ValleyCrest Gives Trucks to Accident-Free Employees

ValleyCrest Companies, the nation’s foremost landscape services company for nearly 60 years, presented five employees with 2007 red Ford F-150 trucks in recognition of their superior performance in workplace safety. Begun as a safety incentive program in 2002, the company’s unique truck giveaway program encourages employees to perform throughout the year accident free. The recipients were selected in a drawing from more than 3,400 eligible employees in five regions who qualified for the annual incentive program.

To qualify, full-time field employees must have completed one-year of service with no accidents and be employed by a branch that met or exceeded the company’s threshold safety standards. The program is part of ValleyCrest’s commitment to preventing injuries, accidents, and protecting its workers. 

ValleyCrest’s safety program instills a sense of ownership in the company’s employees and is offered in both English and Spanish. “We have an aggressive, pro-active, safety program for all our employees,” said Sr. Vice President, Asset Management, Mike Dingman whose department oversees the company’s safety initiatives.  “Our workforce is about 80 percent Hispanic and the availability of policy and training information in Spanish is comprehensive.” 

ValleyCrest training initiatives include a new-hire safety orientation; monthly training sessions for all supervisory field management; weekly safety conference calls; safety training compliance; and weekly tailgate meetings. In addition, the company offers quarterly safety incentives for safe work habits culminating in the annual truck drawing.

“Awarding these trucks is our way of recognizing our employees’ immense contributions to safety awareness,” said Burton S. Sperber, ValleyCrest Companies founder & CEO. Sperber also went on to compliment the company’s safety team for improving safety education and training and raising the bar for the industry as a whole. “Historically, ValleyCrest has had a strong safety record, but as we grew, we also grew our level of resources and increased our commitment.  Since we launched our safety program, our workers compensation claims and vehicle incidents dropped significantly.”

Please join us in congratulating the five lucky new Ford truck winners and join us in recognizing the importance of ensuring comprehensive and pro-active safety practices and procedures.

• David Santiago, laborer, ValleyCrest Landscape Development Atlanta, Ga., a 5-year employee
• Jose A. Ramirez, crew leader, ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, Memphis, Tenn., a 5-year employee
• Heriberto T. Jimenez, crew leader, ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance, Ventura, Calif. , a 5-year employee
• Saul Barragan, landscape foreman, ValleyCrest Landscape Development, Orlando, Fla., a 6-year employee
• Crescencio Cruz, equipment operator, ValleyCrest Golf Course Maintenance Woodcreek Golf Course, Roseville, Calif., a 6-year employee