Mike Smith
Wiscraft is proud to announce Mike Smith as our 2009 Employee of the Year. Mike joined the Machine Shop in 1998 and has since become an expert on many of the specialized machines in his department. His supervisor states, “Mike is eager to learn the ins-and-outs of every machine and project.” Not only is he a quick learner, he also cares about his co-workers and Wiscraft. Mike proclaims, “When I started here it was just a job. Now I care about Wiscraft, its people and their future.”
Mike loves music of all types, was once a talented bicycle rider and mechanic, and is a great cook. He’s also a 2nd degree Black Belt—his ‘chops’ (food & karate) are expert in many ways. Mike even taught martial arts classes. His advice is:
“When you are given an opportunity to do better, no matter what it is, take it—plain and simple—take it. Wiscraft does offer that and I’m glad I’m here.”
Mike Smith
As Wiscraft’s Employee of the Year, Mike was also nominated for the National Industries for the Blind Peter J Salmon Employee of the Year award. It’s given to one of the employees of the year from over 50 other agencies like Wiscraft. As Wiscraft’s nominee, Mike and his guest got an all-expense-paid trip to attend the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) Annual Conference in Kansas City on October 20-23.
To get there, Mike took the first plane ride of his life. Unlike many of us, he neither felt the fear, nor the sickness, of his first flight. At the conference, Mike and the other nominees were given a guided tour of Alphapointe; a large non-profit that also employs individuals who are blind. “Alphapointe was huge, beautifully kept and well ran,” Mike explains.
Mike and NIB CEO Kevin Lynch
In addition to learning about Alphapointe, Mike and his guest got to experience the size of the industry, called AbilityOne (www.abilityone.com), which Wiscraft is a part of. We’d be amiss if we failed to mention NIB takes care of everyone’s bar tabs, so Mike got to experience how ‘lively’ the crowd can get. He also attended a photo session with NIB’s president and CEO, Kevin Lynch.
Looking sharp Mike! From all of us here at Wiscraft, congratulations; you are well deserving of the award.