Anniversary profile - T-V-S Overcoming Challenges

TVS celebrates Jamie Owen for two decades of dedicated work

May 24, 2021 | News

In April 2021, Jamie Owen celebrated his 20th year of packaging, line working, and comradery at Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS).

Before coming to work at TVS, Jamie worked as a Supported Employment client and was placed with a job coach at a local store bagging groceries. After a year, Jamie decided to work at TVS. “I liked TVS better because they welcomed me and offered new stuff to do,” said Jamie. “I liked the people.”

Over the years, Jamie has worked in two different areas but with lots of different products from SuperCereal Plus to Bakery Mix and Pancakes. He has been working dependably to supply food to U.S. Military troop, and supplying food for food insecurities, domestic and international on our AbilityOne contracts.

“The AbilityOne contract is what helped to create jobs with flexibility and other accommodations that would not be traditionally found at other jobs,” said TVS HR Director Lauren Hayes. “TVS would not exist if it weren’t for our workers like Jamie. His effort and determination to show up every day and give TVS his all is what keeps us running and able to provide food for people around the world. We are able to accomplish our mission because of his dedication.”

Hardworking, enthusiastic, and optimistic are just a few of the words used to describe Jamie and his work ethic.

“He is one of the most dependable workers we have! He

is always on time, present, and ready to do the job that our managers have for him,” Lauren said. That kind of dependability is hard to find and we are so thankful that Jamie is on team TVS!”

However, you can’t have work and no play. “I look forward to the picnics, with bounce houses and food,” Jamie explained. Over the years, TVS has celebrated employees and their families with annual company picnics that has included catered food, bounce houses, and even dunking booths.

“Jamie is just a real pleasure to work with,” said Production Manager Ernest Williams. Ernest has worked with Jamie over the past 20 years. “He is a great asset to TVS, he is

hard working and almost always willing to do whatever is asked of him.”

When Jamie is not working to help fulfill government contracts, he can be found watching Western movies or ‘cutting-a-rug’ at a local dance or anywhere music is playing.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, TVS and Mountain Area Community Services would sponsor dances for community members to attend.

“Jamie was always dancing. It didn’t matter what the song was, he just loves to dance,” said TVS Warehouse Associate Tracie Fisher. “We would eat pizza and dance. It was a way for individuals with disabilities to get exercise and socializes with their friends.”

Tracie used to work with Jamie after work providing services and helping run errands. “He has such a positive attitude, always happy and optimistic,” she said.

Reflection back on fun memories, Ernest laughs as he remembers their bowling adventures. “We used to go bowling every Wednesday and to see him get a strike and strut back from the lane, it was something to be seen,” Ernest reflects.

Jamie’s other fun activities include, singing country and bluegrass music at the top of his lungs, talking about the Special Olympics, and spending time with his family.

“TVS is a good job. It has changed my life ever since I came here,” he said. It is because of job flexibility and the ever-changing job tasks that Jamie has been able to happily work beside the people that made him want to work at TVS two decades ago.

Recognizing Suzanne Byers for 10 years at TVS

Jul 8, 2020 | News

“Be kind and don’t sweat the small stuff” are the words of wisdom from Suzanne Byers as she reflects back on her decade at Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS). Her 10 years of dedicated service are decorated with glittering smiles, paint, and colored construction paper, as she has assisted with the TVS programs growth into the services we have today.

In 2010, Suzanne Byers was hired as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) to help participants build boxes on the production floor. As the programs have grown and evolved to meet North Carolina standards, so has Suzanne. “When production would be slow, program participants moved into the training room to spend some time on education,” she said. Some of the topics included counting money and eating healthy. They also worked on writing emails to “E-buddies” online.

It was past CEO and Suzanne’s Aunt-in-Law, Nancy Stricker, that suggested that she apply as a DSP in 2010. “It is impossible to believe that 10 years have flown by since she was hired,” said Nancy. “I am so proud of Suzanne. I know she is following her heart and that she will continue the important work she continues to excel in.”

In 2012, Suzanne was promoted to the Activities Coordinator for INTERACT and Life Skills; while also assisting with respite every weekend for three years. She was promoted again in 2017 to her current position as Life Sills supervisor.

Prior to TVS, Suzanne had various jobs, including working at the Boys and Girls Club and as an interim K-12 teacher in Transylvania County. Suzanne attended Brevard College and graduated in 2004 with a double major in Art and English. The following year she achieved her certification in K-12 Education, however Transylvania County Schools did not have any open job positions.

“Her practice of active listening allows her to align regulations and human need together,” Nancy said. “Suzanne’s personal creativity assures that individual participants can do the things they want to do, while experiencing and exploring their interests.”

Suzanne is described by her peers as kind, compassionate, quiet, and an advocate for individuals with disabilities.

“I really appreciate all the good times we have together, Suzanne really builds comradery amongst the team,” said Jonathan Coggins, Life Skills DSP. “She cracks jokes with us and makes us all laugh.”

Outside work, Suzanne can be found spending time with her husband, Sheridan, and their two children; Ellis and Cullen. She loves hiking and running, being in nature, and reading.

“She is a veracious reader,” Nancy said with a laugh. “Therefore, the joke in our family is that you NEVER want to play Trivial Pursuit with her, unless you don’t mind humiliation.”

Suzanne is a member of the TVS book club and has helped organize past TVS events such as group participation in the Brevard Rotary Club 5K runs.

“She is a team player and is always willing to organize larger TVS events,” Program Director Carla Hill said. “She uses art as a medium and our participants respond positively and enjoy this type of self-expression.”

Carla has been Suzanne’s supervisor for the past seven years. “I remember Suzanne helping participants make individual videos that demonstrated a specific area that they were passionate about,” Carla recalls. The project allowed the participants to develop better communication skills, organizational skills, and presentation skills, while also receiving praise from their peers and others in the room.

Suzanne works to help individuals express themselves so that their individuals’ voices are heard.

“From this career, I have become more aware of the different abilities and of the hidden disabilities,” Suzanne said. “People are people, there are no walls built around them like society portrays and you really start to see that when you work with them every day.”

Thinking back on her career at TVS, Suzanne says, “I have more compassion for the person and care less about what people around me think. I am looking forward to continue growing our programs in whatever fluid direction they take.”

Written by Jenifer Welch

Celebrating a decade with Robbie Wright

Dec 4, 2019 | News

“You have no idea what heaven smells like until you walk into the warehouse when it is full of gummy bears,” said Robbie Wright. After 10 consecutive years at TVS, Robbie would know better than anyone what different aromas have filled the warehouse, especially since he has been filling the warehouse with a variety of different packages on numerous occasions.

Robbie works in Shipping and Receiving as a Material Handler but has worked many other jobs including the blending room, hanging bags, and on third shift in sanitation. Recently, Robbie has moved onto the second shift in shipping and receiving.

“Let me put it this way,” said Shipping and Receiving Warehouse Manager Shannon Merrill. “If he worked anywhere else he would be above expectations. He sets the bar high.”

A decade at TVS is not the entire story, Robbie first worked at TVS in the 90s.

“He worked steady and hard and he quickly became someone we could all depend on,” said friend and former Warehouse Manager Deborah Hall. “Watching him grow into his job and role was so rewarding, but watching his growth as an individual was such a blessing. He came out of his shell and gained confidence in himself.”

COO Becky Alderman also remembers Robbie from his warehouse days describing him as a hard worker and dependable. “I first met Robbie when he was young,” Becky said. “He has always been an amazing employee. He is unfailingly polite and you can always count on him.”

In between his times at TVS, Robbie worked as an Over-the-Road (OTR) truck driver traveling across the United States. However, he was laid off in 2008 while home for the holidays.

“My favorite job at TVS is driving the truck,” said Robbie. “You work your butt off loading the truck and then you get in the truck and it is like your own little office with a radio and air conditioning.”

“Robbie is a good worker,” said friend and Material Handler Archie Harris. “He also likes to have a good time and joke around.”

Robbie has always had a reputation as a trickster. “I remember us all finding out Robbie had a sense of humor and that he could be a bit mischievous from time to time like hiding things from the warehouse manager,” Deborah said.

“I brought a shock pen to work one time,” said Robbie. “It was funny when people asked to use it.” Even Archie agreed saying, “it was funny to watch people jump when they got ahold of it.”

His jokes do not end there, they also include scaring his coworker and friend Jamie Rigsby with bats and a stink spray that smells like a bathroom. Other stories, that can not be listed here, are told with laughs and a smile.

All jokes aside, Robbie is described by peers as; loyal, quiet, head tough, and as being a gentle giant.

“He is a model of consistency and has an unwavering commitment to TVS that is simply remarkable,” CEO Jamie Brandenburg said.

“He hasn’t changed a bit over the years,” commented Archie. “You don’t have to ask him for help, he just jumps in and starts helping.”

Robbie has helped TVS grow and change over the past decade and he is ready for whatever TVS needs him to do, whether it is changing shifts or reorganizing the warehouse. Robbie said, “I do whatever I can; I am happy where I am at.”

With a chuckle, Robbie said, “I hope the new hires have their running shoes on if they are coming into shipping.” And if they come in work beside Robbie, this statement could not be any more accurate.

Recognizing Lechai Owen for 10 years at TVS

Oct 21, 2019 | News

“When I was first hired they sucked me in with their caring nature,” Lechai Owen said with a laugh. It has been 10 years since Lechai became part of the TVS team.

“It was such an awesome welcoming that it felt like a family. It made me want to be here, I could see and feel the values we stand for,” she said. “I am forever, both personally and professionally, appreciative of my time here.”

Lechai is leaving TVS as the Accounts Receivable Specialist. She was originally hired into payroll and billing in 2009, and has also been the customer service representative for the troop contracts.

“Lechai was a huge help with the billing of the government contracts,” said COO Becky Alderman. “Her competency made my life so much easier.”

Described as a ray of sunshine, smart and inventive, Lechai is valued by her TVS peers and supervisors.

“She is one of those people that you always count on,” said Production Scheduler and Purchasing Manager Donna Stroup.

There was one winter where Donna broke her right arm while walking her dogs and Lechai broke her left while extreme sledding. “It was a ball of fun at work,” and Lechai. “Together we made one person.”

Lechai’s other memories include Christmas parties with Santa and a hayride, dumpster diving at the warehouse, and company picnics with dunk tanks.

“I was in the dunk tank one year so my former boss, Rilla Hughart, could dunk me prior to her retiring,” said Lechai.

Before this year, Lechai organized the past company picnics with activities including; dunking booths, water balloons, and egg races.

“She is a classic pie-in-the-face kinda gal,” said Becky. “Her upbeat disposition constantly had everyone enjoying their time.”

Robin Ervin, Customer Relation Specialist said, “It doesn’t matter if it is for fun or work related, she is constantly thinking ahead.”

This current year, Lechai was the star pitcher for the TVS softball team and has participated on the company volleyball team in past years. She is also a member of the TVS book club, and has been seen around Halloween dressed up as Mrs. Potato Head or a witch.

“Lechai will forever be the original fun fairy at TVS, you know when she is in the room.” said CEO Jamie Brandenburg. “She was always pushing to be festive for the holidays and decorating the facility with Christmas lights.”

Family is an important aspect in Lechai’s life. Outside TVS, she can be found enjoying the company of her pups, Mickey and Mia.

“When she adopted Mickey, I think I began to understand what she was really made of,” said Former CEO Advisor, Nancy Stricker. “Even though it wasn’t work related, it spoke to me about her ability to be loyal and her strength to work through the hard stuff.”

Looking back on her TVS family, Lechai said, “I am most thankful for my supportive coworkers and this wonderful work family. It is the little moments that have made it awesome to work here.”

Even people who are not directly involved in any of the TVS programs have been impactful. “There is one man that calls every week to check on Robin and me,” she said.

There was one year where Lechai and Robin sent him a birthday card. When he called to thank them for act of kindness, he jokingly said, “You know Christmas is coming soon, will I get a card then, too?”

As an ambassador of TVS, Lechai has been the face a lot of clients and families have come to know over the years.

“She will be greatly missed,” said Becky. “She has seen TVS through some tough times but she has hung with it and has helped bring us to our good times.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and to be a part of this amazing company,” said Lechai. “It has humbled me.”

Written by Jenifer Welch

Honoring Cathy Miller for 25 Years of Service

Aug 15, 2019 | News

Cathy Miller has worked at Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) consecutively for 25 years working in many different departments. Prior to her consecutive years, Cathy was previously hired at TVS in the 80s bringing her grand total to 37 years of experience.

Before coming to TVS, Cathy worked at the Brevard Music Center in the kitchen. She continued with her love of being in the kitchen as one of her many jobs at TVS.

Cathy’s first job at TVS was as a production worker making x-ray film boxes for the DuPont Company and loading them into large gaylords. Cathy has also worked in the kitchen, in the INTERACT program with Gwenda Schuler as her Supervisor, as a machine operator, and as a production operator as TVS has grown and evolved over the years.

“My favorite place to work is in production on line four packaging bakery mix and when we were packaging chocolate chips,” said Cathy. “I am looking forward to seeing new products and switching up my jobs around here.”

TVS CEO Jamie Brandenburg said, “We are blessed to have Cathy as a part of the TVS family for 25 years. Having employees with such longevity is part of what makes TVS such a special place to work!”

While the list of stories Cathy could tell about TVS would take hours, her favorite memories revolve around the company picnics, Christmas parties surrounded by families of coworkers, and the TVS award ceremonies.

“From all the picnics, I have a huge stack of shirts,” said Cathy. “I also really enjoyed going to the Source America National Conference in Atlanta. That was a good time.”

Other memories date further back to when TVS had a kitchen that served different food daily including: hot dogs, lasagna, or salad. “I miss working with past supervisors, Vera Harris and Era Byers, from the DuPont days,” Cathy said.

Becky Alderman, COO, has been on the journey with Cathy since the beginning of her career at TVS. “Cathy is one of the original employees,” said Becky. “She is a part of TVS that helps pass on our culture by quietly helping new people by showing them the right away.”

According to Cathy, Becky and retired CEO, Nancy Stricker “were like second moms” and claimed, with a laugh, that they would say that they raised her. However, Becky disagreed by saying, “We all raised each other, we had a lot to learn and it was so important that we all supported each other.”

Cathy is interwoven into the fabric of TVS and does have some advice after 25 years, “Be yourself, go by the rules and don’t get in trouble ‘cause it don’t take much to get into trouble.”

Her hobbies outside work include baking desserts, working in a garden, and crafting. Luckily, for fellow employees at TVS some of her passions show up at work.

“She has been so sweet to remember my birthday,” Becky said. “She always drops a little something off.” For Becky’s birthday a few years ago, Cathy created a t-shirt that made a funny play on Becky’s birthday falling on Tax Day.

“The company is blessed to have her,” said Becky. “I don’t know where we would be without her.”

For the birthday of Cathy’s best friend, Patricia Fisher, she made a Better Than Sex cake.

“She needs to open her own restaurant and bake,” said Pat.

Pat works in Housekeeping and has been laughing with Cathy for 22 years. “I remember Cathy telling me, ‘don’t get overwhelmed’ when I was first hired,” recalls Pat. “Back when we first started, we sometimes had to work weekends and we would be so tired that we would just laugh and then Vera would laugh, just making us laugh even harder.”

Cathy is a kind and gentle soul that you could call if you ever needed help.”

Operations Manager Mark Mulenex has worked with Cathy for 19 years. “Cathy always brings in pies and cakes for the guys on their birthdays, but she sneaks them in and leaves them on the desk,” said Mark.

Cathy has always been the person behind the scenes, never wanting to be the center of attention but also viewed as a mother figure on the production floor.

“She is always seen smiling and laughing when she is here and is missed when she has a day off,” said Mark. “She is strong and dedicated; a true TVS person ever since I’ve known her.”

Written by: Jenifer Welch