
- Exercise boosts your immunity during cold and flu season. Just a few minutes a day can help prevent simple bacterial and viral infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Try these outdoor activities: Brisk walking, hiking, running, shoveling snow, ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
Try these indoor activities: Home workout circuit, dancing, active housework like vacuuming and sweeping, mall walking, bowling, roller skating, yoga or group classes at the gym, stair climbing.
Source: American Heart Association editorial staff
Increase your Fitness Center Reimbursement from $200 to $400 in 2024!
Submit a picture of yourself, or you and your family/pets staying physically active (indoors or outdoors) to [email protected] by Jan. 31 . One winner will have their fitness reimbursement increased to $400 in 2024!
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