The KnowZone

SQ Employee News: January 2025

Date: January 17, 2025

SQ Employee Newsletter - January 2025

Embracing 2025 - A Message from Employee Services

Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2024, let's take pride in our accomplishments and look ahead to the exciting opportunities 2025 has in store. This new year is a fresh start—a chance to reflect, recharge, and set us up for success in the months ahead.

2024 Vacation Extension – We are please to announce that we will be extending the time to use vacation earned in 2024 until January 31 st , 2025. After this date, anything over 40 hours will be paid out at 25% on 2/7/2025. Please see the Employee Handbook
for details.

HealthJoy App – All SQ Employees who participate in Stratosphere Health Benefits have access to the HealthJoy App. HealthJoy helps make your healthcare & wellness easier! Included in your membership is access to 24/7 healthcare information based on
your specific goals and needs. Simply download the app and start experiencing the benefits!

Teladoc – Additionally, all US employees that download HealthJoy will have access to Teledoc -24/7 on-demand access to virtual medical care! What conditions can Teladoc help with? Sore throat, Stuffy nose, Bronchitis, Allergies, Poison ivy, Pink eye, UTI, Sinus problems, Cold and Flu symptoms, and more! Virtual visits are free! We encourage to take advantage of this wonderful resource! For any questions, feel free to reach out to benefits@stratospherequality.com.

W2 Information – It’s almost Tax Season! W2’s will be available after 1/22/2025 in ADP and will be mailed to home addresses on file. Please contact payroll@stratospherequality.com with any questions/concerns.

2025 Holiday Calendar (PDF) – Download our 2025 Holiday Calendar (PDF)

Employee Spotlight: Alexis Watts

Meet Alexis, a dedicated member of the Stratosphere Quality team!

At 28 years old, Alexis has been with the company for an impressive four years. She is not just a hardworking professional but also a proud mother of four: Journey, Jaliya, Jamari, and Manazzi.

Alexis credits her kids as her biggest motivation, inspiring her to keep pushing forward every day. In her free time, Alexis treasures quality moments with her children, whether it’s creating fun TikToks, sharing laughter, watching movies, or diving into her passion for research and studies. If she could change the world, her dream would be to find a cure for cancer.

When it comes to her work environment, Alexis thrives in a detail- and family-oriented workspace where people are valued, respected, and heard. She emphasizes the importance of safety, knowledge (whether it’s about projects, tools, SOP14, or the employee handbook), communication, and teamwork. For Alexis, “Teamwork makes the dream work” is more than just a saying—it’s a principle she lives by.

Before joining Stratosphere Quality, Alexis worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) starting in 2016. She also gained valuable experience in quality inspection for other businesses, which provided a solid foundation for her transition to Stratosphere.

Her journey began when her aunt Alesha encouraged her to start as a temporary associate and work her way up. That advice led to Alexis’s dream come true: a fulfilling career at Stratosphere Quality.

Alexis is passionate about her role and plans to continue growing within the company. “I simply love what I do!” she shares. Starting as a temp and climbing the ladder has fueled her motivation to excel. She firmly believes, “If you love what you do, it won’t feel like a job.” Her advice to new Quality Inspectors joining Stratosphere? Be open to learning new things, ask plenty of questions (there’s no such thing as a naive question), and always be a true team player. Alexis believes these qualities will lead to success within the company.

Thank you, Alexis, for your hard work, dedication, and inspiring journey. We’re lucky to have you as part of the Stratosphere Quality family!

Recipes

Do you have a favorite recipe from your childhood, a recipe for a dish that everyone wants you to bring to a pitch in, or maybe a favorite from online? We would love for you to share your special recipes with us!

Send them in to sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

10 and 15 Year Anniversaries

10-Year Service Awards

Bradley Keppel – Indianapolis Production
Nareicy OKeefe – Project Support

5 Year Anniversaries

Amber Hodges Plumb – Indianapolis Production
David Stressman – Battle Creek Production
Donald Mccarty – Tennessee Staff
Jamese Blake – Honda Alabama Production
Maria Cerriteno – Northern California Production
Pa Vue – Northern California Production
Rodney Hardin – Alabama Production
Shannon Walker – Indianapolis Production
Travis Lynch – Indianapolis Production

1 Year Anniversaries

Amanda Poteat – Duncan Production
April Williams – Mansfield Production
Arnel Brown David – Indianapolis Production
Benjamin Cummins – Marysville Production
Bryan Peña – Chrysler Detroit Production
Bryonna Sutton – Indianapolis Production
Christopher Cavins-Detrick – Sidney Production
Christopher Goode – Honda Georgia Production
Darius Matthews – Honda Georgia Production
Dylan Miles – Tennessee Production
Gabriela Martinez Alvarez – Lexington Production
Gary Formella – Battle Creek Production
Jacob Tyler – Dayton Production
Jaquii Walker – Pennsylvania Production
Jason Walton – Lincolnton Production
Jesus Ramirez Jerez – Chrysler Detroit Production
John Manaugh – Indianapolis Production
Kenneth Baker – Chrysler Detroit Production
Kenneth Davis – Chrysler Detroit Production
Kevin Burnett – Chrysler Detroit Production
Kirenia Tabares Alvares – Detroit Production
Leah Pierson – Georgia Production
Luis Rosario – Georgia Production
Marketta Bursey – Mississippi Production
Moniquea Brown – Honda Georgia Production
Natalie Britton – Marysville Production
Phillip Biddle – Detroit Production
Riquerlin Santana – Pennsylvania Production
Ryan Jones – Indianapolis Production
Sean Carmean – Dayton Production
Stephanie Ramirez – Pennsylvania Production
Teresa Mercado – Duncan Production

Pets of the Month

We would love to see your pet, send in a picture and description to sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com

Murphy

Murphy is an 11-month-old Golden Retriever full of energy and personality. He’s a playful and curious pup who has a special bond with his favorite toy—a bright orange carrot that he loves to fetch and chew on. Murphy’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop there; he’s also a big fan of frozen carrots, which keep him cool during his many adventures. He spends hours chasing squirrels and exploring every nook and cranny in his backyard. Pet Parent – Allison Theobald, Internal Account Representative, Support Center

Promotions

Congrats to our employees who were promoted!

QI to TL 4
TL to PS 8
PS to PM 1

Total promotions 13

Allan Medrano (Quality Inspector → Team Leader)
Andrew Lemmon (Quality Inspector → Team Leader)
Jacqunette Ivey (Quality Inspector → Team Leader)
Rosario Chen (Quality Inspector → Team Leader)

Adam Long (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Charles Henry (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Heather Michalski (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Jade Wolf (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Jasmine Youssef (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Marcos Jimenez (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Nickie Callaway (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)
Tyler Benjamin (Team Leader → Project Supervisor)

Nakeia Woodruff (Project Supervisor → Project Manager)

Faces of SQ

If you would like to see your team highlighted, send a picture to sqnewsletter@stratospherequality.com

**Please be mindful not to capture any customer names, customer employees, or parts in your pictures.

Celebrating Tyler Shafer

Celebrating Tyler Shafer on his last day with our West Michigan team! He’s off to pursue new adventures in school, and while he’ll be greatly missed, we’re so excited for what’s ahead. Left to right: Jaylen’s girlfriend, Jaylen Jennings, Tracey Allred, Judy Oliver (on the floor), Tara Durham, Cheryl Meade, Jessica Mitchell, Rachel Moore, Tyler Shafer, Brian Prins, and Chris Weirick.