Conveying Conversations

Tom Ross

As the new COO here at Cambridge International, we’re all wondering what makes Tom Ross tick – who is he, where has he been and how does he feel about joining the Cambridge team? Here are some personal, and not-so-personal, questions from our curious crew:

Kelly Hayden	What other companies have you worked for and where were they located? By Kelly Hayden Tom’s response: I worked for the Eaton Corporation in Shenandoah, Ia. for 15 years and then transitioned to Standard Register Company where I worked in Tampa, Fla., Salisbury, Md., and York, Penn., for about four years.
Bill Neild	Who invented the LIFO inventory accounting system? By Bill Neild Tom’s response: Great question, but I don’t know.
Tom Crotti Jr	What are your hobbies? By Tom Crotti Jr Tom’s response: Most of my hobbies have been put on hold because of my girls’ basketball schedules but I like to play golf, basketball and read.
Barry Voshell	What is the one major thing that motivates you? By Barry Voshell Tom’s response: Building an enduring business.
Mike Spencer	Are the temps a part of the incentive program? If not, why? By Mike Spencer Tom’s response: Yes, because they are a part of our success. Who’s the best in the NBA, LeBron or Kobe? Tom’s response: The rings tell the truth. Kobe!
Erin Hottle	Throughout your entire life/career, what would you say is your biggest accomplishment? By Erin Hottle Tom’s response: Building a team that totally transformed a facility and ensured employment for the employees for years to come.
Chad Scheve	What is your favorite saying? By Chad Scheve Tom’s response: “What are you running, a circus?”
Bill Henson	How do you like working with Cambridge employees? By Bill Henson Tom’s response: I’m honored to work with such great people. How is it different from where you’ve worked before? Tom’s response: While every place I have worked has had their unique opportunities and challenges, I have been blessed to work with great people. Cambridge is no exception.
Kathy Adkins	How does the culture and business environment at Cambridge International differ from your past professional experiences? By Kathy Adkins Tom’s response: The business environment and culture is very comparable to other companies I’ve worked for.
Barry McInturff	What is your annual budget for speeding tickets? Is your budget higher or lower than Mrs. Hillaert’s budget? By Barry McInturff Tom’s response: If this jinxes me, you’re paying the ticket! Ha ha! I have not had a ticket in 7 years.

Looking for something to do this weekend?  Be a part of a local tradition and come on out to Great Marsh Park for the Cambridge Classic!  For the 100^th consecutive year the Cambridge Power Boat Regatta Association (CPBRA) will be hosting a world class boat racing event July 22 – July 25.  Over 150 teams from across the US and Canada will provide thrills, spills and chills on what is promising to be a steamy weekend here on the shore.

Photo from http://www.cpbra.com

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There is something about family picnics that make you see your coworkers as real people.  I mean, more real than they seem when you’re brainstorming product development, or chatting about the weather at the water cooler or even when you’re staring at one another during a department meeting. 

Family Fun

Sure, you’ve heard them talk about their kids, you’ve probably even seen pictures of their little ones.  But it’s not until you see them interacting with, caring for, and even bringing a smile to the face of their children that you feel that maybe you are more alike them than you had thought.

Not to mention, company picnics give employees a chance to talk to one another on a more casual timeframe, well, unless you brought your toddler with you who will not let you stand still for even one minute! 

The smiles on everyone’s faces illustrated the fun they were having…even in the hot summer sun.  The food catered by Jimmy’s Grill of Bridgeville, Delaware.  An array of fried chicken, burgers and the best hot dogs my husband has ever had in his whole life were available for consumption.  In addition, numerous sides illuminated the tent, drawing the guests to it like a swarm of bees. 

In the distance, children were popping up into the air like crickets in July.  Then down again.  The bouncy house was THE place to be for the youth population. 

Families have never felt so close to one another as they ran intertwined in the three-legged race.  Big and small, the teams tripped over eachother in a tussle for the grand prize…yes, it’s true, a super soaker!  There was a cheery clown who welcomed the kid’s faces as her blank canvas upon which she painted butterflies, tigers and dragons – oh my!

And then….

WAIT FOR IT….

The ice cream man pulled down the long dusty drive.    Faces, young and old, lit up at the sight of the sweet, cold relief.  A watermelon eating contest followed leaving two with trophies.  The fun came to an end and employees left with a gift in hand.