essential workers - T-V-S Overcoming Challenges

James Rigsby Celebrates a Decade at TVS

Oct 25, 2024 | News

James Rigsby is celebrating his 10th anniversary at TVS as a level III Material Handler. Over the last decade, James has gained experience and grown with TVS. “I have learned to adapt to new things and to have more patience,” he said. “I enjoy getting to provide needs for production. I really love everything about my job, but my favorite part is the people and being just a phone call away.”

Daily, James (aka Jamie) can be found driving a TVS truck from warehouses to the manufacturing facilities, delivering raw materials for production and finished goods for outbound shipments. He is also hands on with loading and unloading all the materials he transports.

Prior to TVS, Jamie worked at other manufacturers in the area including Meritor, Willco, and Coats America, gaining experience as a forklift operator, truck driver, and material handling.

A native of the area, Jamie graduated from Rosman High School. “I have had the privilege of knowing Jamie his entire life and when I came to work at TVS he was a familiar face that I was pleased to see,” said TVS Employee Support Specialist Tracie Fisher. “Jamie is one of the kindest, most genuine, and hardworking people I know.”

Dependable. Dedicated. Diligent. All words echoed from his peers.

“Not long after I went to work at the warehouse, I found myself working late one evening unloading a truck with another employee,” reflects Tracie. “He was off but stopped by to pick up a package that had been delivered for him. He proceeded to call for permission to clock in and help us with a tote of milk that had been knocked over. I’ve never known Jamie not to help.”

The holiday season holds a lot of Jamie’s favorite memories. For the past few years, he has been frying the Thanksgiving turkey for the warehouse employees. One of his favorite memories is dressing up as Sleepy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. “It was my first year in shipping and receiving, and the whole department dressed up,” said Shipping and Receiving Supervisor Dakota Cobb. “Jamie always goes above and beyond to do what is needed for TVS. I have known Jamie for 9 years; him and the warehouse team feel like family.”

Even on vacation, Jamie will routinely call to make sure he isn’t needed at work. “He cares about his job,” said TVS Warehouse Manager Shannon Merrill. “Jamie is safety conscious and is very good at what he does.”

When not working, Jamie is camping at Lake Keowee with his wife, Cheryl, and his Yorkie, Daisy. They spend time around a fire, walk in the nearby park, swim, and occasionally explore the lake via a pontoon boat with the radio playing, “The King of Country Music,” George Strait.

“Jamie trained me three years ago as a Material Handler and now we talk every day; I call him my brother,” said Kyle. Kyle confirms that there are numerous memories that he can’t share but with a laugh he asks, “Did you know Jamie loves his Pepsi Cola? I remember him attempting to take trash out one day, but it was winter, and the parking lot had iced over. Jamie slipped and fell on the ice. I watched him stand up, shake it off and take a drink of his unspilled Pepsi. He dropped the trash but never let go of his drink.”

Jamie is one of the “three amigos” at the warehouse, along with Kyle and Justin Coye. His friendly and ‘always there to help’ attitude have been key in creating the family-like atmosphere.

“I’m blessed every day, whether it’s good or bad because at the end of the day, this is still the best job I’ve ever had,” reflects James. “This is an outstanding place to work, and I plan to still be right here in 5 more years.”

Photo above: James with wife Cheryl
Photo above: The faces of James and Kyle photoshopped onto the Step Brothers Movie Poster

TVS celebrates NDEAM 2024

Oct 14, 2024 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) today announced it is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment opportunities and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“Our communities and economy are strengthened by the inclusion of all people, including people with disabilities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success and are more important today than ever. We must build an accessible, equitable economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, TVS will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its employees on disability employment issues and its commitment to an accessible and equitable work culture.

“TVS is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Beth Rich, VP of Business Development and Marketing. “We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, particularly those of individuals with disabilities.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages—during October and throughout the year—by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM.

TVS joins annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Oct 5, 2023 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) today announced it is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Advancing Access and Equity.”

The history of NDEAM traces back to 1945, when it started as a week and focused only on people with physical disabilities. Later, it expanded to a full month, and its name and scope evolved to acknowledge the importance of increasing the workforce inclusion of people with all nature of disabilities.

“TVS is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Beth Rich, TVS VP and Business Development and Marketing. “We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities not only in the month of October, but year-round.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, TVS will be educating employees on disability employment issues and its commitment to an accessible and equitable work culture.

“National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds us of the valued contributions people with disabilities make in our nation’s workplaces, and the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 marks a major milestone in our nation’s ongoing quest to advance access and equity for all Americans,” said Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy Taryn M. Williams. “So, from now through October, we will be exploring the act’s impact on everything from employment to community living to non-discrimination to accessible technology.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages—during October and throughout the year—by visiting dol.gov/NDEAM.

Michael Cook celebrates 20 years at TVS!

Jul 31, 2023 | News

“I have been working here for 20 years,” smiles Michael Cook, TVS Production Associate. “It feels good to see my name above the microwave.”

A rotating slide deck on the breakroom TV displays company activities, health messages, important dates for employees to remember, and to Michael’s comment – it celebrates employee anniversaries.

“You can’t think of TVS and not think of Michael,” said TVS CEO Jamie Brandenburg. “One of the highlights of my workday is receiving a warm greeting from Michael in his own unique way. Often, his greetings remind me of something that happened years ago—and he describes the event down to the smallest detail.”

He can be found closing cartons, passing boxes down a conveyor belt, quality checking canisters to make sure they are clean before packing them into boxes, and wiping cans before they are filled with Mountain Maid Pancake and Waffle Mix. “I have always worked here,” says Michael. Throughout the years, he has also worked in the TVS Kitchen preparing lunch for employees and cleaning the warehouse space as a Quality Housekeeper.

While Michael is trained in every area of production his favorite product to work with are the almonds and walnuts. In 2017, TVS started packaged nuts for the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, which are sent to U.S. Troops around the world.

“Once he is shown how to do something, he knows exactly what to do and you never have to show him again,” said Production Manager Brian Wilson. “I have worked with Michael for four years and it is never a dull moment with him. I absolutely love it!”

Michael is described as kind, positive, smart, and as a good singer and master at song lyrics.

“Michael has a memory like the Library of Congress,” said Brian. “I enjoy talking music with him because he knows the words to any song.”

While working, you might find him dancing and working to the beat of the music.

Production Associate Joanna Morgan has worked with Michael for the last eight years. “He really is a good singer; much better than me,” she laughed. “He is cheerful and smiley with a positive attitude. Michael always says, ‘good job Joanna’ and then gives me a high-five. He high-fives everyone when the achieve things.”

Michael is a fixture at TVS – to echo his supervisor and coworker, “he is loved by all, and he is one of my favorite people to work with.”

Michael’s fun and kind personality is reflected in his life outside work. He enjoys The Cracker Barrel, Chocolate Chip Birthday Cake, and Michelangelo – the orange Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

When not at TVS, Michael is enjoying the company of his dogs, Apollo and Nova, along with his 4 cats. His other hobbies include watching game shows like The Price is Right and his favorite sitcoms, Three’s Company and The Jeffersons.

Michael also mentioned past adventures at the Mountain State Fair, where he loved to ride the Ferris Wheel and drive Bumper Cars. He has also been involved in the Transylvania County Special Olympics participating in bowling, soccer, swimming, and track and field competitions.

Reflecting over the years, Michael said, “Today has been a great day.”

TVS Programs Receive Highest Mark on 2023 CARF Audit

Jul 18, 2023 | News

TVS recently received a 3-year Accreditation from CARF, International. The accreditation is an indication of TVS’ dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the individuals we serve in our group homes, day programs, and employment services. TVS was reviewed against 1,126 Quality Standards. At that end of the review, there were no recommendations! Now that is something to be proud of! According to CARF, an accreditation report that identifies no recommendations is achieved in only 3 percent of CARF surveys.

“What an accomplishment,” said Program Director Carla Hill. “This achievement by TVS is the result of many caring and dedicated Direct Support Professionals and Supervisors who believe that helping individuals have the lives they choose is good for the individuals and the community.”

At TVS, CARF evaluates our employment supports, job development, group homes, INTERACT, and Life Skills. The CARF accreditation is an acknowledgement of quality and TVS has been proudly accredited since 1984!

Want to know more about our CARF accreditation?
Click here to view our TVS Programs Monthly Newsletter, In The Loop!