Last month, our employees gathered at the Monona Terrace for our annual meeting & dinner. This event allows team members to hear from company leaders about the past year’s performance and the vision for the year ahead. It’s also a time to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of not just us as a company, but the individuals who make it such a special place to work.
As part of a long-standing tradition, ten team members were recognized with Employee of the Year Awards for their outstanding contributions over the past year:
- Safety Champion of the Year: Ben Slaby & Brian Munch
- Mission Statement Champion of the Year: Jason Addy
- Preconstruction Champion of the Year: Adam Mastalir
- Process Improvement Champion of the Year: Adam Rath & Josh Schraufnagel
- Support Champion of the Year: Alexandra Herrmann
- Whale Hunter of the Year: Sam Potts
- Strategic Champion of the Year: Jeff Spiegelhoff
- Operations Champion of the Year: Brandon Hill
This year’s meeting kicked off with an interactive live survey where attendees shared how long they have been with the company. The responses appeared on a giant screen in real time, ranging from just a few days to several decades, showcasing a remarkable blend of experience and fresh perspectives. Over 100 employees have been with the company for more than 10 years, including 24 who have been here for 25+ years. Just as exciting, 92 employees have joined within the last two years. As you can imagine, there were many new faces in the room that evening. We asked a few of these new team members to share what it was like attending their very first Annual Meeting.
First Impressions
Something that immediately jumped out at me was the warm welcoming feel that everyone brought. As someone who has just started their career, it really meant a lot to be included in conversations, recognized and introduced to leadership, and asked about how my first few days have been with the company. There was a real sense of community during the evening, something I’ve quickly realized is a defining part of JP Cullen’s culture. – Ryan Becker
Being in a room full of hundreds of new people can be intimidating, so I appreciated the chance to connect more personally with the individuals I was seated with during the dinner portion. During our conversations, I learned that one of my tablemates has been with the company for 28 years—primarily at Camp Randall. I can only imagine how proud he must be to be a part of such an impactful project. Another tablemate was not only the lead singer in a band but also the president of Young Leaders. I was truly impressed by the unique talents and skill sets of everyone I met. – Ella Miller
Exactly Where We’re Meant to Grow
Hearing our leadership speak passionately about our company’s growth and goals made me feel proud to be a part of something bigger, and made me feel confident that I have joined an organization with a clear, forward-thinking direction. – Ryan Becker
One key takeaway from George and Jeannie’s talk was the importance of “staying sharp.” No matter how long you’ve been in your role, even if you’re at the top of your game, you have to stay focused and continually refine your skills. That mindset is no doubt a big part of why JP Cullen is best in class. – Ella Miller
Where Hard Work is Recognized
We took time to recognize team members who went above and beyond this past year during our award ceremony. From outstanding teamwork to innovative problem solvers. The award ceremony was a great reminder that JP Cullen recognizes and celebrates its employees’ devotion and hard work. – Ryan Becker
Seeing how well we are performing as a company was encouraging, and learning about the individuals who are excelling in their roles was truly inspiring. It’s exciting to think a few years from now, that could be me! – Ella Miller
What We Took with Us
Leaving the dinner, I was excited and energized. Not because of the amazing venue, food, and prizes, but because I now felt a part of a family. A family that is not only achieving great things, but uplifting each other on its way there. – Ryan Becker
I learned the hard way that you can’t win the big prize when you’ve only been on the job for a week—I definitely caught some heat for my Yeti cooler winnings! Overall, it was an incredibly valuable experience, and I feel fortunate to have had this introduction to the company within my first few weeks. – Ella Miller
This year was filled with energy, inspiration, and genuine connection. Seeing our team come together truly reinforced our mission: to identify, hire, train, and retain the best people to serve our customers. There’s a lot to look forward to, and we are excited to see what the year ahead holds for us! If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, be challenged, and feel part of something bigger, we’d love to have you on our team.
At JP Cullen, we’ve built a culture of trust and personal responsibility—one that empowers our people to do their best work and supports them every step of the way. Explore our open positions and start building your future with us. JP Cullen | Careers
