4th Issue 2014 Islander
Transcription
4th Issue 2014 Islander
2014 / Volume 1 / Issue 4 Innovative Leaders IN THE ZONE Being a leader is fundamental to being an Islander. Welcome to the year end edition of the Islander. Thank you for all that you’ve done for Island and our clients in 2014. This year has been another year of focusing on safety and driving our culture to be the safest in the industry. No matter what we do as professionals, we, at Island, are measured by how safe we do it. Since PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE the introduction of ZONE Zero, our safety numbers tell a powerful story – real improvement year after year. 2014 is a year to not only be proud of, but to build upon as we work toward zero incidents and accidents. Our success is not because of words or programs – it is because of your commitment and your belief that zero is possible. Your willingness, regardless of position or title, to accept responsibility, to stop unsafe work and to be a leader in our journey to zero is important. In fact, being a leader is fundamental to being an Islander. We are deeply committed not only to training leaders around you so that they can better support you, but to providing them the tools and resources to help you strengthen your leadership skills. In October, we hosted important PIC Leadership Meetings in Lafayette with our Lead and “A” Operators. While we reviewed what it takes to be a leader, the most important outcome was the buy-in we received about what it means to lead at Island. These meetings impacted me and the people who attended them and we trust they will impact each and every Islander as well as our customers. The leadership meetings focused on several areas that are fundamental to our being and working safe. Hazard identification, JSAs, and mentoring were each major areas of discussion and focus. Our ability to better identify and communicate hazards as well as our commitment to thoroughly completing and following JSAs must continue. These help us to identify potential future risks so that we can work to eliminate them before they occur. We will continue to provide our senior personnel, and each of you, with tools to become better, more effective leaders. It is the Island way and it is our promise – as we work to support the important decisions you each make on a daily basis. Great things are ahead. I am excited and am looking forward to working with you to achieve the many goals we have in store – including our ultimate goal of zero. Be safe in all that you do. Keep leading. Gregg Falgout 2 Islander Magazine www.islandoperating.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 6 FEATURES 4 Living in the Zone: Leading into Safety 6 It Takes an Island 8 Faces to Know Kimberly Falgout looks forward to her new role with the company, eager to meet each and every Islander. As a leading company in safety, Island has made a conscientious effort to build a culture that relies on its people to be leaders. 8 Islanders rally around one of their own, supporting her through her fight with breast cancer. A Keen Sense of the Island Spirit The Island Spirit continues to set the benchmark for our company culture. Gabby Landry: Living Up to His Name 12 Explanation of Benefits Guide 20 How to Stop a Stroke from Starting 21 Gabriel “Gabby” Landry loves to tell stories but these days, he tells a different story, one that has him waiting for a liver transplant. 10 12 10 An easy-to-understand document that shows you the costs associated with medical care received. Not every stroke is preventable but there are some known preventable risk factors that can be modified with lifestyle habits. NEWS 20 21 7 habits to prevent a stroke www.islandoperating.com In the ZONE / President’s Message Focus on Training Hard Hats Off! INC Free Inspections Working in the Zone ZONE Zero Incentives Payroll Announcements Dispatches Insurance Open Enrollment Money Matters 2 9 10 11 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 Islander Magazine 3 “ I take great pride in the company and all its accomplishments. It is an amazing Interview With Kimberly Falgout ………… organization filled with wonderful people ” who are dedicated to each other. Q: What will your position be at Island? First and foremost, I will focus on the financial part of the business. In addition to the finances, I will assist with insurance issues as well as supporting my sister with any overflow legal work. Just like all Islanders, I will do whatever is needed to support the company. In my role as Vice President, I look forward to supporting the leadership team and taking on some of my father’s daily responsibilities so that he can devote more time to customers. Q: How long have you been with Island? It feels like I have been an Islander since as early as I can remember. My earliest memories of Island are when I was 4 or 5 and I would travel with my dad to the Lafayette office. But, my actual work experience began when I worked summers during my undergraduate years; I have had the privilege to work in many departments over the years. I’ve also served on the Island board since 2008. Q: Did you think you were going to end up working at Island at some point? I would say working at Island was always part of my plan. I’ve spent so much time here over the years and I take great pride in the company and all the accomplishments it has made over the years. It is an amazing organization filled with wonderful people who are dedicated to each other. I am so excited to be part of the Island family. Q: What makes you most proud about your dad and what he has built at Island? I’m incredibly proud of my father’s work ethic and his dedication to Island. He is so genuine and he believes so much in the company and Island’s commitment to be the safest company of its kind. It’s been amazing to see this company grow from when it had 16 people working offshore to what it has become today. It’s truly impressive that the company has been able to be as successful as it is and still retain a family-focused culture. Part of this is driven by my father and his drive to balance growth while retaining a family-first culture. Another part is that he has surrounded himself with a leadership team that is as driven and dedicated to our company’s mission as he is. 4 Islander Magazine www.islandoperating.com FACES TO KNOW Q: How would you describe the culture at Island? What Q: Is there any sibling rivalry between you and Christine? drives this culture? Family. Treating fellow co-workers like family is what makes Island unique What will it be like to be working so close to your family each day? and is probably the biggest contributor to its culture and why we are (laughs) Well, we are both very ambitious and driven individuals, so safe. People here look out for one another and lend a helping hand but no – we get along really well. Family is so important to each of us when in need. I remember coming to the office when I was younger and and we are proud we are both working full time at the company. We there would always be someone in the kitchen cooking something for take great pride in being such a tight knit group. Every day we try to the group or bringing in food for others. The atmosphere is like one big have at least one meal together as a family – whether it be lunch or family, and still today, we all treat each other with that same respect. dinner – and not talk about work. We just catch up and talk about the important things going on in each other’s lives. Having this Q: What drives the safety culture at Island? connection to one another is important. The people here at Island drive our culture of safety. They believe that we are the safest and have a responsibility to remain the safest. The culture of safety Q: Where will you be based? at Island is so strong. Employees understand that they have the authority and I will commute between Lafayette and Houston and plan to alternate the ability to control their own decisions related to safety. Island empowers weeks on-site in Lafayette with Christine. Most of all, I will be wherever employees to take charge of their safety. It is why Island has also gone to great the company or our customers needs me to be. lengths to support employees’ use of Stop Work Authority and has invested great resources to ensure our men and women have the tools and training Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Lafayette? they need to do their work safely and responsibly. Pretty much anywhere where I can find good Cajun food – gumbo is my favorite. Fezzo’s is definitely my go to place. And, I have to admit, Q: What is the biggest thing you bring to Island? that I meet my dad at Cracker Barrel every morning at 6am when I am I am going to work as hard as everyone who is here. I think the work ethic in Lafayette. and understanding the Island culture are the biggest things I bring. I also bring a fresh set of eyes to the company and the opportunities we face inside and outside our company. The next generation of Island employees is very tech savvy and I hope to bring a greater focus to our online and social media efforts that I believe will help build greater camaraderie, better communication, and assist with our recruitment efforts. This fresh take on our business, along with my understanding of Island through my time on the Board and with my years of being in and around the company’s office, will allow me to help bridge both the old and the new. “ The next generation of Island employees is very tech savvy and I hope to bring a greater focus to our ” online and social media efforts. Q: What has your father taught you to prepare you for this new role? My dad has taught me so many things that it is hard to pick just one. Probably the biggest lesson is treating others with respect. I see the way he interacts with all people and there is always respect for who they are and what they do – regardless of their title. He believes in Q: What else would you like to share with other Island employees? I’m very eager to be part of the Island Operating team and am looking and trusts people. forward to getting to meet each and every one of you. I’ve been in Q: Outside of work, what do you like to do? me to learn from each of you and grow as an Islander, so I’m eager There are so many things I enjoy outside of work. I’m a tennis player and and around Island for many years now, but there is so much more for to get started. I enjoy playing singles and doubles with my sister Christine. I also enjoy long-distance running and ran two half marathons while in law school. Aside from my athletic interests, I am passionate about animal welfare and volunteer regularly at animal shelters www.islandoperating.com Islander Magazine 5 Leading into Safety We have all been there before: a feeling in your gut is building, telling you that something is not right. Sometimes the answer is obvious, but often it isn’t. You scan the environment for clues to help inform your thinking. Questions flash through your thoughts at an increasing speed as you check off the list in your mind that will lead you to making, what could be, a crucial decision. The time is fast approaching to take action. Are you up to the task? It is not a question of if, but when you will be in a position to make a tough call. You and you alone will be required to step up and make a decision that could have long lasting consequences. And whether this situation takes place on the job or in your personal life, the correct answer will require a mix of experience, common sense, and courage to help ensure you make the right choice. As a leading company in safety, Island has made a conscientious effort to build a culture that relies on its people to be leaders. To us, leadership means being comfortable with the autonomy that Islanders have been afforded and to use stop work authority when necessary. It means feeling empowered to stand up and call out fellow employees or supervisors when the work is being unsafely executed. It means having the courage to stand for your right to be safe and not depend on others to make the tough decisions for you. 6 Islander Magazine Being a leader is daunting. It is not a quality one comes by easily. While others can coast by, doing what is asked of them without considering the risks or the alternatives, it is a leader who questions. Why this way? Is there another approach? Is this reasonable given the circumstances? Do we have the right tools? Are we properly trained for this? Is this appropriate to achieving our mission? Does this follow the Island way? A leader stands alone as others look for direction but cannot find it for themselves. Make no mistake, leadership does not equate to insubordination. Rather, it is a result of having the courage to seek greater clarity in any situation, to question others’ motives and to adjust the path one is on by taking in all sources of information and relying on experience to show them the right way. Leadership requires individuals to rely on their instincts in high-pressure situations. Sometimes time is short. In other cases, resources may be limited. In either circumstance, a leader does not execute decisions blindly or without considering all consequences. A leader makes the call with great calculation. A leader stands by his or her decision. It requires a great deal of experience and training to have the confidence to think this way, but even younger employees can be leaders. In fact, fresh eyes can sometimes provide a new perspective. Leaders are innovative and do not rely on the status quo. www.islandoperating.com As Islanders, we hope you always remember that being a leader requires courage in the face of adversity, questioning of the status quo, conviction in your decision-making and an eye for innovation. Please know that you are empowered with the authority to stop work when you deem it is unsafe. We have high expectations for you, each and every Islander, because we are a company of leaders. As we finish out another successful year, please remain safe in everything that you do and be proud of your role as an ambassador for Island and as a leader within our company. Flame-Resistant Shirt Gift As part of our ongoing investment to achieve zero, Island is providing employees with a fantastic gift this quarter. Islanders will receive a ZONE Zero branded, Bulwark FR long-sleeve polo shirt. The lightweight and breathable knit polos stylishly improve moisture management with uncompromising protection. This model polo is made with Milliken Amplitude G2 Fabric – a lightweight and durable moisture-wicking fabric – and comes equipped with a placket zipper, chest and concealed sleeve pockets, underarm side seam gussets and concealed rib knit cuffs. Bulwark FR Long-sleeve Polo Shirt As a leader in the FR garment industry, Bulwark products are made with rigorous standards to provide the best protection all while helping to improve comfort and performance on the job. It is our sincere hope that you will wear these new shirts with pride and continue working with safety at the top of your mind. Always Keep the Principles of ZONE Zero in Mind Island’s ZONE Zero program is designed to empower every single Island Operating Company employee to create the safest work environment in the industry. The goal is to create a work environment with zero personal injuries, zero accidents and zero preventable occurrences. Z – Zero accidents. O – Own your work. N – Never compromise safety. E – Every voice matters. Island Operating Annual PIC Meetings We held our annual PIC meetings in October where we gave away five $100 gift cards at each meeting. Congratulations to the following winners: Week 1 Sam Cobb, Charles Jackson, Marcelle Stewart, Anthony Shuff, and Clay Bergeson Week 2 Stephen Sonnier, Russell Danos, Scott Fontenot, John Bary Guillory, and Mike Yokam Week 3 Joseph Babin, Mitchell Manuel, Travis Vincent, Ricky Albert, and Keith Flurry Week 4 Gerald Kratzer, Ronnie Duet, Paul Guidry, Toby Cunningham, and Shannon Parker www.islandoperating.com Islander Magazine 7 s d e n k a a l T Is It n a sa s eli th i w M ed ut l s ir no abo g G r ia ed she d u O as rri er d w e wo eth an ng i u t h g r ti was w mily en o r d pp a A he an r fa Sev u s . e s ly is S el er, emo r h job ami n M anc ch re fo her nd f e f h c h a a W st oug o c s o r Isl .” ea thr le t and he ope r b g ab em dits of h n e e t d i go ld b the e cr “gif u sh e wo p up ter, r th e la e ke ths ng h on ivi m hg t wi In April 2014, Melissa, an Arnaudville native, was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. She had a bilateral mastectomy, along with chemotherapy, and is undergoing radiation treatments. When she first got her diagnosis, she says she felt alone. “I was in a state of shock,” she confided. “I would have never dreamt of one day having to face the trials of cancer.” Finding hope through understanding “ I believe no one should be alone from diagnosis through treatment.” ~ Kathy Abshire Melissa says she coped with treatment by having her family by her side every step of the way. “I am so blessed and thankful for all of the donations from my Island family. Thank you Island for being so generous throughout this journey and for giving me hope. It means the world to me.” “I have learned so much since receiving my diagnosis. I couldn’t have gotten through the challenges that I faced without my immediate family, as well as my Island family.” A Recognized Passion for Helping Others 8 Islander Magazine Last month, Gregg Falgout was recognized for his leadership and passion for helping others and his commitment to community with his appointment to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. The board plays a crucial role in advancing the initiatives of MD Anderson by helping to raise funds, awareness, and support for the institution. To Gregg, while this is a prestigious role, the appointment is an opportunity to ensure the highest level of care remains at MD Anderson and to help people and their families who have cancer be able to find the best care. We are proud of the recognition that Gregg has received and look forward to the support he will be able to provide to so many in need. www.islandoperating.com FOCUS ON TRAINING The Importance of Being On Time Time is extremely important in our life; it helps us structure our daily activities – including the scheduling of our training courses. Training Facility Policy Change. The training facilities have notified us they will no longer admit late arrivals into class – no exceptions. Please allow enough time to compensate for any unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic, wrecks, trains, etc., when traveling to your scheduled training class. Anyone not admitted into the facility due to a late arrival will be rescheduled for the following day. Keep your card on you at all times. After the completion of your required training courses, you will receive a certification card and/ or certificate depending on the training facility in which you were scheduled. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have either your certification card on you at all times and/or a current copy kept in your files offshore. This information is necessary for verification of completion of all required training courses mandated by Island Operating Company, Inc. If you have any questions, you may call and speak to Erica Clayton, Callie Leverett, Meghan Stelly or Mario Bruno in the Training Department. THANK YOU The following employees went over and beyond expectations and we would like to pass along our thanks and appreciation. Frank Averett Will Burton Jason Chapman Joseph “Ricky” Delafosse Wayne Fabre, Sr. Jules Lafleur Danzel Marcantel III Ryan Willis Water Survival Training Update There has been an update to the Water Survival Training renewal interval for Island Operating employees. The renewal interval has been changed from 3 years to 4 years. www.islandoperating.com The employees listed on the left were entered into a random drawing for ZONE Zero points which will be added to their accounts. Congratulations to this quarter’s winners: 30 Points: Joseph “Ricky” Delafosse 50 Points: Will Burton 100 Points: Jules Lafleur For more information 100% RIGHT ON COURSE The following employees scored a perfect 100 on their T2 Basic or T2 Refresher course and received Zone Zero points. 100% T2 BASIC Brandon Pellerin Alois Guepet Robert Biessenberger Joseph Godeaux Bobby Rider Chris Andrepont Joshua Dent John Ferris Dennis Kolle James Gaspard Thaddeus Jennings Anthony Shuff Chris Sanders Andre McCalope Rickey Perero Dominic Darbonne Kourtlin Benoit Patrick Tuccio Cory Perkins Brendon Manuel Chad Roberts 100% T2 REFRESHER Bobby Holloway Todd Trahan Bradley Robicheaux Tommy Raynal Stephen Melvin Nathan McBride Michael Credeur Clinton Roberts Ben Pitre James Hawley Joseph Patty Thomas Wiggins Ross Leblanc John Lalonde Dustin Reid Josh Fontenot David Veillon Michael Dupont Benjamin Cole Dalton Bouley Lee Ethridge Michael Wootan Frank Averett Johnny Leboeuf Isaac Deperrodil Chet Ortego Charles Bertrand Dalton Lacombe Jacques Bourque John Brandes Dexter Smith Michael Aguillard Russell Benoit Jake Francis John Hluska Bradley Thibodeaux Darryl Plaisance Jonathon Thibodeaux Christopher Holland Randall Todd Suire Andre Landreneau Gatlin Rodrigue Terry Seaux Canute Warren Seth Pickering Joseph Richey Chris Lemaire Lucien Lege Chad Shuff Burnell Roberson Patrick Patterson Joel Portie Leland Tagert Jeremy Swanzy Damon Francois contact the Training Dept. at 337.233.9594. Islander Magazine 9 HARD HATS OFF Hats off to the following Island Operators for their commitment to safety and ZONE Zero. The majority of these kudos are for employees using their Stop Work Authority (SWA). Thank you, Jacques Bourque, for quickly recognizing that the slings were slipping and using SWA. Thanks for not trying to make the lift and instead, sending the transformer back to be properly slung for offshore. Great job! Victor Richard, we appreciate that you recognized and didn’t underplay the crane operator’s heat stroke. It is a real malady that needs to be taken seriously, just like you did. It can endanger not just the operator, but those around him as well. Thanks for keeping the workplace safe. Thank you, Kyle Sellers, for always being aware of safety issues while making your rounds. Barriers that are designed and installed to protect people from the open holes are a must. Thanks for using SWA and rendering this situation safe. Thank you, Ronald Fruge, for the safety mentality that you have instilled in your crew, especially the rigger. They did a fine job of shutting this operation down and addressing the helicopter pilot’s communication with platform personnel prior to startup and departure. Tommy LeBlanc, your keen observation of the job site allowed you to detect the leak and seal it off. Your dedication to ensuring that everyone works as safe as possible was proven in this situation. Thanks for living ZONE Zero. Thank you, Leonce Daigle, for using SWA when you were faced with a difficult situation and handling it in a respectful manner. Thanks again for not only looking out for your own safety but for the safety of others. Mike Wootan, we commend your decision to shut everything down after recognizing the hazard that the leak presented. This is a great example of taking action to prevent what could have been a serious situation from occurring. Your actions prove that Island has the “best operators in the industry”. 10 Islander Magazine A Keen Sense of the Island Spirit The following letter was written by Joseph Key, Offshore Installation Manager at Island Operating. He was encouraged by how the Island spirit continues to set the benchmark for company culture. Communicating with a safety mindset means communicating clearly, accurately and with decisiveness. When we face hardships in our lives, it is always a comfort and a blessing to have family or friends upon which we can rely. The same holds true here at Island, and that kind of spirit was recently demonstrated to those aboard The Innovator at the Ingleside GMF Shipyard. Our crew found itself in need of an experienced crane operator and a helping hand for some of our upcoming projects. Due to a recent departure from Island, we were short-handed. Mr. Danny Keen, who normally works for our Fieldwood contract, stepped up to the plate to help his fellow Islanders. On short notice, and sacrificing his leisure time, Mr. Keen cheerfully joined our crew temporarily to help us achieve our goals. Not only was Danny helpful in completing our projects, but his fresh perspective to our crew gave us a renewed sense of what ZONE Zero is all about. Every voice matters. I think it is safe to say that most of us have, at one point or another, seen how easy it is to get complacent regarding tasks with which we are very familiar. Danny was able to identify a few potential hazards that may have been overlooked by our crew, and he shared his concerns with us in a way that did not seem at all condescending or belittling to The Innovator’s crew. We consider this to be a gift and we are grateful for it. Since a deepwater facility is new to Danny, he had many thoughtful questions about our operations. Mr. Homar Gonzalez and Mr. James Hennessy of The Innovator took great pride in sharing the knowledge we have gained while working in the deepwater environment. I certainly hope that Danny goes back to his regular job with a little bit more knowledge in his “tool bag”. In conclusion, I think we all learned, or were at least reminded of, a valuable lesson. We have, collectively, probably thousands of years of experience between all of us Islanders. When something is pointed out to you, take it as a gift because that is exactly what it is. It is the benefit of experience without the pain of making a mistake. Thank you, Danny Keen, for your Island spirit! Thanks and Best Regards, Joseph Key Offshore Installation Manager Island Operating Company jmkey@islandoperating.com www.islandoperating.com INC FREE INSPECTIONS APEX OIL & GAS, INC. East Cameron 24-A & B, EC 34-1 Joseph Babin, Jake Carrier, Terry Curole, Justin Hebert, Kevin Lanerie, Marcus Melancon, Dustin Monceaux Arena Offshore, LLC Eugene Island 251-C Mervyn Bridges, Christopher Holland, Gabriel Williams Jr. Eugene Island 314-B Robert ‘Dale’ Biessenberger, Shane Book, Thaddeus Carmouche, Hunter David, Steven Dempsey, David Fontenot, Brandon Francois, Ronald Fruge, Jason Guillory, Robert Hernandez, David Hollis, Aaron Leblanc, Victor Richard, Jade Simon, Michael Soileau, Bradley Thibodeaux, Jade Thibodeaux Grand Isle 78-A, GI 82-A Carl Aguillard, Richard Bowlin, Don Cheramie, Khalid Dandachli, Darrell Debate, Michael Dupont, Wayne Felarise Jr., Ted Fontenot, Wesley Foster, Cody Matherne, Charles McIntyre, Justin Powell, Trae Thibodeaux High Island A 547-B Louis Fontenot, Trampus Goodwin, Gene Leblanc, Mitchell Manuel, James ‘Brett’ Snider, Paul Stall, Shane Trumps South Marsh Island 192-A Jeremy Andras, Jack Calloway, Patrick Green, Robert Hernandez, Kevin Pryor, Nicholas Regan, Joseph Thompson, Ted Thompson Jr., Andy Young South Pass 83-A Antonio Bruno, Larry Courtney, Seth Fruge, Kendal Hood, Cody Parfait, Jeremy Swanzy, Rex Thibodeaux, Stuart Wright BLACK ELK ENERGY East Cameron 23-10, EC 23-11, EC 23-12, EC 23-A, EC 82-A, EC 82-B, EC 82-C, EC 83-4, EC 83-B, West Cameron 142-A, WC 173-4, WC 173-K Jeremy Clay, Terry Curole, Damon Hebert, Bruce Ogden, David Sonnier II, Matt Toups, Gerry Walton West Cameron 20-14,15 Robert Biessenberger, Todd Henry, Casey McCardle, Charles McCartney, Joseph McGee, Jacob Nevils, Jeffery Verzwyvelt, Timothy Whisenant BOIS D’ARC Ship Shoal 170 Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Michael Dupont, Kendal Hood, Landon Lewis, Michael Parker, Joseph Richey, Chad Roberts CENTURY EXPLORATION West Cameron 366 Todd Henry, Michael Linder, Edward Lowery, Casey McCardle, Charles McCartney, Michael Perry, Garry Rivers, Jonathon Thibodeaux, Jeffery Verzwyvelt West Cameron 368 Harvey Doga, Henry Jones, Ian Jordan, Michael Linder CONTANGO OPERATORS, INC. Eugene Island 10-G, EI 10-I, EI 11-H James Bordelon, Atiba Dauzart, Hunter David, Michael Dumiller Jr., Jason English, Jacob Fontenot, Glenn ‘Ricky’ Gaspard, Jared Grissom, Gerald Kratzer, Guy Lopez, Brendon ‘Benny’ Manuel, Korey Miller, Timothy Norris, Joshua Parsley, Justin Shook Ship Shoal 263-B Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Wayne Felarise Jr., Michael Parker, Joseph Richey Vermilion 170-A Charles ‘Chuck’ Bertrand, Jared Bonin, John Johnson, Gerald Kratzer, Johnny Leblanc, Guy Lopez, Timothy Norris, Kevin Pryor, Justin Shook, David Simar EC OFFSHORE PROPERTIES, INC. East Cameron 71-D Josh Fontenot, Alfred Hatch, Timothy Taylor, Michael Yocham ENERGY XXI South Pass 93-A Paul Andermann, Tony Combs, Ridge Felarise, Kellen Lowery, John Nevils, Joseph Patty, David Reed, Anthony Rozas, William ‘Trent’ Sullivan South Pass 93-B Daniel Dasilva, Kenwood Gary, Marcelle Stewart, Thomas Young Vermilion 164 George Davis, Keith Derouen, Blaine Faulk, Jason Fontenot, Douglas Johnson, Oby Reynolds, Bradley Robicheaux West Delta 32 - Complex Paul Andermann, Michael Baham, Roland ‘Shaun’ Brooks, Brent Cobb, Thomas Deshotels, Paul Guidry, Alvin Johnson, Michael Lemaire, Jeramie Liner, Allen Massey, Donovan Nelton, Dylan Rumore, David Trigg Jr., Michael Wootan ENVEN ENERGY Mustang Island A-85-A Roger Strackbein FIELDWOOD ENERGY Grand Isle 83-A Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Michael Dupont, Wayne Felarise Jr., Kendal Hood, Landon Lewis, Michael Parker, Joseph Richey West Delta 86-A Douglas Stafford West Delta 122 Jerome Jackson Main Pass 311-A Ronnie Duet South Pass 60-BE Hunter Kinsaul West Cameron 165 Alan Abshire, Rusty Benson West Cameron 289, WC 290, WC 291 #2, WC 291 #3, WC 291 #8, WC 291-A, WC 295, WC 314 Allan Abshire, Rusty Benson Jr. HELIS OIL & GAS High Island 129-#18 Jeremy Clay, Terry Curole, Damon Hebert, Bruce Ogden, David Sonnier II, Matt Toups, Gerry Walton M21K, LLC West Delta 68-A Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Michael Dupont, Wayne Felarise Jr., Landon Lewis, Michael Parker, Joseph Richey PEREGRINE West Delta 63-E, WD 64-C, WD 64-D Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Michael Dupont, Wayne Felarise Jr., Kendal Hood, Landon Lewis, Michael Parker, Joseph Richey PETRO VENTURES Main Pass 133-C Kendall Arnaud, Michael Arnaud, Daniel Berzas, Robert Blanchard, Joseph Godeaux, Joseph Guillory, Wesley Mayeaux, Rusty Meche, Jacob Rider, Ricky St. Ann PETROQUEST Eugene Island 246-J Arthur Delcambre, Travis Douget, Gabriel Landry, James Richard, Joshua Soileau, Thomas Wiggins West Cameron 230-C Jeremy Clay, Damon Hebert, Bruce Ogden, David Sonnier II, Matt Toups, Gerry Walton Rooster Petroleum Vermilion 371 Bobby Breaux Chandalier 43, Main Pass 166-A, MP 255-A, Viosca Knoll 780 Tracy Marquez, David Scarborough, Canute Warren, Dane Legnon, Shannon Fruge, Jonathan Woodson East Cameron 2 Ted Breaux, Jake Veillon East Cameron 37, Vermilion 22 Joseph Babin, Jake Carrier, Terry Curole, Justin Hebert, Kevin Lanerie, Marcus Melancon, Dustin Monceaux Eugene Island 315 Marty Collette, Mark Hebert Mississippi Canyon 109-A Benjamin Laseter, Jeffery Pitts, Sean Surginer, Todd Trahan Grand Isle 94 Benjamin Cole, Reginald Harris, Jason Seal South Pass 70 Steven Bussard, Sedrick Hampton South Pass 42, SP 67-A Greg Richard West Delta 79-A, B, C, E, F Shane Zimmerman, Jasmond Jones www.islandoperating.com Main Pass 296-B Sam Galetskas STONE ENERGY Main Pass 288 Brendon Lemaire, Tommy Morgan Sr., Drake Trim TANA EXPLORATION Eugene Island 315-C Arthur Delcambre, Travis Douget, Gabriel Landry, James Richard, Joshua Soileau, Thomas Wiggins West Cameron 116 #4, WC 116-B Jeremy Clay, Damon Hebert, Bruce Ogden, David Sonnier II, Matt Toups, Gerry Walton Exceptional INC Free Inspections Great inspections. A result like this can only be accomplished by a dedicated team of true professionals. Thanks for all that you do for Island and our customers to keep us at the forefront of the industry. Eugene Island 331-B Renaissance 85 Components / 0 INCs Brian Breaux Mark Daire Donald Joubert John Haile Ricky Long Galen Schexnayder Ed Duhon Allen Sanchez South Marsh Island 128-B Fieldwood 81 Components / 0 INCs William Young Charles McCormick Kaden Fontenot Jordan Allen W & T OFFSHORE Main Pass 69-E Carl Aguillard, Marcell Chung, John Dwyer, Robert Elliott, Hugh Hession, John Hession, Brent Maturin, Bradley Russo, William Vanmeter, Jon Williams West Delta 72-B Richard Bowlin, Chad Combest, Khalid Dandachli, Michael Dupont, Wayne Felarise Jr., Kendal Hood, Landon Lewis, Michael Parker, Joseph Richey WALTER OIL & GAS Ship Shoal 189-C Joshua Dent, Devin Fontenot, Bryan Foreman, Johnny Fortenberry, Don Leblanc, Nicholas Painter, Chadwick Reed, Corey Rentrop, Ryan Stanley, Gary Stewart, Patrick ‘Gene’ Tuccio, Rodney Wheeler Ship Shoal 243-A Louis Arnette, Eric Blanchard, Kenneth Duet, Trevor Dugas, Christopher Istre, Anthony ‘Tony’ Lebleu, Clinton Meaux, Terence Meaux, Chase Sonnier Islander Magazine 11 LIVING UP TO HIS NAME Gabriel Landry has been living up to “Gabby,” a nickname given to him by his grandmother from Texas. Gabby loves to tell stories about bow hunting with his sons or when he was 10 years old and shot a gun for the first time. His sentences are often interrupted or punctuated by his own laughter. You’d never know that this seemingly carefree guy is fighting cancer and is in need of a liver transplant. Surgery has bought him some time, but the clock is still ticking. An avid hunter, Gabby poses with Gator Queen Liz Cavalier Choate from “Swamp People”. 12 Islander Magazine www.islandoperating.com With all of Gabby’s challenges ahead, his Island family is definitely helping to make his journey easier. Father and Son Connections T “ hey said my liver will get better,” said Gabby, who lives south of Kaplan, La. “But with the cancer, it’s not a matter of if it will come back, it’s when it will come back. Because of that, I need a new liver.” “But the good Lord brought me to it, He’ll bring me through it. I don’t have a doubt in my mind. I have too much to teach the young ones. I can’t leave just yet.” Gabby returned to work October 18th at Island Operating, where he serves as an A Operator. He has worked at Island for a total of nine years, which include his current six-year stint with the company. He believes Island’s family atmosphere has helped him navigate work and illness. “Island is one of the best companies to work for,” said Gabby, 55. “They’re good people and I get along with everybody. The girls in the Insurance Department are really cool. Everybody works to take care of each other.” “Miss Tammy and the girls, Ashley and Nicole, they’ve been great. Anything and everything I needed. Sometimes, I’d get a little aggravated but they’d take it all in stride. They didn’t hold it against me. I try to treat people like how I like to be treated. I wasn’t too mean,” Gabby said with a laugh. www.islandoperating.com Gabby said life has been a treat in the oilfield, where he’s worked since the age of 19. After spending three years in the U. S. Navy, he began working as a helper to his father, Winston, in the Gulf of Mexico. “He was my best friend, then,” said Gabby. “He’s my best friend now.” He also shares a strong father-son relationship with his adult sons, Gabe, 32, and Craig, 30. Gabe works as a foreman in a Baton Rouge chemical plant. Craig is studying to be an emergency medical technician at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. Gabby and his sons are avid hunters and enjoy spending time at camps in Tensas Parish. Hunting with family has left him with lots of memories. “I love it. I live for it. Just the other day, I was talking about when I shot my first gun. I was shooting at a dove flying by. My uncle said, ‘You’re all right?’ I said, ‘Yeah, why?’ He said, ‘When you pulled the trigger, your eyes were closed.’ Pains in the Stomach Family time became more special to Gabby after he started experiencing pains in his lower stomach last year. A doctor ordered a series of exams during a wellness physical. An ultrasound revealed spots on his liver, which led to an operation that removed two, 2-inch tumors. Doctors inserted probes that emitted high frequency radio waves that burned the tumors. The exams revealed he had contracted hepatitis C, that went undetected for some time. The disease left his liver with chronic cirrhosis, scarring that keeps the organ from functioning properly. Another liver is needed to replace it. Gabby feels great, but has reminders that all is not well. “If you ever cut yourself real bad and that area went numb for a while – I have several spots like that. That’s what my liver feels like, like I have a big numb spot where they did the surgeries. There’s the usual little stinging, little stabs, like hot pins. It just passes. It’s nothing serious.” Support for the Challenges Ahead Gabby said some insurance hurdles must be cleared before he’s placed on a transplant list. He has to stay infection-free and once the transplant takes place, he’ll be on drugs to support his immune system. With all of the challenges ahead, Gabby’s Island family is definitely helping to make his journey easier. “From the front desk, where Miss Jenny sits, going all the way down the hall. The girls in the personnel department, Miss Sandra and Nikki, everybody has been just great. I still get a hug and a kiss on the cheek from them all. I know a lot of the land managers. It takes me a while to get in the back where Tammy and the girls work, after saying hello to everybody. It’s like working for a family. It makes me feel good when I hear I’m getting prayers from somebody.” Islander Magazine 13 WORKING IN THE ZONE Thinking, acting, and working safely every day. The following are the winners for the 3rd quarter of the ZONE Zero observation program. The winning cards were selected from observations made between July 1st and September 30th. The top 5 overall winners were chosen anonymously by operators who volunteered at various crew change locations. A total of 8,235 points were awarded to 1 500 PTS Troy Narcisse Fieldwood Energy While making crew change, we encountered inclement weather. Due to our heliport being out of service, all transportation and work was done by boat. When we arrived at the platform, there were lightning strikes and high winds, in which case presents a significant hazard to personnel safety and crane operations. I deemed it unsafe and consulted with the crew onboard about postponing crew change until the weather permitted. Knowing safety is foremost, we all agreed that postponing the transfer was the safest thing to do. When the weather calmed and permitted, we safely made crew change without incident. 114 winners. 400 PTS David Brignac Contango Operators Due to past incidents concerning improper location of grounding leads on welding machines and subsequent fires due to arcing on wooden decks, our customer’s policy is the ground connection needs to be in the immediate area being welded. On this particular job, the ground was attached on the drill deck and welding was taking place below on the production deck. Directly under the ground was a pressurized fuel gas line. We located a leak in the line and by shear luck we avoided a possible situation. A high pressure Plidco clamp was installed on the leak and we had the construction foreman move the ground to the proper location. Proper grounding procedures and policy were brought to the attention of the construction foreman, as well as his entire crew. 14 Islander Magazine 3 300 PTS Jason Jinright Fieldwood Energy During the cleaning of some vessels on our platform, a 4500 lb cutting box needed to be lowered from the top deck to the cellar deck using the east crane. I entered the crane, completed my pre-use, and sent the aux line down to the rigger on the deck. While lifting the box off the deck and swinging it over to the east side where I was to lower it down, I observed a fishing boat had just arrived and tied up directly under where the load was to go. I stopped the job and had the other operator contact the boat and ask them to move due to the heavy load overhead. Once the boat moved, I continued with the lift. Shortly thereafter, I had to use the west crane to move the cleaning crews’ toolbox to the cellar deck. Upon entering the west crane, I observed the same fishing boat was now directly under the location where the toolbox needed to be moved to. I notified the other operator and once again we had the fishing boat move a safe distance away from the platform. All the lifts were completed safely and it just goes to show you we need to keep an eye on others as well as ourselves. 4 200 PTS Donald Deshotel Stone Energy The blast and paint crew was leaving the ESD stations wrapped after their work shift was over for the day. I met with the construction crew about potential problems regarding this issue. We discussed that if there was an emergency, we may have had trouble in accessing the ESDs. It was corrected by the crew and there have been no problems since then. 5 100 PTS Shane Miller Arena Energy During sandblasting operations on our platform, I observed a deckhand working on the boat deck without eye protection. I stopped the employee from his task and requested he get the required PPE. I reminded the individual that he had attended a JSA meeting where proper PPE was discussed and that company policy requires all employees, regardless of location, to wear PPE. www.islandoperating.com AREA WINNERS BY SUPERVISOR: Raymond Salinas Fieldwood Area 1: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Larry Dunn Gerald Prince Nathan Mcbride Larry Dunn Aubrey Tillman Richard Bourque Fieldwood Areas 1 & 2 Area 1: 1. William Graham 2. Richard Adams 3. William Graham 4. Daniel Biewer 5. Corey Samples Area 2: 1. Troy Narcisse 2. Bryon Tauzin 3. Bobby Breaux 4. Michael Miller 5. Brandon Skaggs Rob Hernandez Fieldwood Areas 4 & 5 Area 4: 1. Gregory Dupree 2. Charles Stephens 3. Joel Fialeix 4. Greg David Area 5: 1. Robert Wall 2. Kenneth Stephens 3. Casey Cryer 4. Damon Savoie 5. Willie Zephrin Jody Soileau Fieldwood Area 6 1. David Brignac 2. Allen Hebert 3. Chad Roberts 4. Rainey Moore 5. Scott Fontenot Bert Faul Fieldwood Areas 6 & 7 Area 6: 1. Jacque Bourque 2. Jason Jinright 3. Gary O Brien 4. Charles Phillips 5. Nicholas Cloud Rod Laseter Stone Energy 1. Donald Deshotel 2. Shane Lapoint 3. Blaine Frick 4. Justin Parsley 5. Blaine Frick Chris Fontenot Stone Energy – West Virginia 1. Wayne Martin 2. Kevin Leblanc 3. Jeff Haught 4. Tommy Lege Kenny Broussard Freeport McMoran 1. Lucky Kerry 2. Scott Bujol 3. Ricky Perrero 4. Travis Hebert 5. Ricky Delafosse Deany Smith John Saldana Mike Kibodeaux 1. Sam Galetskas 2. Adam Lewis 3. Robert Spicer 4. Travis Hession 5. Steven Bussard 1. Darren Benoit 2. Gary Beroid 3. Noel Roe 4. Darren Benoit Fieldwood Dwayne Hebert 1. Christopher Boudreaux (Rooster) 2. Clay Burgeson (Black Elk) 3. James Gaspard (Dune) 4. Christopher Sanders (Black Elk) 5. Jake Theriot (WOG) Gregory Ardoin Arena Energy 1. Dakota Manuel 2. Michael Aguillard 3. Brett Snider 4. Josh Jones 5. Paul Stall Walter Oil & Gas Richard Brierre 1. Nicholas Hethrington 2. Gary Stewart 3. Ryan Stanley 4. Rodney Wheeler 5. Johnny Fortenberry 1. Kevin Lalonde (Century) 2. Don Champagne (ORB) 3. Keith Derouen (Energy) 4. Brad Robicheaux (Energy) 5. Oby Reynolds (Energy) Robert Furey Kim Istre 1. Shane Miller (Arena) 2. James Milliam (Saratoga) 3. Ricky Waltrip (WOG) 4. Howard Gardner (Arena) 5. Gary Henderson (WOG) 1. Clint Broussard (Matador) 2. Sam Hernandez (EP Energy) 3. Chris Dronet (Matador) Ricky Lirette Arena Energy Arena Energy 1. Jeremy Swanzy 2. Justin Powell 3. Rex Thibodeaux 4. Darrell Debate 5. Larry Courtney Cody Richard 1. Thaddeus Carmouche 2. Ted Thompson 3. Ronnie Fruge 4. Joseph White 5. Gabe Williams Gomex Joe Rodriguez Talisman 1. Ray Longoria Michael Holley Energy XXI 1. Michael Wooten 2. Kenwood Gary 3. Donovan Nelton 4. Danny Rayburn 5. Paul Anderman Jamin Meaux Walter Oil & Gas 1. Craig Martin 2. Sam Fluitt Richie Savoie Century 1. Ian Jordan 2. Jacob Nevills 3. Harvey Doga 4. Henry Jones Jerry Longino 1. Douglas Thole (Arena) 2. Roger Strackbein (Peregrine) 3. Sergio Sanchez (Peregrine) 4. Kerwin Cage (Peregrine) 5. Roger Strackbein (Enven) Island Operating Mission Statement Island Operating is committed to providing safe, compliant and efficient operations to our customers’ oil and gas assets and our employees’ well-being. We will accomplish this by adhering to our core values of honesty, trust, integrity and respect for our clients and one another. HONESTY TRUST INTEGRITY RESPECT Area 7: 1. Robert Wall www.islandoperating.com Islander Magazine 15 ZONE ZERO INCENTIVES Remember to check your portal often for points accrued. Get Ready for Cool Weather At Work and At Home Chill Out for Christmas At Work: Walls FR Insulated Bib Overall • Arc rating ATPV-37.5 cal/cm2 • HRC Level 3 • 10 oz. 88% cotton/12% Nylon Duck shell • 11 oz. FR Modacrylic insulation Quilted to FR twill lining • Elastic inserts at back waist for ease of movement • Snaps at leg hems for leg length adjustment • Adjustable suspenders w/elastic inserts • Two patch hip pockets • Two front swing pockets • Chest pocket w/pencil slot • Storage pocket on right back leg • Front zipper w/storm fly • One way ankle to thigh leg zippers w/unique pass thru construction • Outer shell fabric and exterior components are NFPA 2112 compliant ISLANDER’S 2014 CHRISTMAS GIFT Walls FR Insulated Coverall • Flame-resistant • Single needle diamond quilt • Two piece sleeves • Adjustable sleeve tabs on sleeves • Ruler and plier pockets on right back leg • Chest pockets w/welt pocket flap-concealed snap closure • Bi-swing two piece back • Two way front zipper w/storm fly • One way ankle to knee leg zippers w/side entry pass thru at waist and snap over fly • Elastic inserts at waist • Bartacks at stress points • Triple needle construction seams Relax this winter in your Island Operatingbranded Bulwark FR Polo shirt. It’s a lightweight alternative for chilly temperatures and it’s our gift to Islanders for your consistent professionalism and safe actions. Your supervisor will be handing out your Christmas gift in December. If you do not receive yours by January, please call the Incentives Department. Featured items are available in the Island Store. At Home: DRI DUCK Camo Jacket DRI DUCK’s signature work jacket is built for tough-as-nails guys who work hard and play harder. DRI DUCK engineered this best-seller based on your on-the-job needs. The Cheyenne features rugged work wear styling and relaxed comfort for mobility, no matter what the task. Shop the Island Company Store If the thought of stepping foot into a department store is enough to give you an anxiety attack, don’t worry. We have a solution that doesn’t involve any overwhelming mega-malls. UNIFORMS Employees are eligible for 2 sets of FRC uniforms every 6 months. We will not contact you to place your order! If you are eligible, please call Melissa Artigue or Brittany Cole in the Incentives Department at 337-233-9594 or 1-800-366-9594. SHOW YOUR ISLAND PRIDE All items stocked at the Island Incentives Office are featured in the category “Show Your Island Pride!” in the Island Store. 16 Islander Magazine Shop the Island Store by logging on to your portal. You’ll discover a fantastic selection of items that range from electronics to apparel. There’s something for everyone in your family – even yourself! For more information contact the Incentives Dept. at 337.233.9594 or 1.800.366.9594. www.islandoperating.com PAYROLL UPDATES Island Employee Referral Program Payroll, the Holiday Season, and Being Prepared We all know the holiday season is closing in and the Payroll Department began the preparation process in a timely manner. From one side of the country to the next, children are dreaming of holiday toys while their parents prepare for long lines, out of town visitors, and plenty of time in the kitchen. Here at Island, employees in the Payroll Department started early in preparing for the holiday season to help make holiday dreams come true. After examining the activity from past years, it is imperative that we remind Islanders to assist Payroll by turning in time tickets early. We all want to ensure that employees receive their paychecks at the designated times. After all, no one wants to be considered a grinch this time of the year. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY The office will be closed Wednesday, December 24th, and Thursday, December 25th. We are asking for your support in turning your time ticket in early. Please have your time ticket in the Lafayette Office by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 18th. Payday is December 26th; checks and direct deposits will go out as normal. NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY The office will be closed Wednesday, December 31st, and Thursday, January 1st. Any checks and all direct deposits for the January 9, 2015 payroll will go out as normal. The knowledgeable employees of the Payroll Department are ready to help you by answering any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact them. Island is currently looking for experienced operators. A referral bonus is given to any employee who refers an experienced production operator to Island Operating Company. The referred operator must list the employee as the referrer on their employment application and complete 60 days of employment in order for the referrer to receive the bonus. Contact your Island Supervisor for details. Credit Union Membership Benefit #1: Credit unions typically pay higher yields on savings and certificates compared to commercial banks. Island Operating is a member of Acadiana Federal Credit Union and Advancial Federal Credit Union. For more information, or to find out how you and your family can become members of these Credit Unions, please contact the Payroll Department. Payroll Contacts: April Shelton Chrissy Broussard Kara Melancon Lauren Rowlan Olivia Daigle Access the Islander Newsletter on the Island Portal! www.islandoperating.com Equal Employment Opportunity Policy For more information contact the Payroll Dept. at 337.233.9594. www.islandoperating.com As Islanders, we are committed to the care of our clients’ assets through quality of service, knowledge of regulatory compliance, and our ZONE Zero safety mindset. We honor and reward our employees through various incentives and programs throughout the year, as well as providing support 24/7. We value our employees and we show it! Island Operating Company, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of age, race, creed, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic prohibited by law. Our Management is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this policy with respect to hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and general treatment during employment. We expect everyone to show understanding and consideration to fellow employees and to respect and observe this policy. YOU CAN ACCESS ALL OF ISLAND’S POLICIES ON THE ISLAND PORTAL. Islander Magazine 17 AROUND THE OFFICE NEW ARRIVALS JUST MARRIED GET WELL SOON Congratulations to the following employees on welcoming their new bundle of joy. Best wishes to the following employees on their recent marriages. We wish the following employees a healthy recovery. Chad and Anna Gerald welcomed Katherine Gayle on 7/10/14 Dexter and Hannah Smith welcomed Breyson Witt on 7/24/14 Troy and Kristy Durio welcomed Avery Elise on 8/25/14 Jarred and Katelyn Douget welcomed Linda Shyanne on 8/30/14 Drake and Denee Baudoin welcomed Pasleigh Michelle on 9/29/14 Jason and Christina Mitchell welcomed Paisley Faith on 9/29/14 Donovan and Amelyn Nelton welcomed Zoey Cecile on 10/4/14 Terrence and Marina LeDoux welcomed Brenah Raine on 10/7/14 Gregory & Melissa Gardner 8/2/14 Justin & Megan Forrester 8/2/14 Joseph & Heather Key 9/22/14 Trenton Summers Dalton Russell Christopher Marshall John C. Fontenot Kevin L. Leblanc Anthony Landreneau David Trigg, Jr. CONDOLENCES Justin Gillespie on the loss of his mother Tyler Williams Philips on the loss of his father Wayne Cormier (Fieldwood) on the loss of his father Energy Joseph Guidry Sequitur Energy Daniel Green RETIRING Thank you for your many of years of service. Norris Lemaire James Phipps 18 Islander Magazine We Can’t Thank You Enough! 15YRS We thank the following employees for their many years of dedication. 10 YRS 15 YEARS October Robert Blanchard October Congratulations to the following former Islander who has been hired by a customer. SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES 5 YEARS 20 YEARS HIRED ON 25 YRS 20 YRS 5 YRS We extend our condolences to the following employees and their families for their loss. Mervyn Bridges Randall Smith Jack Calloway Donald Broussard Timothy Cranston Kenneth Tucker Roderick Laseter Michael Kibodeaux James Smith James Gaspard November Patrick Hebert Richard Brierre November Melissa Artigue Ricky Lirette Robert Belaire December Dalton Lacombe Chad Belaire 10 YEARS November Clay Williams Niki Scott Raymond Estelle December Roger Curol Peter Guidry Marcelle Stewart Ricky Long William Sullivan Joh Dean October Kortney Guillory Charles McCartney Thomas Hutson Kedrick Norris Glen Lloyd Tommy Morgan November Steve Rogers Wade Lecompte William Bonds Charles Lassus Lloyd Knight Christopher Broussard Christopher Sanroman Patrick Melancon Joshua Bordelon Shelton Langley Anson Zapata December Ronald Fruge Gregory Tyler www.islandoperating.com DISPATCHES: News from the people who keep the company running smoothly. DELL Annual Conference Island’s IT Manager, Leo Malacaman, attended Dell’s fourth Annual Analyst Conference, held in Austin, Texas. The event featured a series of impactful and open conversations between Dell executives, customers, partners and analysts. 3rd Annual Stone Energy Gumbo Cookoff to Benefit United Way of Acadiana There’s no better way to kick off gumbo season than with a gumbo cookoff! Representing Island at the annual Stone Energy/United Way Gumbo Cookoff were Rod Laseter, Ria Laseter, Laura Meaux, and Deany Smith. Hundreds of people stopped by our tent to taste the delicious seafood gumbo prepared by our crew and to register to win a Pelican Ice Chest. Island is proud to be a part of this event. This year’s cookoff was a resounding success with over $260,000 raised for United Way of Acadiana. American Cancer Society Golf Tournament Islanders Richie Savoie, Lena Hebert, and Gary Tucker enjoyed a great day on the links at the American Cancer Society golf tournament. They seized the opportunity to support cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient service programs in the name of our own Melissa Artigue, who is fighting breast cancer. Melissa, Island’s got your back! Community Participation There have been numerous organizations that Island Operating has donated time, money, and energy to, and the Houston Police Department is one that commands enormous gratitude and respect. Jo Lynn and Gregg Falgout proudly support the Houston Police Department and its men and women in blue who serve and protect the great city of Houston. The American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 and is dedicated to saving lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and fighting back. www.islandoperating.com Islander Magazine 19 Guide to Your Guide to Your Explanation of Benefits Explanation of Benefits Guide to Your FOR YOUR BENEFIT See how your benefits are working for you with this easy-to-understand document that shows you the costs associated with Explanation of Benefits See how your benefits are working for youreceived. with this easy-to-understand document that shows you the costs associated with the medical care you’ve the medical care you’ve received. See how your benefits working for you with benefits this easy-to-understand document that shows you the health care Whenare a claim is filed under your CIGNA plan, you get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Because we know a claim iswith filed under your CIGNA benefits plan,simplified you get an of Benefits (EOB).the Because we know health care about the claim. costsWhen associated the medical care you’ve received. When a and claim is filed under CIGNA benefits expenses can be confusing, we've theExplanation language summarized mostyour important information confusing, we've language and summarized most important information about the claim. plan, expenses you getcan anbeExplanation ofsimplified Benefitsthe(EOB). Because healththe care expenses can be confusing, CIGNA has simplified the language and summarized the most important information about the claim. Page 1 Page 1 The Summary page gives an The Summary page gives anof how your benefits are overview overview of how your benefits are – quickly see what working for you working for you – quickly see whatwhat's been paid, was submitted, was submitted, what's been you paid,owe. and what and what you owe. Date of service and health care are both listed for Date of service and healthprofessional care easier professional are both listed for reference. easier reference. If your health accounts paid part of your If your health accounts paid partexpenses, you'll see what's beenwhat's paid and remaining balances. of your expenses, you'll see been paid and remaining balances. The amount you owe does not reflect The amount you owe does not any amount you may have already reflect any amount you may havepaid. already paid. This reflects the total value of your planof –your the amount you saved by This reflects the total value visitingbyan in-network health care plan – the amount you saved professional visiting an in-network health care or facility, and the amount professional or facility, and the paid by your plan. amount paid by your plan. 832700 10/09 832700 10/09 20 Islander Magazine You can find out more information about benefits by contacting Ashley Wright, Nicole Trahan or Tammy Broussard by phone or via e-mail to benefits@islandoperating.com For more information contact the Benefits Dept. at 337.233.9594. www.islandoperating.com How to Stop a Stroke from Starting 7 Not every stroke is preventable but there are some known preventable risk factors that can be modified with lifestyle habits. It is helpful to know some of the controllable causes of stroke and to learn how to control them. habits 1. Lower high blood pressure Hypertension is chronic high blood pressure. It raises the risk of stroke and to prevent it also contributes to the development of a stroke heart disease and cerebrovascular disease – two well-known stroke risk factors. The first step in effective management of hypertension requires diagnosis through regular blood pressure screenings. Treatment of hypertension can include a diet low in salt, weight management, regular exercise or stress control. Sometimes medication to lower blood pressure is required. Your doctor can advise you on the best approaches for you when it comes to maintaining a normal blood pressure. 2. Control heart disease Heart disease can be present at birth or it may occur later in life due to hereditary. Heart disease can develop a result of hypertension, obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol. Heart disease can include coronary artery disease (disease of the blood vessels that supply the heart), heart valve problems, heart muscle problems, an enlarged heart or an irregular heartbeat. There are many effective ways to diagnose and treat heart disease, depending on the cause. As with hypertension, the best approach is to have regular check ups with your doctor to detect problems early before they progress. 3. Lower high cholesterol High cholesterol contributes to heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. It is usually the result of a diet high in unhealthy kinds of fat. Lowering cholesterol requires a diet with moderate fat intake, moderate exercise and sometimes medication. 4. Control diabetes Diabetes can contribute to cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. Diabetes is a disorder of blood sugar metabolism. Diabetes may be inborn or acquired. People with type 1 diabetes require close management of blood sugar levels, usually with insulin treatment. People with type 2 diabetes require management of food intake, weight management and sometimes medication to maintain desirable levels of blood sugar. 5. Manage obesity Obesity is also a risk factor for stroke. It can contribute to hypertension and high cholesterol. Obesity is often managed by diet and exercise. Sometimes, weight loss supplements or surgical procedures for weight loss can help when it is difficult to lose weight with diet and exercise alone. Genetics play a role in obesity as some people are more predisposed to being overweight than others, making weight loss a bigger challenge. www.islandoperating.com 6. Stop smoking Smoking contributes to heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and hypertension. Smoking can be a difficult habit to break. Different approaches, including behavioral control, counseling, support groups, nicotine patches and smoking cessation programs can be used to help quit smoking. Research shows that many of the harmful effects of smoking can be reversed over time when smoking is discontinued. Often, smoking cessation is more successful when guided by a trained health care professional. 7. Manage stress Stress can contribute to stroke risk by contributing to hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and cerebrovascular disease. Management of stress and anxiety often involves a comprehensive approach to behavior and emotional responses. Stress is not objectively measurable and requires a long term approach for optimal control. Other less common causes of stroke may be more complex such as autoimmune disease and blood clotting disorders. These medical problems require long-term close medical management by a physician. Insurance Open Enrollment Reminder Effective for: Health, Dental, Vision, Voluntary Life and Critical Illness Coverage If you have a change, you must contact the Insurance Department and we will walk you through the process. This is the only way that changes can be made. Throughout the year you are able to make changes to your plan only if you have a qualifying event. Listed below are the qualifying events and the documents needed to make changes. Qualifying Event* Documents needed Marriage Copy of Marriage Certificate Adoption Copy of court adoption documents Gain in coverage (self, spouse or dependent) Letter on company letterhead with date of eligibility Loss in coverage Letter on company letterhead with date of coverage termination Entitlement to Medicare/Medicaid Letter of entitlement from Medicare/Medicaid Birth Copy of record of birth and social security card when obtained (Do not have to have social to enroll) Divorce/legal separation Copy of divorce decree or separation paperwork signed by judge *All qualifying events must be made within 30 days of the date of the event. Please contact the Insurance Department if you have any questions. Islander Magazine 21 MONEY MATTERS Reasons to think twice about 401(k) loans 5 reasons to be cautious about 401(k) loans. Loans diminish the tax advantages of saving in a 401(k). A loan from your retirement plan may be convenient now, but can be costly later. When you’re in a pinch and need money, it can be tempting to consider borrowing from your 401(k) plan. After all, the money is yours (provided it’s already vested), and when you pay it back, you’re paying yourself back. Although it may seem harmless, borrowing from your 401(k) can have negative consequences and a lasting impact on your future retirement savings. Many don’t save at the same rate on their 401(k) after taking out a loan. If you’re borrowing to buy a home, the impact may be greater. 401(k) loans can lead to even more borrowing. If you leave your job, you must repay in 60 days or face tax consequences. Here are five reasons to think twice before borrowing from your retirement plan: 1. Many don’t continue to save at the same rate on their 401(k) after taking out a loan. 3. If you’re borrowing to buy a home, the impact may be greater. Taking a loan may affect how much you can afford to contribute to your retirement plan. Paying back what you borrowed may leave you with less money to contribute. These loans can have an outsized impact on your financial future. At $23,500, the average home loan is two-and-a-half times larger than the average 401(k) loan. In a Fidelity study of 401(k) loans taken from 2007 to 2013, 24% of the borrowers decreased their savings rate in the first year after a loan was taken, including 9% who stopped making contributions altogether. The effects of reducing or stopping your 401(k) deferrals can be detrimental to your retirement savings. For example, consider two employees, age 25, who each earn $50,000 and defer 10% annually in a traditional 401(k). That’s problematic for a few reasons: • 401(k) home loan borrowers typically pay back the debt over periods of 10 years. That’s a long time to miss out on the growth of the loan amount. • For some people, it’s hard to get back on track to saving for retirement—not to mention paying off student loans, credit card balances, and other debts—so they wind up reducing their retirement contributions. • Many investors who take out home loans aren’t saving enough to begin with. Fidelity suggests saving at least the equivalent of your annual salary in your 401(k) by the time you’re 35. The first employee takes a 401(k) loan and maintains his deferrals until retirement and beyond. At retirement, his 401(k) balance is $537,000. We estimate that amount can provide about $2,650 in monthly retirement income. The second employee also takes a 401(k) loan, but instead of keeping up his contribution rate, he reduces his deferrals to nothing for 10 years and then resumes his original savings rate. His plan balance at retirement is $396,000 – producing an estimated monthly income of $1,960, or $690 less per month than the employee who kept up with his contributions. 2. Loans diminish the tax advantages of saving in a traditional 401(k). When you take a loan from a traditional 401(k), you may have a negative impact on the tax deferral benefits. Here’s how: • You lose any tax-deferred growth the borrowed funds would have generated in the plan. • You repay your 401(k) loan with after-tax dollars. And then you’ll have to pay taxes on those funds again, when you withdraw them at retirement. • Your pretax plan contributions lower your tax bill; if you reduce them, you may face higher taxes for the year. 4. 401(k) loans can lead to serial borrowing. Your first 401(k) loan can be like a gateway loan that leads to habitual borrowing from your retirement account. There is also a correlation between loans and hardship withdrawals: The more loans a participant takes, the more apt he or she is to take a hardship withdrawal as well (although once again, it isn’t always the case that loans are the direct cause of hardship withdrawals). 5.You’ll have to repay the loan quickly if you leave your job for any reason. You typically have to repay any outstanding balance on your 401(k) loan within 60 days when you separate from the company that offers the retirement plan. If you plan to take a loan from your retirement plan, you’ll want to consider how long you plan to remain at your job, and whether that timeline fits with the duration of the loan. Be especially wary of borrowing from your plan if you think you could be laid off or fired. If you need any assistance with your 401(k), please contact Layla Primeaux or Tammy Broussard at 337.233.9594. To learn more information on Island’s Fund Performance, visit NetBenefits.com 22 Islander Magazine www.islandoperating.com Download Island’s Mobile App If you have an iPhone or iPad, go to the App Store on your device and download our Island Operating Mobile App (Version 1.4.2). The minimum requirements and specific instructions can be found on your Island portal. The Island Mobile App gives employees the ability to stay up-to-date with the latest company news and provides an open line of communication to people within the organization. Fun Mobile/App Facts 83% 90% of text messages are read within 3 minutes of being delivered. of all smartphone owners have used their phone as a flashlight. 91% 110x a day of all adults have their mobile phone within arm’s reach every hour of every day. is the number of times the average smartphone user checks their phone. 40 years Navigate since the world’s first mobile phone call successfully took place. around the country using your smartphone. More Fun Facts: • • • • • • Stay Connected on Your Mobile Device Get your Island Operating Email directly on your mobile device. Log on to your employee portal and follow the easy guidelines on setting up email on your Android or iPhone. www.islandoperating.com • • • • • Current smartphones are more powerful than computers that put man on the moon. You can turn your mobile internet in to a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can roam around with a virtual wallet and pay your stuff online and even lock your money for security. You can start your car via your smartphone, even control and locate your car with the help of a smartphone. If something is stolen or a crime has occurred, you can easily catch the criminal with the help of your smartphone as they can take pictures of thief, set alarms, and help you get your phone back via various apps. You can easily turn you smartphone into a simple wireless keyboard for your laptop or personal computer and even it can be converted into mouse. Your phone can help you make a fake call that lets you easily get away from talking to someone you shouldn’t or you don’t wish to. Some of the apps in your smartphones make you avoid drinking and driving and save you from rash driving. You can easily move your data and sync it with your other devices such as computer or laptops. There are various flash light apps in your smartphone that will help you as torch when there no electricity or the street lamps go off. You can use your smartphone as a TV remote by downloading the app from your TV manufacturer. Islander Magazine 23 Prsrt Std US Postage PAID Permit #352 Lafayette, LA P.O. Box 61850 Lafayette, LA 70596 Follow us on these social media sites: :