Fabrication Manager Rod Nieser will never forget August 14, 2024. “I wasn’t expecting anything,” he said. “I really appreciate what they did for us.” Monte presented 14 current and one former employee—all of whom have worked for MPW and/or Porta Kleen for at least 35 years—each with a check for $10,000.
All 15 recipients were invited to the Florida Conference Room August 14 for a luncheon meeting, but they were not told why. There, they were greeted by Monte and presidents Jared and Adam Black. Monte told the long-term employees how much he appreciated their hard work and dedication, and that they’re all extremely deserving of the bonuses.
Monte said that MPW has always been a company that is constantly driving forward. The 35 year-plus employees have shared in that drive since the 1980s, doing whatever it took to get us to where we are today. These quality, dedicated employees have played a big part in MPW’s success.
“There were always challenges, and there will always be challenges in the future,” Monte said. “But when people with the skills and commitment of our long-term employees work together to meet those challenges, it doesn’t seem like a job. The fun is in the equation!”
MPW President Jared Black said it was great to be part of such a special event and to be around so many of the great people who helped to build the company, as well as improve and maintain its culture over the years. “It was just a fantastic day,” he said.
Jared Black added that the 35 year-plus group members have been excellent mentors, both for leadership—including himself—and for all the employees who were hired after them. “I really appreciate all the dedication they’ve shown,” he said.
Porta Kleen President Adam Black was honored to be part of the celebration. “Everyone in that room helped shape and grow our company over decades,” he said, adding that neither MPW nor Porta Kleen would be the successes they are today without their contributions.
“The sacrifice and commitment that they’ve shown this company all these years will never be forgotten and will always be very much appreciated,” Adam Black said.
Especially in a family-owned business with family values, employees deserve to be rewarded as they reach milestones in their careers, such as the Rolex watches MPW presents to all 25-year employees. “Most organizations don’t do that,” Monte said, adding that bonuses validate employees’ contributions to the company.
In addition to Neiser, the check receivers included Mike McGonagle, Dave Brown, Curt Ruff, Anthony Donnadio, Brenton Hamilton, Robert Goodrich, Gilbert “Gibby” Smith, Patricia Mason, Vanessa Treadway, Lonnie Brown, George McNerney, David Sayre, Tim Swingle and Sam Hawkins.
“It shows they care about the long hours and hard work we’ve dedicated to MPW over the years,” Neiser said. “It was a very exciting moment! I thank Monte, Jared, Adam and Kristen!”
Donnadio was similarly blindsided. “It was a very unexpected and welcomed surprise!” said the Director of Continuous Improvement, adding that the generous bonus is meaningful to him. “This gesture shows that upper management remembers its original roots and took the time out and spent the money to prove it,” he said.
McGonagle enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces in one gathering. “The amount of the check, I think, caught us all by surprise,” said the Project Manager. He believes the bonus sent a message to all employees that working hard and staying the course will be rewarded.
As Human Resources Administrations Manager, Treadway was amazed and impressed that the luncheon and presentation were created without her knowledge. “When information is needed about employees, I am the ‘go to’ person,” she said. “I somewhat knew that the meeting involved a luncheon with the 35-year club, but I was very unaware of the check.”
Receiving such a gift, Treadway was at a loss for words for how surprised she was. “I am very honored to be a part of such a wonderful company that appreciates the dedication of their employees,” she said.
Sayre admits it was an emotional day for him. “I wasn’t expecting anything like that,” he said. “I really didn’t know what to say.”
Today, Sayre is Porta Kleen’s Director of Maintenance, but he remembers a very different company culture when he joined MPW 36 years ago. “It was all for one and one for all,” he said, meaning that the company was much smaller then and everyone—including Monte, who was on the job site working just as hard or harder than anyone else—did whatever job needed to be done, regardless of their titles.
“I’ll never forget my first experience working with Monte, and seeing what a driven, energetic person he is,” Sayre said. “I remember a lot of good times with everybody. These people have seen it all.”