Champion Prepares for Extensive Growth

After sixteen and half years of continuous growth and success, Champion is taking the next step to advance as one of the top system integrators in the industry. Over the years, Champion made several investments for continued growth: we added a Vice President of Operations to bring offices together with standard practices and procedures, we added Business Development personnel, implemented estimation teams in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, and we brought on Technical Writers.

On Friday, March 10, 2017, Champion announced that Gary Hamer will become CEO of Champion Technology Services, Inc. and that Mehrdad Ghorashi will become the President of Automation. In this announcement, Gary and Mehrdad discussed key strategies that continues Champion’s evolution as a company. As part of this transition, the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Beaumont automation offices will merge to form one unit, the “Central Gulf Coast.”

Based on this union, the leadership team worked to update the management structure that currently exists in the region and company. This new structure allows Champion to develop a more cohesive company that can share resources amongst all office locations while positioning the company for growth and allowing us to focus our efforts on Automation, Telecommunications, and new technology ventures.

Transition Details
The leadership transition structure is expected to occur over a period of nine months, which encourages a smooth execution and allows time to work out any issues that may arise. Some changes will occur immediately, but others will occur over the course of three months and then over the course of nine months.

The following changes are effective immediately:

  • Gary Hamer is CEO
  • Mehrdad Ghorashi is President of Automation
  • Brad Jordan is Regional Manager of the Central Gulf Coast
  • John Hargroder is Regional Manager of the Rockies
  • Ryan LeMaire is the new Operations Manager for the Central Gulf Coast
  • Business Managers’ titles change to Automation Manager or Telecom Manager
    o Rama Sinha is Automation Manager
    o Ben LeBlanc is Automation Manager
    o Les Coker is Telecom Manager
  • Leadership structure changes for Telecom and Automation
  • Central Gulf Coast Business Development Specialists report to Brad

During the first three months, the following changes will occur in the Central Gulf Coast Region:

  • Scott Thompson becomes Automation Manager for Lake Charles and Beaumont
  • Asa Ange becomes Engineering Supervisor for Lake Charles and Beaumont
  • Nitin Gupta becomes Engineering Manager for Baton Rouge
  • Lindsey Pecot becomes Engineering Supervisor for Lafayette
  • Reporting structure for all Automation Engineers will be established

How this Affects Champion Overall
In his new role, Gary is responsible for leading new investments and investigating other technology ventures. He will continue to be responsible for finance, contracts, and risk management.

In his role as President of Automation, Mehrdad is a representative for external commercial activities and will lead growth strategies for Automation. While he will remain acting manager in Baton Rouge for the time being, Brad will assume his responsibilities over the next nine months.

How this Affects the Central Gulf Coast Region
Brad’s new role as Regional Manager of the Central Gulf Coast includes oversight and management of the Beaumont, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans offices.

As Operations Manager, Ryan LeMaire will directly oversee Office Administrators, Estimators, and Technical Writers for the Central Gulf Coast. His goal will be to establish cohesive processes and procedures for all offices in this region.

How this Affects Houston Automation
Rama’s title will be Automation Manager, but his current duties will not change. The automation office will stay the same since it is an individual office and does not have multiple offices across a region.

How this Affects Houston Telecom
Les’s title will be Telecom Manager, but his current duties will not change. Telecom will benefit even though Mehrdad will not have direct management/leadership over that organization, because selling at the corporate level gives opportunity for both automation and telecom.

How this Affects the Rockies
John’s title will be Rockies Regional Manager but his current duties will not change. The Rockies’ structure will remain the same.

How this Affects New Orleans – International and OEM
Ben’s title will be Automation Manager but his current duties will not change. International and OEM will stay the same and continue to grow business across multiple offices and areas.

Benefits
Champion’s continued evolution as a company aligns with our “Smart, Sustainable Growth” strategy by allowing more room to focus on commercial efforts. Additionally, it allows Champion to honor its “Employee Development” commitment, ensuring that employees have the opportunity to grow their positions and technical offerings in the company. Most importantly, however, it allows us to create a more cohesive structure among regional offices in regards to how they operate, how they are administered, how projects are executed, and how we grow and develop new business. Ultimately, this means that everyone will receive more opportunities as we grow and as we increase our focus on our current lines of business and near markets.

What does that mean for you?
Right now, tomorrow will not be different. Depending on your role, however, you may take on more responsibility or you may begin working with people with whom you have not previously worked. The key is that your core responsibilities or work will not change.

We encourage everyone to continue to do the same great work that has allowed us to grow into the company we are today. It is the efforts of our employees that propelled us to become one of the top system integrators in the country. Champion can succeed only with your knowledge, experience, high-quality work, and willingness to grow, to improve, and to fulfill our mission “to improve the overall safety, well-being, and prosperity of our employees, our company, our customers, and our communities through the intelligent and efficient application of the resources and technologies currently available.”

Thank you all for your dedication to Champion.

Service Awards – Employee Spotlights (Mar 2017)

 

KEN HACKLER

Q: Describe a memory from your first years at Champion?

A: Gary singing to me :). You would have had to been there to understand. If not that, then my first visit to all the Champion locations and seeing how different each location operated, versus how much more similarly they do today.

Q: How are the dynamics at Champion different than when you first started? How are they the same?

A: A culture of caring and helping each other has not changed. Processes and methodologies now help drive the execution and management of our projects and we don’t have as many last-minute project completions before the FAT or SAT.

Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?

A: Great people coming closer together and helping each other across offices, not just in their own location.

Q: What would like to be working on here at Champion in the future?

A: I enjoy what my role is and am looking forward to seeing the company evolve and grow in the future.

Q: When were you proudest to be a part of the Champion team?

A: Every time I am at a conference, when other system integrators, manufacturers, and distributors tell me how great of a team we have and how our customers speak highly of us.

Q: What company / office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?

A: All of the Christmas parties. Each have been unique in their own way, and I like seeing everyone dressed up!

Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?

A: The 2013 Friday night new hire party in New Orleans a few years back. It was amazing to see the growth that year.

Q: What is something that you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?

A: Top 5 largest Automation Provider in the country.

Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?

A: Some type of salad with chicken or beef and some fruit.

DUSTIN TRAPIER

Q: Describe a memory from your first years at Champion.

A: Designing a solar skid to support multiple wells for a customer in Wyoming. It allowed me to do some mechanical design and with input from the panel shop come up with ways that made it easy to fabricate, easy to break down for shipping, and also easy for the customer to set up in the field. The final product was a group effort.

Q: How are the dynamics at Champion different than when you first started? How are they the same?

A: Our teams are constantly changing, everyone is willing to accept and help out the new team members and do what is needed to succeed as a group.

 

De-Watering Power Skid

Q: What projects were particularly interesting, exciting, or challenging that you would like to reflect on?

A: Working on de-watering pump skids that went into tunnels below the floor of the Rio Tinto copper mine west of SLC. Ground water drains through the mountain and enters the tunnels through the ceiling and walls making the environment a constant heavy rain. We built panels for several skids that would pump the water in stages from one skid to another and out of the tunnels, keeping the mine floor from filling up with water.

Q: Who has been your favorite customer (company / individual) and why?

Power Skid and Tank ready for delivery.

A: Conoco Phillips – The customer is easy to work with, knows what he wants but is open to suggestions and new ideas.

Q: When were you proudest to be a part of the Champion team?

A: After an FAT the customer stated that they were happy with the way things went and wanted to use us for future work. They asked if we would we be willing to store some of their test equipment for future projects.

Q: What company / office sponsored event did you enjoy most and why?

Solar Skid

A: Family day activity with the SLC office – It’s nice to meet the extended family members of those you work with.

Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?

A: Spending time at customer sites learning how they do things and looking at what I can learn and bring back to help Champion become a better service provider.

Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?

A: When my wife and/or kids drop by the office for lunch. Lunch with the grandkids is a plus.

Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?

A: Our tools for estimating have come a long way in helping us to be more successful with projects.

Q: What is something that you’d like to see Champion do in the next 15 years?

A: Continuing to diversify and expand into new market types.

Q: What would you like to be working on here at Champion in the future?

A: Anything that challenges my skills and gives me opportunities for gaining additional knowledge in fabrication and design.

MARY MILTON

Q: What is your favorite Champion work-related memory?

A: Wow that’s a tough one. I have so many fond memories and it has been such a pleasure working with the entire Champion team over the past (almost) five years with a variety of tasks. One of the many highlights of my career was collaborating with Gary and other team members in re-branding of the company for consistency, be it in print, events, and online. And of course, being able to plan all of the Christmas Party activities as well.

Q: What is your favorite lunch routine?

A: Every day I actually get to go home for my lunch. It has been awesome to be able to work so closely to my home which allows me to relax and check on my kitty fur babies – which are 18 and 17 respectively.

Q: In your opinion, what is the #1 improvement you’ve seen take place since you’ve started?

A: I think both the on-boarding New Hires and communications processes have improved greatly.

Q: What would like to be working on here at Champion in the future?

A: Actually my last day with Champion will be March 15th, enjoying time with my family. It has been such an amazing experience and I want thank each one of you for all your support, guidance and assistance. The friendships and associations I made here will remain forever, as it has been an immense pleasure to work with such an amazing team of “CHAMPIONS” for the past (almost) five years.

Wishing each of you all the best and the entire Champion family a bright future, as Champion is poised for continued growth and success with all the upcoming opportunities.

CURRENT EVENTS (Mar 2017)

Apr 21

2017 ISA SOUTHEAST TEXAS SECTION SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
9:00am shot gun start – event will be held at the Brentwood Country Club, Beaumont, TX. The Houston Office will be an exhibitor during this event.

Apr 25

ENTELEC 89th Annual 2017 SPRING CONFERENCE & EXPO
April 25th – 27th – The World’s Leading Conference Specifically for Communications and Control Technologies in the Energy Industries. Champion Telecom Office will be an exhibitor during this three day event.  For more information, click here.

Apr 26

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS’ DAY
Recognizes and acknowledges the important role of administrative professionals in all sectors of the modern economy worldwide. It’s on the Wednesday of Administrative Professionals Week®, which is on the last full week of April.

May 14

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY
Happy Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate our mothers and how important they are in our lives. This Mother’s Day, treat her to a celebration, without breaking the bank. For fantastic ideas to celebrate Mother’s Day, click here.

May 29

CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY
It is celebrated to remember military service members who have died in the line of duty. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, as the holiday was centered on decorating the graves of those who had fallen in the Civil War.

Jun 18

CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY
Happy Father’s Day. Father’s Day started in the early 20th century in the United States to celebrate fatherhood and to complement Mother’s Day. Creative ways to express love and appreciation to the special dads in your life, click here.

 

Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed French Bread Recipe

Mega flavorful Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed French Bread is your favorite cheesy dip baked right into the loaf! Crazy delicious side or EASY crowd pleasing appetizer! Everyone will be begging you to bring this!

Makes 16 servings.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 large loaf French bread or 2 smaller loafs
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup Frank’s Original Hot Sauce – (1/2 for quite spicy)
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
  • 1/2 tsp EACH chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup Blue cheese crumbles – up to 1/2 cup if you LOVE blue cheese
  • 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 3 cups packed shredded chicken – (about 1-1/2 pounds)*

PREPARATION:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Slice about 2 inches deep through the top of the bread, and continue to cut a large rectangle, being careful not to cut through the bottom of the bread. Remove top of bread and hollow out middle to create a rectangular bread bowl. Set aside.
  3. Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and hot sauce and all spices/seasonings until well combined.
  4. Stir in blue cheese, 3/4 cup cheddar and 3/4 cup mozzarella followed by chicken.
  5. Spoon Buffalo Chicken Dip into prepared French bread and top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Bake on a baking tray at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  6. Let bread sit approximately 10 minutes to set and slightly cool then slice. Best served warm.

TIPS & NOTES:

  1. *TO EASILY COOK AND SHRED CHICKEN: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and rippling. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Flip the chicken over, then add 1-1/2 cups chicken broth or water to the skillet. Cover and reduce heat to medium and simmer 15-20 minutes or until chicken is cooked though and tender enough to shred, adding additional chicken broth/water if the liquid evaporates too quickly. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest 5 minutes before shredding.
  2. MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare Buffalo Chicken Dip in advance and store in the refrigerator separate from bread. When ready to bake, heat dip in microwave until warm then spoon into French bread and bake as direct.
  3. Garnish Tip (optional): 6-8 pieces Cooked and crumbled bacon and Blue Cheese – (only if you love it because its strong)