SleepEx LabRetriever takes time during each holiday season to give pause for reflection. We think about the year that has passed, our accomplishments with customers and vendors, and consider how we will approach the new year.
Part of this process includes remembering our co-founder by choosing what other companies would call “Employee of the Year”. All SleepEx LabRetriever employees cast their vote for one person who represents what Wally Carruthers set out to accomplish with our company. He was the Co-founder and Chairman of SleepEx, well known and respected in the Sleep Industry, a devoted family man, beloved community leader and someone with a clear vision for his company.
In September of 2008, Wally passed away leaving the sleep industry and the company deeply saddened. Our team has since dedicated the development of our software, level of customer service, and commitment to one another to exemplify his vision:
“We will build great products, provide excellent customer support and make SleepEx a good and fun place to work, and then we will be successful.”
Please join us in congratulating Tech Support Analyst, Kareem Kharboutly for winning the 2013 Wally Award!! Kareem has been employed with us since February 2011 and has proven to be a key player in what is one of the most important functions in the development of a great product, QA. Cheryl Harner, COO had this to say to Kareem when she presented the award to him during the company holiday party:
“When we think about making a great product…How you criticize the product and find the bugs. People admire that about you. You find bugs and you break software. It’s a gift! …And when you are passionate; and even when you argue, you are saying very loudly, ‘I just think that’s what the customer wants!’ ”
Kareem took time after accepting the award to talk about how he’s grown over the years due to the support of his co-workers. Each person has played an integral part in improving his technical skills, as well as, his ability to work with customers to solve their issues. We love having Kareem as part of our family and are proud of his success, but I think Chairman, Roy Hathcock said it best during the presentation:
“Well, here’s the bottom line to me, if I may say. It really doesn’t matter what these people up here think about you; the customers love you…and that’s what you bring to the table, young man. And I thank you for that.”
Previous recipients: Amy Anuszewski, Neal Blumberg and Wendy Chenworth