Archive for October, 2014

Happy Halloween! We go all out on everything we do here at BAT, including dressing up for Halloween.

We have everything from witches and wizards to former leaders to food represented in our office today.

Ian Goodrich as the Demon of Height won the costume contest. For second place, we had a three-way tie: Jon Ellsworth (Rufio), Steve Coenen (Sylvester) and Mike Wajda (Harry Potter).

Back (left to right): Eric Damon as Nixon, Jon Ellsworth as Rufio (from Hook), Mike Wajda as Harry Potter, Joe Kier as Guy who didn’t have time but wanted to still dress up, Steve Barnes as Julius Ceasar, Ian Goodrich as The Demon of Height, Anthony Harder (in front of the demon) as The Dark Prince, Ben Caldwell as a Pirate, Charlie Elmore and Katy Wilson as Twins
Front (left to right): Rebecca McLean as a 50’s Gal, Katie Forney as an M&M, Steve Coenen as Sylvester, Ashley Jankowski as Ursula the Sea Witch

We would like to wish the best of luck to all participants- especially our own Cindy Moreno- in Rockdale Baptist Church’s Flapjack 5K and Short Stack 1 Mile Fun Run tomorrow morning.

Cindy Moreno at the conclusion of a race she participated in earlier this year.

BAT Logistics is a Gold Sponsor of the Flapjack 5K and Short Stack 1 Mile Fun Run. The race will benefit the Family Ministries at Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers, Ga. Money raised will help fund its Children Camp and many other outreach programs that focus on children and families.

Those who wish to participate, but haven’t registered, may sign up to race Saturday morning, according to Rockdale Baptist Church’s Facebook page. T-shirts are not guaranteed for those who register on site.

When searching Boss’s Day, the first thing that comes up (besides today’s date) is an article about how to handle bad bosses. Then, another article questioning the day.

Bad bosses appear to be a trending thing. Fortunately, BAT’s bosses, Shawn Rorie and Jarrod Marinello, aren’t a part of that trend. Here’s what a few members of the BAT team had to say about Shawn and Jarrod:

Shawn Rorie

“I love working for BAT Logistics. Shawn has created a fun, enjoyable, but productive working environment. I truly believe he has all our best interests and success on his mind. I can’t thank Shawn and BAT Logistics enough for this opportunity!” – Ian Goodrich

“Shawn is such a down to earth guy and really great to work for. I have worked in a large corporate setting and often never saw the owner of the company. Shawn is the exact opposite and is involved and hands on when it comes to our day to day business. He has worked hard for all he has and wants all of his employees to be just as successful as he is. I am so lucky to work for such an innovative leader!” -Katy Wilson

Jarrod Marinello

“From my experience, this company is truly one of a kind. It’s not too often that you can work for a company and wake up in the morning ready to go to work, excited to be a part of! The encouragement and opportunities that are laid at our feet with the sky’s the limit and nothing holding you back  but yourself motto is second to none. I believe what these two dudes have started is more than amazing, and I am extremely grateful to be a BAT. Thank you Shawn and Jarrod!” -Charles Elmore

“I appreciate all the opportunities that Shawn and Jarrod have given our whole team at BAT Logistics.  The leadership and inspiration is different than any company I have worked for.  The food is tremendous along with the unlimited coffee and creamer is what keeps me coming back.  I wish them a happy bosses day and am excited to see what the future brings.” -Ralph Blank

“Thank you Shawn and Jarrod for giving me the freedoms to create my own destiny here at BAT!  I have never felt more appreciated or valued on a team like I do here.  Both of you have instilled trust and faith in me that have allowed me to do my job bigger and better and that is priceless.  Thank you for showing me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined!  Cheers to you guys!” -Krysten Parrish

“Thank you both for being the best bosses! Your determination, hard work, love and knowledge of this industry and your hearts for people have made BAT what it is today and has also created a fabulous work place!” -Cindy Moreno

Ian flips.

On Saturday, we held our Fall Family Outing at the Rorie Farm, BAT President/Owner Shawn Rorie’s property.

The day included lunch, games, horseback rides, jumping pillow and a hay ride.

“My family and I had a great time,” said Ian Goodrich. “My favorite part was probably my son riding a horse for the first time or me and Charles doing flips on the air bubble!”

He added that events like this shows that the company cares and enjoys its employees.

If you haven’t heard yet, The Big Bang Theory team of Steve Barnes, Ralph Blank, Charlie Elmore and Shawn Gach won the first ever BAT Games. The Games were a training and team building event through transportation trivia and physical challenges.

Charlie Elmore won Noodling Around.

“All in all, I think team work, the willingness to help each other out and a nice blend of teammates really sealed the deal for us,” said Barnes.

He explained they figured out their strength was in trivia- he and Blank had a great deal of experience, Elmore had worked in different divisions and Gach was a newcomer who had some of the information fresh from training. But, the team also won four of the physical challenges.

“I gotta give a shout out to Shawn Gach for shaking his Kleenex box like a backup dancer in a rap video, Charlie for his steadiness with a spaghetti in his mouth and a special shout out to Ralph who could bounce erasers for a living, if he wasn’t a broker and also bringing us home with the Chocolate Unicorn when all the chips were down,” Barnes said.

Winners were:

• Speed Eraser- Ralph Blank
• Noodling Around- Charlie Elmore
• Bite Me- Katie Forney
• Nose Dive: Anthony Harder and Charlie Elmore (Harder won tie breaker)
• Mad Dog: Chuck Kizer
• Chocolate Unicorn: Ralph Blank

Chocolate Unicorn

Check out our photo album of the Games on Facebook!

The team of Ralph Blank, Steve Barnes, Charlie Elmore and Shawn Gach- also known as “The Big Bang Theory”- won the first ever BAT Games this afternoon.

The Big Bang Theory- Ralph Blank, Steve Barnes, Charlie Elmore and Shawn Gach- won the BAT Games.

The Games were part trivia game and part activity game. Team building and training were the main focus of the event.

The Big Bang Theory was rewarded with a two hour lunch break to be used next week, 500 BAT Bucks for each team member, and, of course, bragging rights.

We’ll post a photo album with all the photos of the Games next week. Congratulations to The Big Bang Theory!