Living Our Values

The culture corps

The Crest Industries Culture Corps is a group of team members nominated and recognized by their peers as examples of our Values in action. Each month, one member of the Culture Corps is recognized as a Culture Champion for their outstanding efforts of living our Values and helping our teams, customers and communities grow beyond what we believe is possible. These Culture Champions receive the “Walkie-Talkie Award” for their commitment to walking the talk and living our our Values every day.

Nominate a team member

our core values

we own doing the right thing

We extend trust, build confidence, and hold each other accountable.

we win together

We win when we all win together. We create mutual success and build trusting, lasting relationships.

we question the status quo

We are never content with "that's how it's always been done." We question to understand, learn, continuously improve, and innovate.

we rise to the challenge

We ambitiously turn challenges into successes through perseverance, resilience, and a will to win.

Nominate a team member

Robert Keady

GIS Manager

December 28, 2023

Rob has been with our teams for more than fifteen years, and he is an excellent example of our values in action. He is constantly looking for ways to improve and think outside of the box to create solutions that benefit his team and Crest as a whole. Rob’s nominator said that his dedication to CNR and Crest is “truly impressive” as he values collaboration, is willing to engage in healthy conflict, and holds himself and others accountable to deadlines and commitments. Rob’s approach to challenges, dedication to learning new skills and stretching his technical knowledge are perfect examples of rising to the challenge and questioning the status quo.

Robert Keady

Crest Natural Resources

Crystal Guidrey

Shipping Coordinator

December 25, 2023

Crystal was nominated by her coworker, Diana St. Romain, who said, “I couldn't think of a better person to recognize for her eleven-year commitment to the company and constant dedication to making sure customers and freight companies are satisfied.” We are excited to recognize the hard work you do, the positive attitude you keep, and your willingness to go out of the way to help others in need.

Crystal Guidrey

DIS-TRAN Steel

Calvin George

Quality Control Manager

December 25, 2023

Calvin was nominated by Donald Lachney and Todd Jennings who said Calvin is a hard worker and adapts easily when challenges arise. With 32 years of welding experience and 6 years as a certified welding inspector, Calvin has been instrumental in making sure optimal meets their zero percent weld reject rate, zero percent re-work, and one-hundred percent leak free start-ups by using his leadership skills to coach and mentor other quality control and field personnel.

Calvin George

Optimal

Andrew Crawford

Project Manager

December 25, 2023

Andrew had multiple nominators who shared how he is a reliable team player, hardworking, and eager to help when challenges arise. Andrew is passionately helping to build the culture at packages, celebrating others for the work they do, and volunteering for events in the community. He embodies our values of winning together and rising to the challenge, and DIS-TRAN Packaged Substations values of be who you are and give.

Andrew Crawford

DIS-TRAN Packaged Substations

Robert Keady

Crest Natural Resources

Robert Keady

GIS Manager

Rob has been with our teams for more than fifteen years, and he is an excellent example of our values in action. He is constantly looking for ways to improve and think outside of the box to create solutions that benefit his team and Crest as a whole. Rob’s nominator said that his dedication to CNR and Crest is “truly impressive” as he values collaboration, is willing to engage in healthy conflict, and holds himself and others accountable to deadlines and commitments. Rob’s approach to challenges, dedication to learning new skills and stretching his technical knowledge are perfect examples of rising to the challenge and questioning the status quo.

Aaron Polk

Optimal

Aaron Polk

Shop Foreman

Aaron joined the team at Optimal in 2017, and his team shares that he is about as close to an ideal team member as you can get. Darnell Gremillion says that “Aaron is always making sure everyone has what [we] need to be successful.” Jacob Fontenot shares that Aaron “truly embraces the values of “we win together” and “we rise to the challenge.” He is always working diligently to be sure we’re ready for the next job."

Terry Gaspard

Terry Gaspard

PFB Team Lead

Terry joined the DTPS team at the central Louisiana port eight years ago, and he is an incredible example of our values in action – especially when it comes to rising to the challenge and the DTPS core values of “Say it, do it, own it” and “Give.” His nominator says one example of this was in 2022. "we had a bus pipe issue when a vendor was late shipping us a piece for a high-profile project. The customer was going to be at our facility in a few days to inspect their structure, so we were under a major time crunch. Terry helped us come up with a solution and then came in on a Saturday to make sure the job was done before our customer arrived. This affected 2 things: (ONE) Our customer arrived and the bus was up on the structure and they didn't know any different (and TWO) the structure was able to ship on the scheduled date and deliver on time - all thanks to Terry!"

Richard Emberly

Crest Operations

Richard Emberly

Senior Treasury Analyst

Richard has been on our team for 5 years, and more than 7 team members nominated him to the Culture Corps. "Richard has gone above and beyond in his support of our teams," says Gaylene Davis. "His work ethic is exemplary, and he takes on challenges with intense determination and without complaint. Although he has high demand on his time, he is always courteous, kind, and willing to help others. Richard is a good example to all of us. I appreciate and respect him more than he knows." "When I started at Crest as an intern, Richard helped me develop professionally by always taking the time to explain things to me," says Graham Pearson. "Through his selflessness and dedication to his work, Richard has inspired me and helped me grow beyond what I believed was possible. He truly embodies all of Crest Industries' core values."

Brian Farmer

Warehouse Lead

Brian has been with the MSS and Crest Family for years, and during his time with the company, he’s left an impact on our teams and our customers. His nominator, Trevor Hickman from MSS, says that since his first day with the team, no matter how many questions he asks, “Brian has always taken the time to explain or show me. He knows the warehouse top to bottom, front to back. It’s only been a short time I’ve worked with him, but I know for years to come I will be grateful to have him as my warehouse lead.” Brian, thank you for everything you do to support our teams and put our values in action!

Brian Farmer

Mid-State Supply Company

Stacey Hayes

Office Manager

Congratulations to Stacey Hayes, Office Manager at Beta Engineering. Stacey has been a part of the Beta Engineering team for more than 25 years, and she has become a key example of what it means to live our values. Stacey was nominated by her coworker, Kim Long, and Kim was passionate about celebrating how Stacey has empowered her and other team members to grow and be the best they can be. She never lets the stress of the job interfere with her heart for our teams and makes sure we all have all we need to succeed. Other team members share how she is a fantastic representative for the Culture Corps as she goes out of her way to welcome, support, and empower the teams at Beta and beyond.

Stacey Hayes

Beta

Jacob Steelman

February 2022 Culture Corps Inductee

Congratulations to Jacob Steelman, Substation Engineer at Beta Engineering. Jacob was nominated by his teammate, Kim Long, for always bringing an attitude of winning together to his team. He always goes above and beyond to ensure his teammates are taken care of and stay safe on the job and in the workplace. He passionately lives out both Beta and Crest’s purpose and values, and we’re so lucky to have him on our teams.

Jacob Steelman

Beta

Trent Meeker

February 2022 Culture Corps Inductee

Trent Meeker is a Senior Forest Technician from CNR. CNR President David Grassi nominated Trent because he is one of the most committed and hardworking employees he’s ever seen. He always takes pride in his work and pulls the team together to rise to any challenge. HR Manager, Ethan Brown also says "He truly deserves this recognition; I’ve only seen great work ethic from him since I've been on the team!" Congratulations Trent!

Trent Meeker

Crest Natural Resources

living our values