Tony Fackenthall
Manager , Construction and Planning NT 2.0 , Cox Communications Tempe , Ariz . | 25 years of service
During 2020 , I worked as supervisor of the coax splicing team in our command center , making sure that I could capture all the data being called in by our technicians .
Proudest moment : One of the biggest things that I am proud of is the amount of work that the Arizona market knocked out . All the teamwork that was put in by the whole N + 0 team was tremendous .
Finding inspiration : The drive that everyone came in with every day was so inspiring . You could see that they took pride in their work and saw that ultimate goal and pushed toward the finish line .
Astron Vazquez
Cox Business Field Technician , Cox Communications Mesa , Ariz . | 20 years of service
I work in service and installation in the field , going to businesses for phone , internet and video .
Proudest moment : Going to work every day has been stressful at times , especially at the beginning of last year , going to hospitals knowing that they have people sick with COVID and going to other businesses and getting in contact with people . I think I was proud that I came to work every day and that I followed all safety rules and because of that I never got sick .
Staying the course : My supervisor and my director kept us safe by providing masks , gloves and all kinds of sanitizers and letting us make decisions in the field that kept us safe . It showed me that if you follow the rules , the problems that you face will be overcome and to have faith that you will make it home every day .
Victor Ferlaino
General Manager , Manheim Kansas City , Cox Automotive Kansas City , Mo . | 26 years of service
I am responsible for all aspects of the property , its staff , and company and client assets . I came to work to lead , protect and serve the rights and needs of all the people who work and do business at Manheim .
Biggest challenges : During the early weeks of COVID-19 , the staff was sent home and we largely closed all operations . Sales slowed or stopped . The “ normal ” high-energy atmosphere of the auction and sale day disappeared . The pressure of everyday work hustle was replaced by the stress and anxiety of the unknown . The fear of all things and the anxiety it caused in people ’ s everyday life was worse than anything I had previously dealt with .
Overcoming challenges : Safety was the priority , but we also had to be considerate of team members ’ anxieties , families and financial fears ; who worked from where and when or why ; and who came to the location . Simultaneously , we had to protect the staff , the physical auction , the clients and assets . It was important to not just keep people safe but ensure they felt safe .
Kim O ’ Boyle
Registration Admin / Senior Scanner , Cox Automotive East Greenbush , N . Y . | 3 years of service
Biggest challenges : During the pandemic , it was terrible . We didn ’ t know what was happening day to day . People were getting sick and we didn ’ t know if they would be OK . I was worried every day if “ today was my turn .” Fortunately I did not get sick through all the waves of COVID through our office . ( I have been fully vaccinated since May 6 .)
On feeling fortunate : I feel fortunate that I was still able to work and keep my job all the way through . So many others didn ’ t .
Finding purpose : There is light at the end of this tunnel , but it was dark for a very long time . The one constant that gave me purpose and a reason to get up every day was at 30 Tech Valley Drive in East Greenbush , New York . Going to work every day kept things normal-ish for me .
Torrey Portis
Event Traffic Coordinator , Cox Enterprises Atlanta , Ga . | 4 years of service
My team and I have gone from managing live , on-campus events to 100 % virtual production support . The event production team had to quickly pivot our methods in order to manage the growing request for virtual meeting support .
Overcoming challenges : An immediate challenge with being on campus during this time was the loss of the dining options , LOL ! Meal delivery services and bag lunches have become the norm . Everything else as far as company support has not wavered at all .
Proudest moment : This past year I have been proudest of my team and our ability to adjust the way we support these events at the drop of a dime . We have been just as busy , if not busier , than we were prior to 2020 .
“ It was strange at first not seeing all my Cox colleagues on campus . I really got a sense of a loss of community that I had grown accustomed to throughout the years .”
— Torrey Portis , event traffic coordinator , Cox Enterprises
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