Another good article by Ann Fisher / Cnn.com
Will being unemployed wreck your job hunt?
Posted by Annie
February 24, 2011 11:40 am
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating whether employers routinely screen out jobless applicants. While some might, here are a few ways to get around that.
By Anne Fisher, contributor
Dear Annie: Do most employers these days automatically reject job candidates who aren't already working? I hope not because, if so, I'm sunk. I've been out of work since being laid off a year ago. Recently I applied for a job I thought I'd be perfect for, at a company where two friends of mine have been working for a while. One of them told me in confidence that the reason my application was tossed in the circular file is that the company has a policy of considering only applicants who are currently employed. Please tell me this isn't a widespread practice. If it is, what can I do about it? —Out in the Cold
Dear O.C.: As you may already know, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission held a hearing last week on this very subject. Christine Owens, executive director of the National Employment Law Project, said NELP sees "a disturbing and growing trend among employers and staffing firms to refuse to even consider the unemployed for available job openings, regardless of their qualifications."
As examples, Owens mentioned a global phone manufacturer whose announcement of a marketing position stated that "no unemployed candidates will be considered"; a Texas electronics company whose online job posting said it would "not consider/review anyone who is not currently employed regardless of the reason" (ouch); and an ad for restaurant managers in New Jersey that said all applicants "must be currently employed."
Moreover, Owens noted, even when companies' help-wanted ads don't specify "employed applicants only," hiring managers can simply rule out jobless candidates without telling them why.
Anecdotal evidence aside, no one knows for sure how widespread anti-jobless bias really is. According to Fernan R. Ceparo, who testified at the hearing on behalf of the 250,000-member Society for Human Resource Management, "Employers are focused on finding the right people for the job, regardless of whether they are currently employed."
Ceparo added that, in SHRM's view, "screening out the unemployed is not an effective practice." It also, obviously, could contribute to continued sky-high unemployment rates, slowing the currently sluggish economic recovery even further.
The eventual outcome of the EEOC's investigation is a big question mark and, incidentally, it isn't clear what the agency can legally do about the problem even if they could prove it's endemic. Meanwhile, you need to concentrate on practical strategies.
It may help to keep in mind, first, that every job hunter faces some tough hurdles. "I've never seen a job search with no obstacles," says Jean Baur, a senior consultant at global outplacement firm Lee Hecht Harrison. "Everyone has something to overcome, whether it's that they made too much money in their last job, never graduated from college, or fill in the blank. The essential thing is not to get hung up on it. Focus on what you have to offer, not on what's 'wrong' with your resume."
Baur, who is the author of a smart, down-to-earth new book, Eliminated! Now What?: Finding Your Way from Job-Loss Crisis to Career Resilience, suggests three steps you can take right now to overcome the stigma (assuming there is one) of being out of work:
1. Look for contracting or consulting work. Depending on what field you're in, you may be able to find short-term projects that will help you keep your skills sharp, while also introducing you to new people. "Companies are running so lean now that they are relying more and more on outside contractors," Baur says. "Taking on a consulting or project role, even part-time, keeps you working." Then, on your resume, you can truthfully describe what you're currently doing: "No one needs to know right up front that you aren't technically an employee."
2. Get active in volunteer work. "Everyone knows this is a really good idea, but very few people actually do it," Baur observes. That's unfortunate, because helping out a nonprofit can yield unexpected dividends. Baur had one outplacement client who had been laid off from a marketing job at a big company and started volunteering at the American Cancer Society one day a week. "She did a great marketing campaign for them," says Baur. "She also made some terrific contacts, which led directly to her next 'real' job."
3. Build your reputation on LinkedIn. Answering questions in your areas of expertise, joining discussion groups, and asking contacts from your contract or volunteer work to write recommendations for your profile are all good ways to raise your visibility in your field, Baur notes. Likewise, the more active and involved you can get in professional and trade associations, the better.
"The point is to get to know people outside a formal job application or interview process," she says. "A person you meet informally who is looking to hire someone with your skills and qualifications, and who is impressed with you, will often want to bring you on board" -- even if they do happen to work for a company with a policy of hiring the already employed.
Talkback: Does your company prefer to hire people who currentlyhave jobs? Have you recently found a job despite having been out of work for a while? If so, what worked for you? Leave a comment below.
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Plastics Recruiter - How to protect your career.....
A good article by Anne Fisher at Fortune.com
How to protect your career during a merger
Posted by Annie
February 18, 2011 12:13 pm
New bosses, different rules, uncertain expectations -- when your company is acquired, the only sure thing is that your job is on the line. Here's how to come out on top.
By Anne Fisher, contributor
Okay, so you probably don't work for Genzyme, which was snapped up by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis yesterday, or for NYSE Euronext, which is set to merge with its German counterpart Deutsche Börse. Still, with the pace of global mergers and acquisitions accelerating, chances are your company could be next -- and that the people calling the shots in the new combined organization will hail from a culture you know nothing about. Can you survive?
Probably, if you take a few essential steps quickly. "Americans in general are horrible at adapting to other countries' cultures," notes Lois Frankel, CEO of Pasadena-based Corporate Coaching International, who has counseled executives at Fortune 500 companies around the globe. "In a merger, it's survival of the fittest. Step forward right away and ask what you can do to help ensure the merger's success. Your first question should be, 'How can we make this work?'"
Frankel observes that "often people see this as 'kissing up' and resist it. But it's just practical, because you get the information you need. Even if higher-ups tell you, 'Just keep doing what you're doing', you'll get points for having asked. The perception will be that you're going to be an asset, rather than an obstacle."
Another way to shine, says Jason Levin: Be curious about the acquiring company's culture. Levin is a district manager at career site Vault.com in Washington, D.C., but he has worked for a couple of French companies in Paris, for PepsiCo (PEP) in Viet Nam, and for Unilever (UL) in Sri Lanka.
He points out that every major U.S. city has embassies or consulates from many countries, as well as chambers of commerce that are dedicated to foreign companies. They all host cultural events, seminars, and networking parties.
"Get on their email lists and go," Levin advises. "It's a great way to get to know people and learn their social customs. Getting involved will mark you out as someone who has not only professional skills, but cultural savvy too. Besides, it's fun."
Note to NYSE Euronext (NYX) staffers: New York has a German-American Chamber of Commerce with 750 member companies. Upcoming get-togethers include a social media seminar on March 23 and, on May 26, an asparagus festival.
A simple web search using a phrase like "cultural differences in business" can yield a wealth of information about how your new bosses might operate. One example: worldbusinessculture.com, which offers insights on meeting protocol, teamwork, communication styles, dress codes, and many other workplace topics for 39 countries.
"If you show an interest in how your new colleagues do things, they will return the favor," says Levin, who, when someone sneezes, can say Gesundheit in six languages. "Always find out how to say 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'excuse me' in their native language. It's a small thing, but it shows a willingness to connect."
Of course, some mergers come with culture clashes that are unrelated to differing nationalities, and it pays to keep a sharp eye on those, too. About a decade ago, when BP (BP) acquired Arco, Lois Frankel coached managers from both companies.
"The two corporate cultures were vastly different," she recalls. "Arco was very paternalistic and philanthropic, while BP's focus was strictly on the bottom line."
It's a cautionary tale for anyone whose company is now in the throes of a merger. "The people from the Arco side who paid attention and got it, and who adapted, are still there," says Frankel. "The people who didn't…aren't."
Enough said.
More from Fortune.com:
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
How to protect your career during a merger
Posted by Annie
February 18, 2011 12:13 pm
New bosses, different rules, uncertain expectations -- when your company is acquired, the only sure thing is that your job is on the line. Here's how to come out on top.
By Anne Fisher, contributor
Okay, so you probably don't work for Genzyme, which was snapped up by French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis yesterday, or for NYSE Euronext, which is set to merge with its German counterpart Deutsche Börse. Still, with the pace of global mergers and acquisitions accelerating, chances are your company could be next -- and that the people calling the shots in the new combined organization will hail from a culture you know nothing about. Can you survive?
Probably, if you take a few essential steps quickly. "Americans in general are horrible at adapting to other countries' cultures," notes Lois Frankel, CEO of Pasadena-based Corporate Coaching International, who has counseled executives at Fortune 500 companies around the globe. "In a merger, it's survival of the fittest. Step forward right away and ask what you can do to help ensure the merger's success. Your first question should be, 'How can we make this work?'"
Frankel observes that "often people see this as 'kissing up' and resist it. But it's just practical, because you get the information you need. Even if higher-ups tell you, 'Just keep doing what you're doing', you'll get points for having asked. The perception will be that you're going to be an asset, rather than an obstacle."
Another way to shine, says Jason Levin: Be curious about the acquiring company's culture. Levin is a district manager at career site Vault.com in Washington, D.C., but he has worked for a couple of French companies in Paris, for PepsiCo (PEP) in Viet Nam, and for Unilever (UL) in Sri Lanka.
He points out that every major U.S. city has embassies or consulates from many countries, as well as chambers of commerce that are dedicated to foreign companies. They all host cultural events, seminars, and networking parties.
"Get on their email lists and go," Levin advises. "It's a great way to get to know people and learn their social customs. Getting involved will mark you out as someone who has not only professional skills, but cultural savvy too. Besides, it's fun."
Note to NYSE Euronext (NYX) staffers: New York has a German-American Chamber of Commerce with 750 member companies. Upcoming get-togethers include a social media seminar on March 23 and, on May 26, an asparagus festival.
A simple web search using a phrase like "cultural differences in business" can yield a wealth of information about how your new bosses might operate. One example: worldbusinessculture.com, which offers insights on meeting protocol, teamwork, communication styles, dress codes, and many other workplace topics for 39 countries.
"If you show an interest in how your new colleagues do things, they will return the favor," says Levin, who, when someone sneezes, can say Gesundheit in six languages. "Always find out how to say 'please,' 'thank you,' and 'excuse me' in their native language. It's a small thing, but it shows a willingness to connect."
Of course, some mergers come with culture clashes that are unrelated to differing nationalities, and it pays to keep a sharp eye on those, too. About a decade ago, when BP (BP) acquired Arco, Lois Frankel coached managers from both companies.
"The two corporate cultures were vastly different," she recalls. "Arco was very paternalistic and philanthropic, while BP's focus was strictly on the bottom line."
It's a cautionary tale for anyone whose company is now in the throes of a merger. "The people from the Arco side who paid attention and got it, and who adapted, are still there," says Frankel. "The people who didn't…aren't."
Enough said.
More from Fortune.com:
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Sales & Marketing Manager / Plastics Recruiter
My client is a small but very successful plastics company that is looking to hire a Sales & Marketing Manager for their operation in NW Ohio. We need someone how has the ability to multi-task and wear lots of hats! This person will be responsible for the account management of existing customers, driving new sales and working with suppliers and internal customers. This person will also oversee purchasing as well as handle the pricing and quoting. The qualified candidate must be coming from the plastics industry. This is a newly created position due to growth and will report to the VP Operations.
Being offered is a competitive salary plus incentives, medical insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays and a 401k plan. Send your resume to dregovich@ajaugur.com. All resumes are kept in strict confidence.
Keywords: injection molding, blow molding, resin, compounder colorants, extrusion, blown film
plastics recruiter
Dan Regovich - Plastics & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Being offered is a competitive salary plus incentives, medical insurance, paid vacation, paid holidays and a 401k plan. Send your resume to dregovich@ajaugur.com. All resumes are kept in strict confidence.
Keywords: injection molding, blow molding, resin, compounder colorants, extrusion, blown film
plastics recruiter
Dan Regovich - Plastics & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Monday, February 7, 2011
Open Injection Molding Engineer Position
I am working on a retained search for a client of mine that is a division of multi-billion dollar company with manufacturing locations all over the world. This division is an injection molder of industrial plastic products (non-automotive). We are in search of Injection Molding Engineer with a strong injection molding background to be based in Northwest OH.
The candidate for this position must be able to wear multiple hats with minimal instruction. This position will be involved with the tooling design and/or sourcing, automating manual processes. This person will also be involved with mold designs and mold construction management, new product designs and new product launches, troubleshooting and working with customers.
Being offered for this position is a competitive salary, bonus, paid vacation, paid holidays, excellent medical benefits, relocation package, room for advancement and a great working environment. This position will require minimal travel (15%). If you feel you could be a fit, send your resume to dregovich@ajaugur.com. All information is kept in strict confidence. Background checks and drug screens will be performed on anyone being considered for hire.
Dan Regovich - Plastics & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
The candidate for this position must be able to wear multiple hats with minimal instruction. This position will be involved with the tooling design and/or sourcing, automating manual processes. This person will also be involved with mold designs and mold construction management, new product designs and new product launches, troubleshooting and working with customers.
Being offered for this position is a competitive salary, bonus, paid vacation, paid holidays, excellent medical benefits, relocation package, room for advancement and a great working environment. This position will require minimal travel (15%). If you feel you could be a fit, send your resume to dregovich@ajaugur.com. All information is kept in strict confidence. Background checks and drug screens will be performed on anyone being considered for hire.
Dan Regovich - Plastics & Plastic Packaging Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Dan Regovich Recruiter - Resume Writing
My name is Dan Regovich and I am a recruiter that specializes in the Plastics and related industries. Below is a sample resume in which I believe is most effective. The format doesn't come out great for a blog but you'll get what I'm saying.
Sample Resume
123 Main St.
Cleveland, OH 44012
216-555-3000
sampleresume@sampleresume.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Fuses, Inc. – Des Plaines, IL Jan. 2003 – Jan. 2009
An injection molder and metal-former of fuses and electrical components
General Foreman / Production Supervisor
• Responsible for shift operations of Automotive Division which included directing the efforts of 3 Production Supervisors and up to 70 union and non-union employees in the injection molding, metal-forming, and final assembly of fuses.
• Transformed 3rd shift from worst to 1st in terms of production attainment and quality adherence.
• Scheduled production lines and ordered raw materials.
• Instrumental to company in role of transfer of production operations from Des Plaines to Piedras Negras, MX being responsible for shutting down Des Plaines manufacturing and simultaneously starting up operations in Mexico. Extensive travel for 2 years as we relocated operations one department at a time.
• Deemed within top 1% of employees awarded an 18 month incentive package to stay until U.S. operations ceased.
U.S Robotics/3COM/MSL – Mt. Prospect, IL May 1995 – Nov. 2002
Manufacturer of high-speed data/fax modems utilizing surface mount technology
Production Manager
• Responsible for managing entire shift operations which included 6 Production Supervisors and up to 400 assemblers, machine operators, and electronic technicians concerning all aspects of high-tech production from the placement of electrical components through final testing and packaging.
• Devised and successfully implemented a packaging strategy which saved over $3 Million in annual payroll costs.
• Transferred from shift to shift every 6 months and in each transfer the shift in which I was assigned became the leader in production attainment.
United Technologies Automotive – Newton, IL June 1994 – May 1995
Manufacturer of electrical wiring harnesses
General Supervisor
• Responsible for all aspects of 2nd shift operations including 5 departmental supervisors and 200+ hourly associates.
• Operations included plastic extrusion, cutting, component placement and final assembly.
Union Frondenberg US Co. – Olney, IL Oct. 1990 – May 1994
Injection molder and metal-former of bicycle parts
Production Manager June 1992 – May 1994
• Responsible for all phases in the production of bicycle components including injection molding, metal forming, assembly, packaging, plant organization, scheduling of equipment, implementing production rates and most human resource functions.
• Increased plant productivity in excess of 35% while simultaneously reducing hourly employee headcount from 120 to 85.
• Implemented and directed company Safety Program in compliance with OSHA.
Quality Assurance Manager Oct. 1990 – June 1992
• Wrote and implemented quality assurance procedure manual in compliance with ISO 9002 standards.
• Virtually eliminated customer complaints of manufactured products.
• Invented and implemented a Left/Right visual aid for bicycle pedals which is now customary throughout worldwide manufacturing and can be found on practically every bicycle on the road.
• Recognized by VP of Huffy Sports as “best” Q.A. Manager of all 105 suppliers to the company.
Education
B.A. – Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, IL
A.S. – Olney Central College – Olney, IL
Additional Training
• Lean Manufacturing
• Demand/Flow Technology
• Kaizan
• Poke-Yoke
• 6S
• Total Quality Management
Military
U.S. Army Sept. 1990 – May 1991
• Operation Desert Storm
• Awarded Army Commendation Medal
U.S. Army Reserves July 1986 – July 1994
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Dan Regovich Recruiter Resume Writing
Sample Resume
123 Main St.
Cleveland, OH 44012
216-555-3000
sampleresume@sampleresume.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Fuses, Inc. – Des Plaines, IL Jan. 2003 – Jan. 2009
An injection molder and metal-former of fuses and electrical components
General Foreman / Production Supervisor
• Responsible for shift operations of Automotive Division which included directing the efforts of 3 Production Supervisors and up to 70 union and non-union employees in the injection molding, metal-forming, and final assembly of fuses.
• Transformed 3rd shift from worst to 1st in terms of production attainment and quality adherence.
• Scheduled production lines and ordered raw materials.
• Instrumental to company in role of transfer of production operations from Des Plaines to Piedras Negras, MX being responsible for shutting down Des Plaines manufacturing and simultaneously starting up operations in Mexico. Extensive travel for 2 years as we relocated operations one department at a time.
• Deemed within top 1% of employees awarded an 18 month incentive package to stay until U.S. operations ceased.
U.S Robotics/3COM/MSL – Mt. Prospect, IL May 1995 – Nov. 2002
Manufacturer of high-speed data/fax modems utilizing surface mount technology
Production Manager
• Responsible for managing entire shift operations which included 6 Production Supervisors and up to 400 assemblers, machine operators, and electronic technicians concerning all aspects of high-tech production from the placement of electrical components through final testing and packaging.
• Devised and successfully implemented a packaging strategy which saved over $3 Million in annual payroll costs.
• Transferred from shift to shift every 6 months and in each transfer the shift in which I was assigned became the leader in production attainment.
United Technologies Automotive – Newton, IL June 1994 – May 1995
Manufacturer of electrical wiring harnesses
General Supervisor
• Responsible for all aspects of 2nd shift operations including 5 departmental supervisors and 200+ hourly associates.
• Operations included plastic extrusion, cutting, component placement and final assembly.
Union Frondenberg US Co. – Olney, IL Oct. 1990 – May 1994
Injection molder and metal-former of bicycle parts
Production Manager June 1992 – May 1994
• Responsible for all phases in the production of bicycle components including injection molding, metal forming, assembly, packaging, plant organization, scheduling of equipment, implementing production rates and most human resource functions.
• Increased plant productivity in excess of 35% while simultaneously reducing hourly employee headcount from 120 to 85.
• Implemented and directed company Safety Program in compliance with OSHA.
Quality Assurance Manager Oct. 1990 – June 1992
• Wrote and implemented quality assurance procedure manual in compliance with ISO 9002 standards.
• Virtually eliminated customer complaints of manufactured products.
• Invented and implemented a Left/Right visual aid for bicycle pedals which is now customary throughout worldwide manufacturing and can be found on practically every bicycle on the road.
• Recognized by VP of Huffy Sports as “best” Q.A. Manager of all 105 suppliers to the company.
Education
B.A. – Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, IL
A.S. – Olney Central College – Olney, IL
Additional Training
• Lean Manufacturing
• Demand/Flow Technology
• Kaizan
• Poke-Yoke
• 6S
• Total Quality Management
Military
U.S. Army Sept. 1990 – May 1991
• Operation Desert Storm
• Awarded Army Commendation Medal
U.S. Army Reserves July 1986 – July 1994
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Dan Regovich Recruiter Resume Writing
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Top Median Salaries
My name is Dan Regovich and I am a recruiter that specializes in the Plastics Industry.
Highest Median Salaries from CNN.com
Median SalaryRank Job title Best Jobs rank Median salary*
1 Anesthesiologist 11 $292,000
2 Physician/Ob-Gyn1 22 $222,000
3 Psychiatrist 24 $177,000
4 Nurse Anesthetist 15 $157,000
5 Sales Director2 10 $140,000
6 Actuary N.A. $129,000
7 Finance Director 29 $121,000
8 Software Architect3 N.A. $117,000
9 Attorney/Lawyer 18 $115,000
10 Insurance Broker N.A. $114,000
From the November 2009 issue
Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com.
Methodology: We looked at jobs from the top 100 with the highest median salaries. When there were multiple job titles from the same category, we selected the job with the most familiar job title.
* Median salary is for an experienced worker (at least two to seven years in field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile.
1 Other highly paid M.D. positions include Emergency Room Physician, General Practitioner and General Surgeon.
2 Other highly paid positions in this field include Product Management Director.
3 Other highly paid positions in this field include Software Development Director and Business Management Software Consultant.
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Dan Regovich Plastics Recruiter Top Salaries
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Highest Median Salaries from CNN.com
Median SalaryRank Job title Best Jobs rank Median salary*
1 Anesthesiologist 11 $292,000
2 Physician/Ob-Gyn1 22 $222,000
3 Psychiatrist 24 $177,000
4 Nurse Anesthetist 15 $157,000
5 Sales Director2 10 $140,000
6 Actuary N.A. $129,000
7 Finance Director 29 $121,000
8 Software Architect3 N.A. $117,000
9 Attorney/Lawyer 18 $115,000
10 Insurance Broker N.A. $114,000
From the November 2009 issue
Notes: All pay data from PayScale.com.
Methodology: We looked at jobs from the top 100 with the highest median salaries. When there were multiple job titles from the same category, we selected the job with the most familiar job title.
* Median salary is for an experienced worker (at least two to seven years in field). Top pay represents the 90th percentile.
1 Other highly paid M.D. positions include Emergency Room Physician, General Practitioner and General Surgeon.
2 Other highly paid positions in this field include Product Management Director.
3 Other highly paid positions in this field include Software Development Director and Business Management Software Consultant.
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
Dan Regovich Plastics Recruiter Top Salaries
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Friday, September 25, 2009
Plastics Recruiter Dan Regovich - Football
My name is Dan Regovich and I am a recruiter that specializes in the Plastics Industry.
Nothing to do with Recruiting or business but a great story...........
Ark player ends game with a noble gesture
Thamail Morgan took the kickoff and headed up the field.
He was at the 20 ... 30 ... 40
He had been avoiding, dodging or just simply running through tacklers on the way. Football always had come easily for Morgan. This game was no different. By the time he hit midfield, only open space was ahead of him. The two-time Arkansas all-state selection was headed for a touchdown.
40 ... 30 ... 20
He glanced at the clock and saw the final seconds ticking away. He realized his team, Cave City, was on the way to a victory over Yellville-Summit, comfortably ahead, 34-16. He also realized two other things: This wasn't an ordinary game. And he wasn't the same Thamail Morgan.
When he reached the 2, he stopped. He took a few steps back and took a knee at the 5-yard line.
******
Yelleville-Summit is a co-op program, a combination of two small rural schools in the northern part of Arkansas, near the Missouri border. Combining the schools allows them to field a football team. But even then, the squad is so small that coach Calvin Mallett has to bring extra uniforms in case a lineman gets hurt and someone needs to fill in.
On Sept. 11, before a game with Salem, the schools came together for a pep rally. Afterward, four of the players piled into the bed of Kymball Duffy's truck to head to his house for a pre-game meal.
According to Marion County Sheriff Roger Vickers, this is what happened next.
As Duffy came over a hill, he quickly came upon a brush pile in the road. Duffy swerved into the other side of the road, attempting to avoid it. He lost control of the truck, sending it into a tumble.
The four players in the back - whose names are not being released - were thrown from the vehicle. Miraculously, three of the players in the back suffered only minor injuries. A fourth remains in the hospital but appears to be headed for recovery. Duffy was killed at the scene.
The game with Salem was cancelled.
The town held memorial services for Duffy, then decided they needed to continue the season as part of the healing process.
Before taking on Cave City, the most seriously injured of the four players in the back of the truck, spoke to the team from his hospital bed.
Players from Yellville-Summit and Cave City met at midfield before the game for a moment of remembrance. Players on both teams were a No. 72 decal - Duffy's number - on their helmet.
The game began and Cave City quickly scored. Minutes later, it scored again. And again. All hope for a storybook ending appeared lost.
******
Thamail Morgan is the type of player who can dominate a high school game. On every play.
Last year, playing for Newport in a state playoff game against Heber Springs, he had 15 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles on defense. He had 145 yards receiving and two touchdowns on offense.
He was coveted by most Division I programs in the South. Then it all changed.
In January, he violated an unspecified school rule that banned him from athletics for a year. Morgan would be eligible for basketball during his senior season but not football.
A year away from football would hurt his chances of gaining a scholarship, so - after considering a number of options - he transferred roughly 40 miles away to Cave City. His scholarship offers did not travel with him.
"Before I screwed up and got myself into trouble, I had some schools like Arkansas, Florida State, Ole Miss, and some other big schools looking at me,'' he said. "Now they are not looking at me, but I have no one to blame but myself for that. Hopefully I can get on someone's radar, even if it is a lower level D-1 or D-2 school."
Cave City coach Jon Bradley was willing to take a chance on Morgan. But only if he met certain conditions. He not only is required to attend extra weight lifting and conditioning exercises, he is required to participate in after-school activities with a local church and meet with a pastor on a regular basis for counseling.
"Everyone makes mistakes," Bradley said. "Thamail made some mistakes that did not allow him to play football anymore at Newport, and we knew what those mistakes were when he came here. I sat him down and talked to him, and let him know I was willing to give him a chance, but there were certain things that he would have to do in order to play for our program.
"So far, he has accomplished, and continues to do everything he has been asked to do, and then some. He has transitioned well and the kids here have accepted him. He is doing well in class, and is a leader on the football field and is a great athlete. We feel fortunate to have him."
******
Bradley said he didn't get word the game with Yellville-Summit was going to be played until Tuesday. He then wondered all week how it would play out.
"I did not know what to expect due to the tragedy,'' he said. "You go into the game wanting to win, but then, you feel bad doing it. When we went up 21-0 in the first quarter, I just can't explain how I felt. The atmosphere was so weird. I just can't explain it."
His players sensed it too.
"They told me on the sidelines that Yellville-Summit was not into it and they did not want to pad stats or run up the score,'' he said. "At that time, I started substituting our kids in and out of the game."
At this point, what the game represented became clear to Bradley.
"Everyone was glad that they were out there playing, getting some sort of return to normalcy,'' he said. "But everyone was going to be glad when it was over."
Yellville-Summit eventually scored in the second quarter, after Cave City had replaced many of its regulars. Bradley did not have a problem with that.
"I talked with Coach Mallet earlier in the week and before the game," Bradley said. "He let me know that if the game was to get out of hand, he simply did not have the players to substitute due to his numbers. So, I knew that when I pulled our guys, that there was a chance they would score."
It was 28-8 at halftime. Then 34-8 at the end of three quarters. Yelleville-Summit scored a second time with little time left to make it 34-16.
They had to kick off, sending a line drive that bounced its way to the back. To Morgan.
"We didn't even think they would kick off," Bradley said. "And we had him (Morgan) all the way back. It was our top return team, but we only have one return team."
What he did next surprised Bradley.
"I did not tell him to kneel down, he did it on his own," Bradley said. "I did not expect them to kick it to him. I figured they would kick away, because he has the ability to break away. I did not know that he was going to do what he did. He broke tackles, ran sideline to sideline, and got to the 2, and just stopped. That is when he backed up and took a knee on the 5-yard line."
******
Morgan did not do this completely on his own.
"We were on the sidelines yelling for him not to score," Bradley said. "Some of the players on the field were saying it, too. But I'm not sure how much he could have heard all of it."
He heard it, Morgan admitted. But he didn't need to.
"Before the game, we as a team talked about being classy,'' he said. "We did not want to come out in a game like this and not show any class.
"As I was running, some of my teammates told me not to score, and I knew that scoring was not the right thing to do."
He was glad to be a part of what happened.
"I just want to thank my teammates for not only being classy all night, but pushing me to be classy as well,'' he said.
The gesture was well received.
"We weren't sure how gloomy they would be before the game,'' Morgan said. "They had gloom, but it was not as bad as we thought. We met before the game, and they told us that they did not want us to feel sorry for them, and they did not want us to back off just because of what happened. They wanted us to play them like we would have if Duffy has still been there with them, so we did.
"After the game, they complimented us, and even thanked us for the way that we played them. They are some really cool cats, and I wish them the best of luck with their healing process and the rest of their season. I hope they make the playoffs."
******
What becomes of the rest of Morgan's football career remains to be seen.
He is getting interest from Arkansas State and Central Arkansas. Bigger schools such as Southern Miss and Texas Tech are starting to re-enter the picture.
At 6-1, 195 with a 4.5 time in the 40, there's no doubt he can play. It's the other issues that are a concern. Bradley is doing his best to make those go away.
"I send things out to places and I tell schools, he's had some off the field issues, but if you're interested, please call me because it's not near as bad as what it sounds,'' Bradley said. "They assume his grades are bad or that he's done something really, really bad. Everyone deserves a second chance. He's doing the right thing."
Bradley said he and Morgan have had many talks, but none of them have been about behavior.
"He's not a discipline problem at all,'' Bradley said. "His grades are getting better. He'll have an opportunity to play. He's too good of an athlete and too good of a young man right now."
Bradley admitted he had concerns at the beginning but they have proven to be unfounded.
"I've never seen anything negative out of the kid,'' he said. "He's the most polite kid. He works hard. He knows he has one shot to get his education.
"He's showing people he's doing the right thing."
That was never more evident as when he kneeled down on the field.
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
plastics recruiter / headhunter dan regovich
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Nothing to do with Recruiting or business but a great story...........
Ark player ends game with a noble gesture
Thamail Morgan took the kickoff and headed up the field.
He was at the 20 ... 30 ... 40
He had been avoiding, dodging or just simply running through tacklers on the way. Football always had come easily for Morgan. This game was no different. By the time he hit midfield, only open space was ahead of him. The two-time Arkansas all-state selection was headed for a touchdown.
40 ... 30 ... 20
He glanced at the clock and saw the final seconds ticking away. He realized his team, Cave City, was on the way to a victory over Yellville-Summit, comfortably ahead, 34-16. He also realized two other things: This wasn't an ordinary game. And he wasn't the same Thamail Morgan.
When he reached the 2, he stopped. He took a few steps back and took a knee at the 5-yard line.
******
Yelleville-Summit is a co-op program, a combination of two small rural schools in the northern part of Arkansas, near the Missouri border. Combining the schools allows them to field a football team. But even then, the squad is so small that coach Calvin Mallett has to bring extra uniforms in case a lineman gets hurt and someone needs to fill in.
On Sept. 11, before a game with Salem, the schools came together for a pep rally. Afterward, four of the players piled into the bed of Kymball Duffy's truck to head to his house for a pre-game meal.
According to Marion County Sheriff Roger Vickers, this is what happened next.
As Duffy came over a hill, he quickly came upon a brush pile in the road. Duffy swerved into the other side of the road, attempting to avoid it. He lost control of the truck, sending it into a tumble.
The four players in the back - whose names are not being released - were thrown from the vehicle. Miraculously, three of the players in the back suffered only minor injuries. A fourth remains in the hospital but appears to be headed for recovery. Duffy was killed at the scene.
The game with Salem was cancelled.
The town held memorial services for Duffy, then decided they needed to continue the season as part of the healing process.
Before taking on Cave City, the most seriously injured of the four players in the back of the truck, spoke to the team from his hospital bed.
Players from Yellville-Summit and Cave City met at midfield before the game for a moment of remembrance. Players on both teams were a No. 72 decal - Duffy's number - on their helmet.
The game began and Cave City quickly scored. Minutes later, it scored again. And again. All hope for a storybook ending appeared lost.
******
Thamail Morgan is the type of player who can dominate a high school game. On every play.
Last year, playing for Newport in a state playoff game against Heber Springs, he had 15 tackles, a sack and two forced fumbles on defense. He had 145 yards receiving and two touchdowns on offense.
He was coveted by most Division I programs in the South. Then it all changed.
In January, he violated an unspecified school rule that banned him from athletics for a year. Morgan would be eligible for basketball during his senior season but not football.
A year away from football would hurt his chances of gaining a scholarship, so - after considering a number of options - he transferred roughly 40 miles away to Cave City. His scholarship offers did not travel with him.
"Before I screwed up and got myself into trouble, I had some schools like Arkansas, Florida State, Ole Miss, and some other big schools looking at me,'' he said. "Now they are not looking at me, but I have no one to blame but myself for that. Hopefully I can get on someone's radar, even if it is a lower level D-1 or D-2 school."
Cave City coach Jon Bradley was willing to take a chance on Morgan. But only if he met certain conditions. He not only is required to attend extra weight lifting and conditioning exercises, he is required to participate in after-school activities with a local church and meet with a pastor on a regular basis for counseling.
"Everyone makes mistakes," Bradley said. "Thamail made some mistakes that did not allow him to play football anymore at Newport, and we knew what those mistakes were when he came here. I sat him down and talked to him, and let him know I was willing to give him a chance, but there were certain things that he would have to do in order to play for our program.
"So far, he has accomplished, and continues to do everything he has been asked to do, and then some. He has transitioned well and the kids here have accepted him. He is doing well in class, and is a leader on the football field and is a great athlete. We feel fortunate to have him."
******
Bradley said he didn't get word the game with Yellville-Summit was going to be played until Tuesday. He then wondered all week how it would play out.
"I did not know what to expect due to the tragedy,'' he said. "You go into the game wanting to win, but then, you feel bad doing it. When we went up 21-0 in the first quarter, I just can't explain how I felt. The atmosphere was so weird. I just can't explain it."
His players sensed it too.
"They told me on the sidelines that Yellville-Summit was not into it and they did not want to pad stats or run up the score,'' he said. "At that time, I started substituting our kids in and out of the game."
At this point, what the game represented became clear to Bradley.
"Everyone was glad that they were out there playing, getting some sort of return to normalcy,'' he said. "But everyone was going to be glad when it was over."
Yellville-Summit eventually scored in the second quarter, after Cave City had replaced many of its regulars. Bradley did not have a problem with that.
"I talked with Coach Mallet earlier in the week and before the game," Bradley said. "He let me know that if the game was to get out of hand, he simply did not have the players to substitute due to his numbers. So, I knew that when I pulled our guys, that there was a chance they would score."
It was 28-8 at halftime. Then 34-8 at the end of three quarters. Yelleville-Summit scored a second time with little time left to make it 34-16.
They had to kick off, sending a line drive that bounced its way to the back. To Morgan.
"We didn't even think they would kick off," Bradley said. "And we had him (Morgan) all the way back. It was our top return team, but we only have one return team."
What he did next surprised Bradley.
"I did not tell him to kneel down, he did it on his own," Bradley said. "I did not expect them to kick it to him. I figured they would kick away, because he has the ability to break away. I did not know that he was going to do what he did. He broke tackles, ran sideline to sideline, and got to the 2, and just stopped. That is when he backed up and took a knee on the 5-yard line."
******
Morgan did not do this completely on his own.
"We were on the sidelines yelling for him not to score," Bradley said. "Some of the players on the field were saying it, too. But I'm not sure how much he could have heard all of it."
He heard it, Morgan admitted. But he didn't need to.
"Before the game, we as a team talked about being classy,'' he said. "We did not want to come out in a game like this and not show any class.
"As I was running, some of my teammates told me not to score, and I knew that scoring was not the right thing to do."
He was glad to be a part of what happened.
"I just want to thank my teammates for not only being classy all night, but pushing me to be classy as well,'' he said.
The gesture was well received.
"We weren't sure how gloomy they would be before the game,'' Morgan said. "They had gloom, but it was not as bad as we thought. We met before the game, and they told us that they did not want us to feel sorry for them, and they did not want us to back off just because of what happened. They wanted us to play them like we would have if Duffy has still been there with them, so we did.
"After the game, they complimented us, and even thanked us for the way that we played them. They are some really cool cats, and I wish them the best of luck with their healing process and the rest of their season. I hope they make the playoffs."
******
What becomes of the rest of Morgan's football career remains to be seen.
He is getting interest from Arkansas State and Central Arkansas. Bigger schools such as Southern Miss and Texas Tech are starting to re-enter the picture.
At 6-1, 195 with a 4.5 time in the 40, there's no doubt he can play. It's the other issues that are a concern. Bradley is doing his best to make those go away.
"I send things out to places and I tell schools, he's had some off the field issues, but if you're interested, please call me because it's not near as bad as what it sounds,'' Bradley said. "They assume his grades are bad or that he's done something really, really bad. Everyone deserves a second chance. He's doing the right thing."
Bradley said he and Morgan have had many talks, but none of them have been about behavior.
"He's not a discipline problem at all,'' Bradley said. "His grades are getting better. He'll have an opportunity to play. He's too good of an athlete and too good of a young man right now."
Bradley admitted he had concerns at the beginning but they have proven to be unfounded.
"I've never seen anything negative out of the kid,'' he said. "He's the most polite kid. He works hard. He knows he has one shot to get his education.
"He's showing people he's doing the right thing."
That was never more evident as when he kneeled down on the field.
Dan Regovich - Plastics Recruiter
AJ Augur Group, LLC
440-357-7600
www.ajaugur.com
dregovich@ajaugur.com
plastics recruiter / headhunter dan regovich
Formerly with RSI Recruiter Solutions International, VP Plastics & Filtration
Within the plastics industry, we service comanies with the following technologies: injection molding, blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, multilayer blow molding, thermoforming, cast extrusion, profile extrusion, extruded film, blown film, plastic film, rotational molding/rotomolding, plastic sheet, calendaring, casting, compression/transfer molding, foam molding, pultrusion, resin, color and compounding,
The primary end markets that these products go into: aerospace, agriculture, apparel/garment bagsappliances, automotive/transportation, beverage, building/construction, computers, consumer products, containers/closures, fencing, fiber optics, flooring, food service, grocery bags, electical/electronics, food pacakaging, household chemicals, household-care packaging, industrial, irrigation, labels, laminations, lawn & garden, marine, medical/pharmaceutical, municipal water & sewer, office products, personal-care packaging, plastic cups/lids, recreational, signage & displays, shrink film, stretch film, swimming pools/spas, tanks agricultural/industrial, telecommunications, toys, trash bags, vinyl siding, windows & doors, wire & cable
Types of Materials: ABS, Acetal, Acrylic, Fluoropolymers, HDPE, HMWHDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, Nylon, PC, PET, PETG, PEX, PLA, Post-Consumer Resin, PP, PPO/PPE, PS/EPS, PVC, PVDC, SAN/SMA, Thermosets, TPE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
