Emails from Harrold
LOVE OF COUNTRY
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 9:27 AM
To: Everyone <everyone@annettholdings.com>
Subject:
I just want to take a few minutes this morning to thank all of you for staying focused and doing such an excellent job yesterday, a day I believe will go down as one of the worst in American history and without a doubt the worst day in modern history. Thanks to your efforts we ended up with a decent day in spite of all the constraints we were dealing with.
It's hard to say what the coming days will be like from a business standpoint. We'll just have to take it a day at a time. There's no doubt in my mind that in the end, this company will be as strong if not stronger than ever because of people like you taking care of it.
Most importantly, our thoughts and prayers need to continue to go out to the victims and their families. I've always been told things happen for a reason. This one is hard to understand.
Thanks again to all of you and God bless.
Harrold Annett
CONCERN FOR TMC FAMILY DURING TRAGEDY
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 12:04 PM
To: Everyone <everyone@annettholdings.com>
Subject:
Our company has been in business for 29 years, thru some tough and trying times. While the current catastrophe we are all faced with may be our toughest test yet, there is no doubt in my mind that in the end, we will be stronger than ever. TOGETHER we will stand.
I've thought about sending this out to all of you for several days and as I sit here this Sunday A.M. I think it is time. First of all, I ask that each and every one of us keep the families and loved ones of the victims of the Trade Center, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania crashes in our thoughts and prayers. There is no way we can truly understand what they are going through.
You know I'm older than most of you (not that I'm proud of it) and I have never in my lifetime been through anything like we as Americans are going through right now so I feel confident none of you have either. As citizens of this great country, it is a time for all of us to come together like never before. As members of the AHI family, we need to do exactly the same thing.
When it comes to our national security, our President has surrounded himself with a brain trust like never seen before, guys like Cheney, Powell, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft, to name a few. We should rest assured that we are in good hands. These guys are mad as hell and are preparing to go out and do some SERIOUS damage, make no mistake about it. There is not a hole on the face of this earth deep enough for the terrorists who started all of this to hide in for very long.
What we, the AHI family, need to stay focused on is doing what we do best: DELIVERING AMERICA's GOODS. This is our chance to do our part so that we can look back at some point in the future and be proud. Proud that we did everything we could to help our country pull through this most difficult time, proud to say that we are Americans and we did it the American way. When the going gets a little tough out there, give one of us a call and give us a chance to help. The same with your family when they're struggling with you being gone, just give us a chance to see if there is anything we can do.
These are going to be some trying and possibly very difficult times for our company. I'm asking each and every one of you to do everything within your own capability to help us stay strong. Strong companies make for a strong economy and a weakening economy is something our country just doesn't need right now. Companies made up of good people like all of YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, make no mistake about it.
This will not be an easy time for the weak and faint of heart. The thought of quitting should not be allowed to even creep into our minds. We need to put everything we have into doing our jobs right the first time as often as possible right now, and just in case you haven't figured it out, WE ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST AT WHAT WE DO.
We have been working to find ways for the members of the AHI family to show their patriotism. In about a week, we will have 4x6 American flags available for all of you to put in the windows of your trucks. We're also making red, white, and blue ribbons for all of you to wear. And last but not least, we're in the process of setting up a fund we can all donate to for the families of the victims. You will be receiving further information regarding the above as it is available.
We will get through this. WE WILL WIN. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Harrold Annett
PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF TMC'S EMPLOYEES
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 9:21 AM
To: Company <Company@tmctrans.com>
Subject: ESOP
I have been approached numerous times over the years by companies/individuals interested in buying TMC. I have never really given any of these offers much consideration because I knew I would never be able to let something like that happen to all of the great people who work here. We have all worked so hard for so many years to create a great culture of pride in everything we do, and I have just never felt anyone from the outside would be able to understand and appreciate what we are really all about.
The thought of someone coming in and trying to change who we are and what we are, with no real appreciation for the pride we take in what we have built, was just more than I could bear to even consider. With that said, I know the only way to make sure our culture survives and our company continues to thrive is to put the ownership into the hands of the people who appreciate it the most, you, my friends and employees.
You have worked, and continue to work side by side with me, to build one of the absolute best trucking companies in the industry and you deserve it. So, I am putting my trust in all of you and establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which means TMC will become an employee-owned company.
Shares in the company will be distributed to all company employees at no cost to you. Setting up the ESOP will not change the dynamics of how the company is and will be managed. I plan on living for a long time and will be working at TMC every day just as I have for the last 41 years. I will own the remainder of the shares that have not been given to the ESOP, but in the event of my death, the company will become 100% employee-owned.
We will continue, as we always have, to pursue excellence in everything we do. The only difference is, you, our dedicated, hard-working employees will now reap the benefits as TMC continues to grow and prosper.
ESOP can be a very complicated program and I am sure you will have many questions. We will have several communications delivered over the next several months to explain ESOP and how it benefits you. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions outlined here.
Lastly and most important, THANK YOU for all that you do each and every day. I am looking forward to working with you in the future as we continue to build this great company together. Remember, now we are partners, each and every one of us. Congratulations!!!!!!
Harrold Annett
DESTINATION: EXCELLENCE
MOVED BY THE RESPONSE OF EMPLOYEES
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 1:49 PM
To: Company <Company@tmctrans.com>
Subject: ESOP
What an absolutely awesome week this has been. The outpouring of such gratitude and kind words from so many of you since we announced the ESOP has just been unbelievable. In 41 years of owning this business, these past few days have been the most gratifying ever. I have always considered all of you part of my extended family, and now my PARTNERS. What a great feeling!
We still have a lot of work to do together, and hopefully, we’ll all have a lot more fun along the way, knowing that now we will all reap an even greater benefit from all of our hard work and dedication. Let’s make our competition envious of the Black and Chrome.
Harrold Annett
THE STORY OF THE GEESE
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 10:47 AM
To: Company <Company@tmctrans.com>
Subject: Synergy
Over the years I have had so many customers, lenders, vendors, and friends ask me what I think sets TMC apart from our competition. What is it that makes us such a strong leader in our industry? I have responded to that question dozens and dozens of times by telling my story about the geese. I haven’t, however, shared it with many of you. With the recent announcement that our company has become employee-owned, I think the comparison of our culture to the geese flying in a V is even more fitting. As employee-owners, each and every one of us has the opportunity to help the person next to us stay in formation and not let anyone fall behind in our “Destination of Excellence.” Attached is a copy of the story I love to refer to. Enjoy.
We’re all in this together…charting our altitude by our attitude.
LESSONS FROM GEESE by Dr. Robert McNeish
FACT 1
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
LESSON
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
FACT 2
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON
If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
FACT 3
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.
FACT 4
The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
LESSON
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
FACT 5
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
LESSON
If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
REASSURANCE THAT WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO FIND SUCCESS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2015 10:35 AM
To: Company <Company@tmctrans.com>
Subject:
We started our business on March 6, 1972, almost 44 years ago. I just cannot believe how fortunate I have been to find myself surrounded by some of the absolute finest, loyal, hard-working, caring people.
In almost 44 years, there is one lesson about business I have learned above all else: It ebbs and flows. When business ebbs, we should all see that as our opportunity. While other members of our industry complain about business being slow, that should send an automatic signal to us that now is our time. We have many, many long-term customers who will always remain loyal to us and do anything to help us with some extra loads when possible. And while our competition is out there with that “Oh woe is me” attitude, we need to take advantage of their negativity and work harder than ever to bring on new customers, and hopefully some of theirs.
As an employee-owned company, the reward is well-earned money in each of our ESOP accounts. Also, not only will we be able to retain the drivers we currently have, we will be able to hire drivers who have left their previous company because they couldn’t make a living due to lack of freight to haul. Talk about opportunity!!
I’ve seen this cycle many, many times and I can assure you, times are what we make of them. It is completely up to us whether we decide to participate or not. So when you are talking to our customers or a potential new customer, always try to do it with a smile on your face, and confidence in your voice. Believe me, they can tell. As an employee-owned company we will all be amazed by the results of our double down efforts.
By the way, we will soon be releasing your new ESOP stock price for 2015 based on the independent evaluation that has been completed. If that doesn’t put a smile on all of our faces, I don’t know what will. When I first saw the number, my first thought was, ”That cannot be right”. It is just amazing how well OUR company performs when we all work together as business owners. I commonly refer to it as “unleashing the horsepower”.
Thank you all so much for making TMC a living, breathing example of what America is all about.
Harrold
HE BELIEVED IN THE LEADERS HE SELECTED
Example -
From: Annett, Harrold
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:31 AM
To: Company <Company@annettholdings.com>
Subject:
I am pleased to announce that Travis Johnson has been appointed to the newly created position of Executive Vice-President – Operations and Customer Service. Travis joined our company in 1995 as a fleet manager and has spent his entire tenure with our company in operations. Most recently he has served as ROC VP for the Northeast and Northwest areas where he has had responsibility for both the operations and customer service functions.
Please join me in welcoming Travis to his new hard-earned, well-deserved position. As always I will appreciate your usual outstanding support for Travis.
Travis will be releasing a statement shortly on some other important appointments he will be making within the operations-customer service area of our company.
While we are experiencing some unique and challenging economic times, we are very excited about the changes we are making to help us take best advantage of the opportunities we see in the marketplace going forward.
Harrold Annett
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7