Save the Date

Blood Drive for Spokane Facility. Vitalant will be coming onsite on June 17^th from 8:30 to 11:30am. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and hospitals rely on donations like ours to help their patients. Appointment slots are still open for more volunteers.

Health Challenge

The Duel is over! The winners will be announced soon. Congratulations to all that competed in this challenge!

Special Dates in June

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and National Safety Month

6^th – D-Day and National Cancer Survivors Day

14th - Flag Day

19th - Father's Day and Juneteenth

20th - National Bald Eagle Day

21^st – First Day of Summer (Summer Solstice)

Employee Spotlight

Employee: Jaime Santana

Position: Project Manager

Hi! My name is Jaime Santana. I have a Spanish name and it is pronounced, Hi-Meh. I also go by Santana; it is much easier to say. I’m a newer Project Manager, I’m bilingual, and have worked on a couple Mexico jobs, my first day was Jan 31st of this year.  

I was born in Mexico and as a 1 yr old was brought into the US and lived in Long Beach, California until I was 15. Around this time, I found out that a friend I had for 2 yrs turned out to be my cousin when his mom was taking us to school. After a series of 3 questions, she connected some dots, slammed on the brakes, and turned her body around to tell us that we were cousins! It turned out that my dad’s grandma was my friend’s (now cousin) dad’s sister. I always wanted to meet and get to know my dad and thought about reaching out, that was an interesting call. Long story short, I ended up moving to Oroville, WA. to spend time with my dad. This was a life changing experience at a young age, I finished high school there and got into sports because there was nothing else to do. I lettered in soccer, football, wrestling, and track my first year and graduated with high grades (dating the principals daughter helped me stay out of trouble haha). While living with my dad I finally became a permanent resident and was able to go to college, a dream of mine since I was a kid.  

I graduated from EWU with my engineering degree and around the same time got engaged and became a citizen! Right before graduating I had my naturalization ceremony to become a citizen, that’s when I met Ruben Mayes, a running back for the Saints and the Seahawks back in the 80s and 90s. We sat next to each other and had a long conversation before and after the ceremony. A little later I graduated and the following month my girlfriend at the time got us a little vacation to Maui and we invited about 9 friends to go with us. This was a special trip because my plan was to propose at the top of Mt. Haleakala during sunrise, it was magical with a picture-perfect setting. Best vacation ever! 

In my previous life I was a Project Engineer for a prototyping company where I learned lots about different manufacturing processes including subtractive and additive manufacturing and molds. I loved working on 3D printing projects. I decided to search for a new challenge after I felt that I had reached my growth cap. I took a job as an Application Engineer in the Corrugated Industry where I worked on customer plant layouts, design, and quoted machines to meet customer needs and applications. I enjoyed working and visiting with customers and traveling was also fun. I traveled lots around the US and Latin America. Because I liked the relationships I was developing with the customer, I thought it would be great to accept an opportunity that came knocking at my door. I took a Sales job selling Conveyor and Automation in the same industry. This meant that I would have to travel a lot more and my wife was not happy. Around this time, we finally got pregnant, and I decided that this was not the right career path if I wanted to be #1 Dad.  

I was once again in Maui when another life changing event happened, my wife and I experienced our first tsunami and I got hired at Pearson. On the second day of our trip, I set up an interview meeting with Pearson and that’s when I met Kevin and AZ. A few years back I learned about Pearson after reading a few articles about the company. I knew this was a great place to work because of the awesome applications Pearson has been doing with robotics and automation. I couldn’t wait, I was a bit nervous, but most of all I was so excited for this interview. I felt very proud when receiving my offer letter and signed it right away! So far, my time here has been amazing, it’s been challenging and rewarding at the same time, thank you Pearson family.  

All that said, I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for the support of my loving wife, Paige. She is a smart, strong, and a beautiful woman, nurse, and now mother. Our first kid was born last month, and life hasn’t been the same since. I do miss the hobbies I had before our baby, but I wouldn’t change a thing! I enjoy giving back to the community. I volunteer as an instructor for Powderhounds where, I teach special needs kids how to snowboard. I love working with my hands, woodworking, remodeling/fixing old homes, working on motorcycles, learning new tech applications like programing and g-code for CNC, being outdoors mushroom hunting, and bike rides. I’m mostly excited to do new things with my boy as he grows up. 

Thank you for sharing, Jaime!

Summer Safety Tips

Summer is almost here, and here are some safety tips to keep you happy and healthy.

Learn CPR: With 88% of cardiac arrests happening at home, it’s wise to be trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to help loved ones immediately.
Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries: When was the last time you changed your smoke alarm batteries? Make it a priority for your summer to-do list. Don’t forget to set a calendar alert for checking your smoke alarms monthly, too.
Remember Your Mask: Some establishments may still require you to wear a mask even if you’re fully vaccinated.
Swim Smart: Whether enjoying the pool, beach, lake, or river, any body of water can be dangerous if the appropriate precautions aren’t taken. Don’t overestimate your swimming abilities and avoid swimming alone. Designating an undistracted “water watcher” to keep an eye on your group can be helpful in detecting a swimmer in trouble.
Wear Daily Sunscreen: The sun is the most damaging between 10am and 4pm daily. Reduce your skin cancer risk, and the early onset of wrinkles, by wearing sunscreen daily. People with sensitive skin are most likely to burn easily in the sun. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and wearing sunglasses, a hat, and an UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rated long-sleeved clothing when outdoors for long periods of time.
Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated is always important for optimal body functioning, but especially during the hot and humid months, when your body fluids are lost due to sweating. Keep water with you and drink it often. Also eating melons, lettuce, cucumbers and foods with high water content, can also help you stay hydrated to avoid heat illness.
Prepare an Emergency Weather Kit: Heavy area storms can easily knock out power and scatter debris, making it difficult to travel outside the home for necessities. Ensure you have a full emergency kit ready to go with non-perishable food, flashlights and extra batteries, water, a first aid kit, extra medications, etc., to see you through an emergency situation.
Be A Defensive Driver: Every summer, more drivers hit the road for vacations. With people still hesitant to hop aboard aircrafts, the roads are bound to be more crowded. Put your cell phone away; pull over for a quick nap if you’re tired; and above all, never drive under the influence of alcohol, wait until you are sober to get behind the wheel.
Use Insect Repellent: Protect yourself from diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks like dengue fever, malaria, West Nile Virus, and Lyme disease by wearing bug repellent.
Boat Safety: A few precautions to take when boating include: ensuring enough life vests are onboard; watching the weather before and during your time on the water; skipping alcoholic beverages when driving the boat; and drink water to stay hydrated.
Don’t Ignore Thunder: Have you heard the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors?” While the odds of being struck by lightning are one in a million annually, it’s still not a good idea to hang outdoors during a thunderstorm. Remember the 30-30 rule. Once you see lightning, count to 30. If a thunder clap happens before you hit 30, go inside.
Move It: Physical activity is a must to stay healthy. Maybe plan an active vacation like kayaking, swimming, paddleboarding, whitewater rafting, hiking or any other great outdoor activity so as to hit your necessary 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise each week.
Eat Healthy Food: Summer is bountiful in its harvest of fruits and veggies. Pick up fresh, seasonal produce like watermelons, blackberries, zucchini, and okra when their nutrient counts are the highest. Plus, eating water-rich foods can keep you hydrated which will reduce headaches, overeating, and feeling faint on hot summer days.
Exercise With Caution Outdoors: Staying hydrated is the number one key to safe outdoor exercise, along with enjoying exercise in shaded area.
Cook Food the Same Day: Planning a picnic? Make sure you cook your food the same day to limit the amount of time bacteria has to grow in it. Viruses and bacteria are the most common culprits of food poisoning. To prevent illness, practice the four food safety steps: Clean, separate, cook and chill.
Practice Fireworks Safety: When using fireworks, keep a safe distance once lit and don’t point fireworks toward the face or body. Keep water nearby to extinguish fireworks is always a good idea.
Drink right: Drink plenty of water is the key here. But if you don’t like plain water, consider infusing it with fruit. Or, switch it up and add coconut water for an electrolyte boost and refreshingly delicious drink that is better for you than other sweet beverages.
Keep Good Sleep Practices: Do your best to wake and fall asleep at the same time each day to keep your sleep patterns regular.
Watch For Power lines: If one of your gadgets, like a kite or a drone, gets stuck on a power line, forego getting it yourself. Instead notify your local power company and report it. Also, after heavy storms, be sure to watch out on the roadway for downed power lines, too. Stay a minimum of 25-feet away from downed lines.
Keep Sanitizer on Hand: It is always wise to practice good hygiene. Whether you’re at a picnic, coming out of the grocery store, or holding a stair handrail, use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, any time you’re unable to get to a bathroom to wash your hands properly.
Watch Your Grill: Only grill outdoors, keep kids and pets away, and keep the grill cleaned of grease and fat. Above all, never leave the grill unattended.
Practice Smart Home Safety: Going on vacation? Consider setting up light timers at your home to deter would-be criminals from breaking-and-entering. Also motion lights and nighttime landscape lighting can deter criminals as well.
Connect With Others: Social interaction is an important part of social health. Keep your mental health in check by spending time with loved ones. Doing so can elevate your mood and keep you from isolating, which can lead to depression and other mental health concerns.
Protect Your Hearing: If you are planning on attending an activity such as a sporting event, shooting range, concert, etc., you might want to consider investing in a good set of ear plugs, because loud noises above 120 decibels can cause damage to your hearing immediately.
Do What You Love: Finding joy in life and its activities is one of the best ways to keep yourself mentally and physically young. Whether that’s going out golfing with friends, playing with your grandkids, visiting a local winery, painting, wakeboarding, etc., it’s important to make time to rest and relax too.
Give Wildlife Space: Wildlife is just that – wild. They can be unpredictable and bite out of fear or defense. Be sure to give all wildlife that you encounter plenty of space. That goes for snakes, bears, bees, alligators, birds, deer and other roaming critters.
Remember Bikes Are Vehicles: When riding a bike, always ensure that you know the rules of the road before heading out for a ride. Additionally, wearing a helmet and other safety gear, like reflective clothing, can help you stand out to other motorists on the road.
Have a First Aid Kit Together: Be prepared for scrapes, scratches, bites and more by having a first aid kit on hand. You’ll want to keep it stocked and ensure the ointments aren’t expired. Keep one at home and one in your car for unexpected mini medical issues, with items like gauze pads, medical tape, bandages, eye protection, alcohol wipes and band-aids.
Prevent Fires: The number one cause of residential fires are cooking fires. Make sure to keep any fire activities a minimum of 10 feet away from your house. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and a hose nearby to put out any unexpected fires.
Watch Your Step: When you spend time outdoors, don’t forget to always have shoes on and watch where you step. Make it a point to look before you step, especially if you’re exploring your favorite local park during the summer months.
Check Your Car: It’s easy to get distracted. Be sure to check your car before you lock up for any pets or children who may be left behind. Even a cool 78 degree outdoors means the interior of the car can quickly reach upward of 120 degrees within minutes.
Mow With Caution: Yard upkeep may be a great workout, but it isn’t without its hazards. When mowing the yard, make sure you wear a long sleeve shirt and long pants, along with safety goggles and close-toed shoes.
Know How to Handle Heat Stress: Heat stress can come on quickly and is dangerous if you’re not sure what to look for. If you or someone you’re with outdoors starts profusely sweating, feels faint or dizzy, or has a weak pulse, get into a cool area quickly. Stop all activity to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and get into the AC or a cooler place, like under a shade tree to recoup energy.
Watch for Recreational Water Illnesses: When the pools reopen and summer beckons swimmers, it’s important to remember that public swimming areas can carry a variety of bacteria and viruses, even if it isn’t COVID. Be mindful of swimming only in clean public pools. The most common health concern is swallowing pool water that’s been contaminated by human feces. Bacteria can live in improperly-balanced pools for days.
Pay Attention to Poisonous Plants: Poison ivy, poison sumac or poison oak, causes issues for about 85% of the population. Of those, up to 15% are extremely allergic. When out working in the yard or spending time in nature, be aware of the plants you’re exposing yourself to, especially if you’re not wearing long sleeves and pants. The plants are found everywhere except Alaska and Hawaii, so be on the lookout for the vine.

By: Ashley Brooker

Stay Safe and Have Fun this Summer!

Where in the World is Pearson?

lakeshore

Midway, KY.

Most of Pearson's customers are in Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods Industry. However, we do get orders from customers in other industries, including an order from Lakeshore Learning Materials. Lakeshore is a company in which makes supplies for teachers and learning tools for younger kids. This company is new to automation, and we are excited that they chose to partner with Pearson. Pearson recently has a project with them for 4 CE25-T case erectors which are expected to ship next month.

Remote Access: Two Ways to Establish a Secure Remote Connection

What happens when Pearson techs are unable to troubleshoot a machine issue using the video you supply? Often, our support team can identify errors remotely by reviewing your machine’s PLC, which provides critical information like failure codes, frequency of faults, time stamps, and more, that can help us determine what is occurring. In many instances, we can even make updates to the PLC code to correct errors. This short video explores the two ways we’re able to remotely access your machine’s PLC: using a router, or using a desktop connection. Both ways are safe, relying on an encrypted VPN connection that customers have full control over.

Birthdays

2nd - Griffin Walker
3rd - Greg Lesher
4th - Burt Gasaway
6th - Sam Culbertson and Reid Kincaid
8th - Steve Lowe
9th - Kris Romo
13th - Chris Johanessen
15th - Veth Mam, Jason McCall and Wayne Yocom
16th - Eric Nix
17th - Brett Komisarek
18th - Nick Lee and Phil Spice
21st - Brian Patrick
22nd - Ryan Gunion
23rd - Jessie Wickre
26th - Jared O'Hara
30th - Yasir Hameed

Anniversaries

1 Year: Rachel Graham, Ryan Gunion, Joshua Shinskie, Igor Shirobokov, Travis Viehouser and Doug Wear
2 Years: Christine Harlander and Jason Peterson
3 Years: Tony Freeman and Shawn Smith
5 Years: Chris Evanson, Shiva Hissong Salehkia and Michael Williams
6 Years: Ken Jenkins
9 Years: Ken Lauritzen
16 Years: Richard Chaffee

New Employee

Desiree Randolph - Senior Accountant

New Babies

Vincent Bruce Santana was born on April 15th to Jaime Santana and his wife Paige, and their dog Brian, who thinks the baby is his to take care of. How sweet!

Ayanna La'Nae Taylor was born on May 17th to Chris Taylor and his wife Maria. So precious!

Graduates

Thomas Halish's (VP of Robotic Integration) son Sam, has graduated from Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA., with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree with Honors (Cum Laude) and a minor in Ecological Cities. He is a member of the Sigma Lambda Alpha Honors Society. He was a finalist for ASLA Excellence in design award and Stanley Abbott Competition for 5^th Year Project. This July he will be starting as a Landscape Designer 1 at Timmons Group, Inc.

Bloomsday 2022

On Sunday, May 1st, 2022, Isaac Lamb, Kurt Alsperger, Ron Cummings, Michael Jaynes and Sam Culbertson, also known as the Pearson Packers, competed in the Bloomsday Run/Walk. People come from all over for the competition like Canada, Europe, Africa, etc. The guys ran/walked 12 kilometers (7.46 miles). The team arrived at different times, so they started in different positions. But eventually Sam caught up with Michael at some point, which motivated each other to the finish line. Great job Pearson Packers! Congratulations guys for completing the run!

Brain Game

The first five people to solve this riddle will receive a $5.00 Starbucks gift card! Email your response to: zhutson@pearsonpkg.com

Take me out and scratch my head. I am now black, but once was red. What am I?

May Blog Brain Game Answer: A sundial has the fewest moving parts of any timepiece. Which has the most? An hourglass - it has thousands of grains of sand

Winners: Spencer Croom, Jesse Deaton, Jared O'Hara, Brendon Olson and Kellee Prchal

Did You Know?

The 1939, 50,000 word novel, Gadsby, by Ernest Vincent Wright, does not contain any words that contain the letter "E". (Except for the introduction and a note at the end).

Quote Of The Month

"Look up, get up, and don't ever give up."

― Michael Irvin

Learn A New Word

Imprimatur - A person's acceptance or guarantee that something is of a good standard.

Recipe

Keto Ranch Cheddar Crisps

5 minutes prep time

10 minutes cook time

Serves 8

Ingredients

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 TBSP Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning

Steps

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place a silicone mat or parchment paper onto each of two baking sheets.

In a bowl, mix the cheese with the seasoning mix.

Drop the cheese into small flattened piles (about 20 total) on each baking sheet, leaving enough room so that they don’t touch as they spread slightly.

Bake for about 6-8 minutes, until crisp. Let stand for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy! If you decide to make this delicious snack, make sure to snap a photo and email it to zhutson@pearsonpkg.com to be featured in next month's blog.