Spring 1979

Soulé Steel News

*"WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"*

VOLUME 8 — FALL 1978/SPRING 1979 ISSUE — NUMBER 1

"THE NEW LOOK OF YOUR PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT"

New faces and new places . . . and some familiar faces, too . . . that is your Personnel Department. In order to meet the growth that is in Southern California, Soulé has decided to centralize it's Personnel Department there, and in early 1979, all the records previously kept in San Francisco and Walnut Creek were moved to Carson.

In late 1978, JOHN BRADSHER was hired as our new Director of Employee Relations. John brings many years of extensive experience to Soulé, having been active in personnel administration, industrial relations, group insurance services, and other areas of employee relations. Since joining Soulé, John has been very active in reviewing our existing procedures and putting into action new plans that will have a beneficial result for all of us. John says "Our people are our most valuable resource, and it makes good sense for our department to help them in whatever ways we can."

But it takes more than a Director of Employee Relations to make a department . . . and in John's department, all employees are important. Here's who they are and what they do for you:

JERRY RANDOLPH, who has been with Soulé since 1973, is the Employee Relations Manager. Jerry is the company's number one labor relations specialist, directing the Company's relationships with our employees who are represented by labor unions and negotiating and settling grievances with the number of bargaining units with which the Company has contracts . . . duties which occupy most of Jerry's time.

TERRI OLESH, Employee Relations Representative at the Los Angeles plant, deals daily with a diversity of problems involved in maintaining service to Soulé's employees and hiring new employees to fill new openings. Terri also maintains personnel files, prepares Changes of Status and seniority lists and computes group insurance premiums.

STERLING PENNINGTON, located at Carson, handles problems of service to our employees, employment interviewing and a wide variety of other employee relations activities, including Soulé's Equal Employment Opportunity Program.

JOHN ROGACHENKO very capably handles one of the most important programs at Soulé—the Safety Program. John has a wealth of knowledge acquired in years of experience in this critical specialty of Employee Relations. John's vigilance and attention to the

PAGE 2 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — FALL 1978/SPRING 1979

personnel safety needs of all of our Company locations is essential to the maintenance of the health, welfare and safety of all Soulé employees.

DIANE SLEDGE & RICK KIMBALL

In addition to providing first aid and follow-up treatment of industrial injuries and handling Workman's Compensation matters, both DIANE and RICK process all group insurance claims for everyone in the corporation.

Everyone knows BARBARA BURNHAM, Employee Relations Secretary at the Carson plant. Barbara pleasantly goes about the important task of receiving and answering literally hundreds of questions about Employee Relations matters which arise in the daily operation of that facility. She also handles the Change of Status forms for the entire Company, controlling them so the Personnel Department knows exactly what their status and location is at any given time.

Rounding out the staff and working with Mr. Bradsher in the new centralized Employee Relations function is DARLEEN HUCKINS, recently promoted to Staff Assistant-Personnel. Darleen has been with Soulé for thirteen years and most recently was secretary to Bob Gebauer in the Reinforcing Division.

"The conduct of business today is so complex that the PEOPLE side of the business often has been relegated to the "back burner" in many companies, with all of the Employee Relations Department staff busily filling out government forms and doing everything except getting out with their fellow employees and perceiving what their needs are and then following up with prudent, economically sound solutions to those problems. Our people are entitled to the same care we give an expensive piece of equipment!!!

"The role of the truly effective personnel function is to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and compensated in relation to the value of their contribution to the overall achievement of the Company's objectives.

"I feel strongly that just as our personnel have placed their futures in our hands, so has the Company placed its future in the hands of our personnel, and so we need to get on well together, since we really are all working as a team toward a common goal."

*John Bradsher*

JIM SOULÉ (Reinforcing/Newark) is the new Chairman of the Central Division Promotional and Engineering Practices Committee of the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) . . . Congratulations, Jim!!!

REMINDER

You have probably noticed that paychecks issued since the first of the year have shown a higher deduction for Social Security (FICA) than in 1978. This is the result of an increase in the Social Security rate from 6.05% of the first $17,700 of earnings in 1978 to 6.13% of the first $22,900 in 1979.

This increase in the rate and the maximum earnings base on which the deduction is made applies to both your and the Company's contributions to Social Security. Accordingly, the deduction is 6.13% of your earnings, matched by another 6.13% from the Company contributions, on all earnings up to $22,900.

For an employee whose earnings are $22,900 in 1979, the employee and the company will pay $1,403.77 each, or a total of $2,807.54 in Social Security Taxes.

FALL 1978/SPRING 1979 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — PAGE 3

ORGANIZATION MOVES

LOWELL CARSTENSEN

On December 11th, Lowell was appointed to the new position of Vice President Operations/Planning. This position will include long range planning, which Lowell has been performing for the past two years, and his new functions will include close liason with all divisions of Soulé.

Lowell has been with Soulé Steel Company since 1972 and has over 27 years in the building industry.

ROSALIE KOTCH

Rosalie has been appointed Administrative Supervisor, Domestic Operations, for the Soulé Buildings Division, and is headquartered in the Los Angeles office, assisting the General Manager and General Sales Manager.

She'll be very busy . . . updating policies and procedures, learning how to plan and coordinate the several meetings each year that the Buildings Division holds, and initiating a Communications Team.

BUD PUTNAM

Bud was recently promoted to Sales Service for our Temp Con Products in the San Francisco office.

Bud has been with Soulé for many years, and has worked with Commodity Products, Sales Pivot Desk, and Soulé Buildings Division in the customer service department and as an estimator. Bud is also a member of our "Club 25" having been with Soulé for over 30 years—since 1948!!!

EMPLOYEE IN ACTION!!!

GARY HOEHN (Carson/Mill) stopped at the scene of a motorcycle accident on the way to work on February 6, gave assistance to the injured man, then transported him to a medical clinic. In this time of general indifference, and not wanting to "get involved," it's nice to know there are still people like Gary around . . . Thanks, Gary, for being special!!!

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!

People are still heading westward these days . . . west to California. But instead of gold, they're coming to Soulé—Gene Hopcus from New Mexico, Don Davis from Illinois, and Steve Illencik from Ohio. More about these new Californians in the next issue of Soulé News!

*Photo: [Christmas stage backdrop reading "PASKO ZAMIL STEEL BLDGS. — SOULE CO. LTD. 1978 — We wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year"]*

DOES THAT REALLY SAY PASKO?

No, our competitor Pascoe Steel Corporation is not infiltrating our Zamil-Soulé facilities . . . it seems "Pasko" means Christmas in Philippino.

PAGE 4 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — FALL 1978/SPRING 1979

WELCOME NEWCOMERS

"ALOHA" . . . MEANS GOODBYE AND HELLO!!!

"ALOHA (Goodbye)"

"For several years, I have enjoyed communicating with you through the pages of the Soulé News.

"Increased responsibilities in another area now require so much time, I feel I can no longer give you my best efforts, so I have resigned as Editor.

"The new year is always a good time for a fresh start. Your new Editor, Jeanne Pottle, brings enthusiasm and new ideas for the coming issues.

"My sincere thanks to everyone at Soulé for past cooperation, and best wishes for 1979!"

*Betty Trailer*

"ALOHA (Hello)"

"Seems like I always get to try to fill some great big shoes when I take on a new job, and trying to do a comparable job on the Soulé News will sure be a great challenge because Betty did such a wonderful job as your Editor.

"But . . . one step at a time, and this is the start of a long (I hope!) journey as your new editor.

"Seriously, it is such a pleasure to work with the people here at Soulé, and in case you didn't know it, your Assistant Editors really write your paper, I just 'blue line' it and sort of arrange it, and cross my fingers. So, if you like your Soulé News, let both your Assistant Editors and me know (I'm in the Walnut Creek Office)."

*Jeanne Pottle*

*Photo: RICHARD WILDE, Steel Mill*

*Photo: CARMEN CASTAGNOLI, SF Mail Room*

*Photo: RUTH JONES, Steel Mill Products*

*Photo: KEVIN GANNON, Carson Accounting*

*Photo: WILLIAM PEGRAM, Steel Mill Products*

*Photo: SANDY LEWIS, WC Admin.*

*Photo: SERGIO LAZATIN, Jr. Detailer, LA*

*Photo: CHARLENE ALEXANDER, Carson Accounting*

*Photo: LINDA LAMOTHE, Carson Accounting*

*Photo: HOWARD WILLIAMS, Carson Accounting*

*Photo: MARK WATERS, SF Computer Operator*

*Photo: PAMELA FLATT, Newark Order Clerk/Tag Writer*

*Photo: VLADIMIR AMCHISLAVSKY, Jr. Detailer, LA*

FALL 1978/SPRING 1979 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — PAGE 5

STEELING ATTENTION

TRAVELIN' AROUND . . .

Ken and Jean Hopper (Reinf/Newark) have filled not one, but two scrapbooks with pictures and menus from their recent Caribbean cruise on the liner NORDIC. Ken is suffering from the usual problem after a vacation like that—trying to lose some of those inches and pounds that all that delicious food tends to add!

Esther Longnecker (Reinf/San Diego) was part of a double celebration—Christmas and her retirement after 27 years with Soulé. Esther and her husband began the new year with a trip around the USA, and then they're taking a cruise through the Caribbean and ports of South America . . . and their travels will keep them on the go until around June of 1979.

Christmas found many of our employees travelling and entertaining relatives . . . such as Sterling Pennington (ER/Carson) who went to Illinois where the rest of his family resides (Sterling still prefers California, he says!) . . . Dorothy Corrao (Maint & Rec/Mill) went to Smithtown, Long Island, New York for ten days . . . Jerry Randolph (ER/Carson) took his daughters skiing for a week to Colorado Springs (and says they really caught the skiing bug!)

BUT CHRISTMAS IS MORE THAN PRESENTS AND A TREE . . .

. . . it is the warmth of helping and sharing and caring . . . and once again, Carson employees "adopted" a needy family in the Carson area and provided groceries and clothing for a family of ten children and their parents. Thru contributions of $464, the true meaning of Christmas became a reality to this family . . . that so many others could care enough to open their hearts and share a part of their Christmas with them was overwhelming.

October 1978 was a busy month for Kathe Smith (ER/Walnut Creek), as she became the bride of Verne Freer (Bldgs/SF). Kathe's Walnut Creek co-workers surprised her with not just one, but two cakes . . . one to eat, and the other made from wax as a keepsake (the wax cake was a two tier replica of a wedding cake made by Jeanne Pottle).

*Photo: [Kathe with cake at her surprise party]*

Then in December, Verne and Kathe's friends gathered at Yolanda's in San Francisco for a surprise farewell party for Verne, and two weeks later, Walnut Creek bid a fond farewell to Kathe.

SUGAR 'N' SPICE . . .

September 1st was the date that Ruben Ramierz (Machine Shop/LA) became the proud father of his first son, Ruben Ramierz, Jr., who weighed a whopping 9 lbs. 1 oz.!!!

Another first . . . this time a grandchild on December 18th for Tom Rountree (Steel Mill Products/Carson) daughter, Ronda Corral, who gave birth to Steven Thomas Corral . . . and Dick Marsellos (Bldgs&LA) daughter Vikki Damrel and her husband Rick became the proud parents of Austin Lamar Damrel on January 4th.

Scott Anderson and all Soulé employees did an excellent job with the United Way campaign for the SF, Newark and WC offices . . . the per donor average was over $100 and total employee contributions were over $4500. . . . an increase over last year . . . Soulé employees CARE!!!

PAGE 6 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — FALL 1978/SPRING 1979

AROUND AND ABOUT . . .

The SAN FRANCISCO office may not have too many people around these days, but they are busy and active . . . RALPH GARCIA's (SF/Acctg) son has made All League All American at his school, and we know Ralph is one proud papa!!! . . . GEORGE FORD (SF/Bldgs) has been elected to the MBMA Executive Committee . . . KEN THOMAS (SF/Print Shop Supervisor) was recently surprised by the Acctg. Dept. with a delicious cake for his birthday (how many? 39 you say???) . . . SCOTT ANDERSON (SF/Post Tensioning) recently spent two days as a Naval League visitor on the Kitty Hawk . . . and PAULINE WALLEN's (SF/Post Tensioning) daughter, Terri, has been selected as a Republican State Central Committee Delegate . . .!!!

PHOENIX has something to be proud of too . . . the John J. Rhodes Jr. High School, for which Soulé furnished and placed the rebar, recently won the 1978 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects, PLUS the 1978 Outstanding Concrete Structure of the American Concrete Institute . . . we're proud to be part of such an outstanding building!!!

WALNUT CREEK is settling into their new routine, busy with visitors from both inside and outside the Company, and birthdays are actually looked forward to because there's always a delicious cake!!!

SOULÉ'S STEEL MILL IN THE NEWS . . .

Both Iron Age and American Metal Market publications recently had an article about our new method of utilizing heat from newly-formed ingots, billets and molds at our Carson Mill.

This process is being tested as a potential energy source, and following the initial testing, Sandy Soulé reported that "a full utilization of Preheater's capacities should result in a total fuel savings of close to 20%." During the testing, the Preheater also resulted in increased furnace efficiency at higher temperatures, and reductions in both man power and high maintenance equipment.

CARSON's employees are keeping as busy . . . MAY TAYLOR (Carson/Acctg) dances with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and on November 29th they performed for a celebration of St. Andrew's Day (he's Scotland's Patron Saint) . . . KEVIN GANNON (Carson/Acctg) recently won his first bowling title, even though he's so busy being one of our accountants he has only been able to make twenty appearances on the national tour of the Professional Bowlers Assn. . . . ANTONIO RAMERIZ (Carson/Mill) competed with over 4,800 participants in the November 28th Anaheim Marathon Race, which is 6½ miles long, and though he may be 48 years old, he ran it in 41 minutes, and 30 seconds. Antonio plans on running in the San Clemente Run on February 24th also . . . ERNIE EARL (Carson/Mill) is the American representative to the World Skiing Federation, and in November 1978 went to Sidney, Australia with the U.S. team to compete in the World Water Ski Racing Championship Meet . . . Ernie was the only American skier to complete the 68-mile run down the Hoxberry River, and averaged 58 miles per hour (no 55 mph speed limit on the water!!!).

*Photo: [Antonio Rameriz running in the Anaheim Marathon Race]*

*Photo: [Ernie Earl water skiing]*

You've heard of "JAWS I" and JAWS II?" Seems like those waters down in Mazatlan, Mexico are pretty lucky for Phoenix's BILL LUCAS. Back in the Winter 1974 Soulé News, we showed you a picture . . . . . . . . . where Bill and his friends caught 2 ten-foot sailfish, 6 dolphin and 9 yellow tail tuna. Bill has now graduated to the big stuff—a 10-foot, 3-inch, 112-pound sailfish, and he's having it mounted for posterity. Congratulations, Bill!!! What are you going to catch next year to top this???

(SEE PHOTO NEXT PAGE)

FALL 1978/SPRING 1979 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — PAGE 7

*Photo: BILL LUCAS*

DEALER SALES MEETING, EMERYVILLE

December 6th and 7th were busy days for 28 members of our Soulé Buildings Division, as they met in Emeryville for a Sales Meeting.

Bill Phillips acted as Master of Ceremonies, and Lowell Carstensen and Lee Soulé attended the meeting as guest speakers on days one and two. Lowell reported on Soulé's position in the metal building industry, areas of potential growth and a brief history of our performace over the past few years. Lee Soulé gave a brief talk on our prospects for 1979, and his talk was followed by the outlook for dealer sales given by Bill Phillips, Howard Rumrey, and Al Hotard.

Lee Stockon and Chuck Utley (representing our advertising company) gave a preview of 1979's program, and rrviewed the 1978 advertising program.

Each of the District Managers presented their plans for 1979, and staff reports were given by Don Moore, Gene Fuller, Jerry Orrison, Dale Cluse, Lee Keller and Jack Dressen.

Dick Marsellos concluded the meeting with a discussion on Long Range Planning, and announced that Bob Weyand would assume reponsibility for developing Sales to National Accounts, John Crowhurst would be Dealer Sales Manager, and Rosalie Kotch would be transferring to Los Angeles as Administrative Supervisor, Domestic Operations.

It was a full two days, but informative and enjoyed by all attending.

REINFORCING DIVISION DISTRICT SALES MANAGER'S MEETING

On January 24th, 25th and 26th, the Reinforcing Division's District Sales Managers met at the Concord Inn, Concord, California, at which time district budgets were reviewed, Lowell Carstensen presented the "Management By Objective" program, Scott Anderson presented a program on the field costing of post-tensioned labor in building construction as coordinated with rebar, Glen Gross presented "Mill Scheduling—the necessity and methods," Dick Lewis presented "District Manager Visibility—field and shop," and Bob Gebauer stressed the importance of closeout scheduling.

Don Watkins and Ralph Garcia, of the Finance Department, gave a short talk on accounting reports—what they were, how to use them, and their importance to the District Managers and Management.

All was not hard work, however, as the wives joined them for lunch on Thursday, and the Managers and their wives toured the new Walnut Creek Corporate Headquarters office.

*Photo: STAN SOULÉ, JOHN BRADSHER, DICK LEWIS, PAT GARCIA*

*Photo: GLEN & JEAN GROSS, JEANNE POTTLE*

*Photo: MRS. STAN SOULÉ, PHYLLIS CARSTENSEN, GERRY LEWIS*

*Photo: DEE & BILL LUCAS, CAROL MARTY, MARY ANN HEINRICHS*

PAGE 8 — SOULÉ STEEL NEWS — FALL 1978/SPRING 1979

*Photo: LEE SOULÉ, BARBARA GEBAUER*

*Photo: DON WATKINS, SANDY LEWIS, JOHN BRADSHER*

LOTS OF SMILES AND HAPPY FACES WERE IN EVIDENCE at the annual Christmas Dinner Dance for the Los Angeles/Carson employees . . .

*Photo: [Candid photos from the Christmas Dinner Dance]*

IN MEMORIAM

It is with regret that we report the death of Jack Dressen's wife during the recent holiday season (SB/LA)

WINTER 1978/SPRING 1979 ISSUE

**SOULE' NEWS**

Published Quarterly by the SOULE' STEEL COMPANY, 1910 Olympic Boulevard, Walnut Creek, California

JEANNE POTTLE — Editor In Chief

- HOWARD SOULÉ — Editor, Hqs. - BARBARA BURNHAM — Carson - NILES O. MILLAR — Alumni - JO DAVIS — Fresno - JOHN ROGACHENKO — Roving Editor - JANET NEUBERT — Newark - TERRI OLESH — Los Angeles - NANCI BLYTH — Sacramento - FURMAN DAVIS — Phoenix - PAULINE WALLEN — San Francisco - MARGERY VAN DUSEN — Salt Lake City

FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID Walnut Creek, CA Permit No. 929