Art Lowenberg Joins ReadyOne Industries
Art Lowenberg has joined ReadyOne Industries as Contact Center Manager, it was announced by Tom Ahmann, President and Chief Executive Officer. He brings over 25 years of experience in contact center operations to his new position. Prior to joining ReadyOne’s Communication Services Division, Lowenberg was responsible for the Customer Contact Center at Hewlett Packard’s New Mexico location.
A native El Pasoan, Lowenberg is a Vietnam era veteran, serving 12 years in the aviation field of the U.S. Army. He is a graduate in computer information technology from Regis University in Colorado.
The Contact Center, which opened October 1st with 18 customer service representatives, is the newest division of ReadyOne Industries.
ReadyOne Industries diversifies again; teams with another non-profit, United Blood Services, to open a contact center
It’s a brand new business venture created by one of El Paso’s largest employers. The ReadyOne Contact Center officially opened October 1 with 17 new employees and plenty of room to grow. “We have been working on the project for over a year, and we were really pleased to enter into an agreement with United Blood Services to serve their needs. They are our first customer, and we think it is very special and significant to be working for another not-for-profit agency,” said Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne. David Veloz, Executive Director of Customer Relations for United Blood Services, added that when this opportunity for a pilot program was presented, UBS jumped at it. “ReadyOne is adding a sustained workforce to help us call blood donors, schedule appointments and simply provide the best possible service to the people who help save lives in our community. We are very grateful to ReadyOne and excited about this partnership,” Veloz stated. The contact center operates six days a week from 5 pm to 9 pm in ReadyOne’s main facility at 1414 Ability Drive. ReadyOne’s former cafeteria and kitchen were converted into the new contact center with 42 work stations, state of the art equipment, and a training room. The three-year plan is to have a 200-seat center. Art Lowenberg, Contact Center Manager, brings over 30 years of experience to the company, and looks forward to the success of the new business. Mike Price, Business Development Manager for ReadyOne, launched plans for the contact center and has overseen all aspects of its progress from conception of the idea to opening of the operation. “While El Paso has a substantial number of contact centers, we can fill a void in this market. The key is that we’re looking for many smaller opportunities, not a few large ones. While we won’t turn down a big piece of business, we expect to develop a niche with significant opportunities in small and medium size companies who are looking for contact centers that are willing to accommodate them,” Price explained. First and foremost, the new business venture fulfills ReadyOne mission: the opportunity to employ people who are blind or have significant disabilities. All but one of the current 17 employees in the contact center has a significant disability and three are legally blind. “This new division in our ever-growing and rapidly expanding company keeps us in the forefront of El Paso’s business community, as an employer as well as a company providing substantial services,” Ahmann added.
October 28, 2011
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month
A special celebration is being held for the ReadyOne employees and their families. Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne said, “Congress has designated this month to educate Americans about issues related to the employment of Americans with disabilities. At ReadyOne, we are celebrating our abilities…capability, dependability, reliability… accountability.” About 1500 people are expected to attend the festivities, which include remarks from executives, lunch, mariachis, employee talent show and employee of the year presentation.
September 2011
ReadyOne Industries Document Services Division Received Certification for New Program to Assist in Proper Destruction of Healthcare Information
The Document Services Division of ReadyOne Industries has received certification from the National Association for Information Destruction with its new program geared to small to medium size medical offices. “Medical records must be handled, stored and destroyed with extreme care. Amendments to HIPAA were recently passed by Congress that dramatically increase liabilities related to improper disposal of healthcare information,” said Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne. As part of the new program, ReadyOne offers assistance and staff training for small to medium size medical offices in managing and controlling their office records. George Barnett, Document Services Sales Manger for ReadyOne, added, “The risk to a medial practice is greater than ever for mishandling their patients’ files. Outsourcing information destruction to ReadyOne is an excellent option.”
ReadyOne Received Certification for New Program in Document Services Division to Assist in Proper Destruction of Healthcare Information
The Document Services Division of ReadyOne Industries has received certification from the National Association for Information Destruction with its new program geared to small to medium size medical offices. “Medical records must be handled, stored and destroyed with extreme care. Amendments to HIPAA were recently passed by Congress that dramatically increase liabilities related to improper disposal of healthcare information,” said Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne.
As part of the new program, ReadyOne offers assistance and staff training for small to medium size medical offices in managing and controlling their office records. George Barnett, Document Services Sales Manger for ReadyOne, added, “The risk to a medial practice is greater than ever for mishandling their patients’ files. Outsourcing information destruction to ReadyOne is an excellent option.”
Randy Engel Named General Manager of Garment Division At ReadyOne Industries
Randy Engel has been promoted to the position of General Manager of the Garment Division of ReadyOne Industries, Inc, it was announced by Tom Ahmann, Chief Executive Officer and President. He will report to Cynthia Deharo, Vice President and Director of Products. Engel has over 36 years of materials and manufacturing experience in tractor assembly, hermetic motor manufacturing & assembly, and automotive seat cover sewing. He served for 15 years as the Director of Materials in Juarez in the maquiladora operations for Lear Corporation in the sewing of automotive seat covers and also as Director of Operations in El Paso for the Lear Distribution Center. During that time he traveled to Europe and China to assist in and help implement sewing operations.
Engel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and attended Masters Courses in Business Management at Central Michigan and UTEP. He was a member of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) for 20 years and was a Certified Member (CPIM).
December 2010
Marina Ardovino Named to ReadyOne Board of Directors
Marina Ardovino has been named to the Board of Directors of ReadyOne Industries, it was announced by Leonard Goodman III, Chairman of the Board. She is co-owner and vice president of Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, where she is responsible for daily operations at the 200-seat fine dining restaurant and banquet facility that employs 50+ people. She oversees management, accounting, business development and HR.
Ardovino received her BA Degree from the University of California, San Diego. A native El Pasoan, she has worked in all capacities at the family-owed business since 1985. She is a member of Executive Forum and a company member of Homegrown El Paso and AUSA.
“We are delighted to welcome Marina Ardovino to our Board of Directors,” said Leonard Goodman III. “Her years of business experience and her dedication to the community make her a tremendous asset to ReadyOne Industries.”
September, 2010
Cynthia Deharo, Vice President of ReadyOne, Receives Top National Honor from United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Cynthia Deharo, Vice President and Director of Product Development of ReadyOne Industries, was honored last week at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 31st Annual National Convention & Business Expo in Dallas. After a national nomination and selection process, eight outstanding Latinas from across the country were honored for making incredible strides in the following fields: Community Services; Corporate; Education; Entrepreneur; Financial Services; Health; Legislative and Non-Profit/Philanthropy. Deharo was recipient of the award as the Ultimate Latina in the Non-Profit category. The winners were honored for outstanding contributions made by Latinas who empower, employ and provide critical services to Hispanic communities across the country.
Deharo is a native Texan with more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. She has been with ReadyOne Industries since 2007. She serves on the board of directors of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“We are very proud of Cynthia for this well-deserved honor,” said Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne. “Her leadership and management skills, along with her knowledge and experience, make her a vital member of our executive team. We thank the El Paso Hispanic Chamber for nominating her for this award.”
July 28, 2010
ReadyOne Industries Awards $20,000 To UTEP and EPCC For Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
ReadyOne Industries presented UTEP and EPCC with $10,000 each for scholarships, announced Tom Ahmann, CEO. The schools will oversee awarding of the scholarships, and recipients must be qualified students who are blind or disabled.
“I was very pleased that our board of directors approved this scholarship initiative. ReadyOne is an AbilityOne agency whose mission is to employ people with disabilities, so it is exciting that we can help fund education opportunities for those who may be our future employees,” Ahmann said.
June 2010
ReadyOne Industries Reelects Board Members
Two members of the board of directors of ReadyOne Industries, Major General Arthur Gregg (RET) of Dumfries, Virginia, and Martin Berkowitz, of Miami, Florida, have been reelected to the board for three-year terms.
General Gregg has more than 50 years of professional experience, having held senior level command and staff positions in the military and several executive positions in industry. His last two military assignments were in the Pentagon; serving as the Director for Logistics in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and later as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. Following his retirement from the Army in 1981, he served as an executive in cable television, manufacturing and computer technology, including a stint as President and CEO of James Martin Government Intelligence. Retired since 1996, he remains active as chairman and a member of several corporate and academic boards.
Berkowitz is currently CFO of Videotrope, a developer of video-enabled business communications and collaboration tools. He has over 30 years of experience in financial management including 25 years with Prudential. During the last four years of his tenure, he served as the comptroller of the company. After Prudential, he was the CFO and later the CEO for The National Veterans Business Development Corporation, a congressionally chartered non-profit that helps veterans, and in particular service-disabled veterans start and grow their own businesses. He also served as CFO for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest public school district in the country. The board now consists of six members, including three El Pasoans: Leonard Goodman III (Tripper), Chairman, Gary Hedrick and Anthony (Tony) Martinez. Three members reside out of town: Merritt Allen, Secretary, along with Gregg and Berkowitz.
“Under the direction of our outstanding board of directors, executives, management team and employees, ReadyOne has acquired new contracts from the United States government as well as private industry, expanded our operations, and ventured into new businesses; all allowing us to fulfill our mission of hiring employees with disabilities,” Goodman said.
May 1, 2010
George Barnett Joins ReadyOne Industries as Sales Manager of Document Management
George Barnett has joined ReadyOne Industries as the Sales Manager of the Document Management Division, it was announced by Tom Ahmann, CEO. He has several years of experience in sales and document management in the El Paso/Southwest region. A Certified Document Imaging Architect, Barnett has assisted commercial organizations and government agencies in a variety of operations including secure document destruction, storage, environmentally friendly procedures and compliance.
April 2010
ReadyOne Industries Donated Specially Designed Uniforms to El Paso Police Department SWAT Team
Last April, a group of soldiers from the USA’s very elite Special Forces came to El Paso to aid in the design of a new Special Forces Combat Uniform being manufactured by Readyone Industries. The project was initiated by the Special Operations Command located in NATICK, MA. El Paso based ReadyOne Industries was selected to manufacturer the new Level 9 prototypes. Along with several business partners, including Patagonia Sportswear, ReadyOne manufactured a total of 200 prototype uniforms making eight complete design changes in a period of two weeks before coming up with a combat ready uniform. During the entire process the Special Forces troops trained at the El Paso SWAT training facility where they became friends with many of the El Paso SWAT team members who trained along side them. In appreciation for their participation in this special event and their continued activities that make El Paso safe, ReadyOne Industries produced and donated 22 uniforms for the El Paso SWAT team.
February 15, 2010
Deputy Commander Gilbert Montoya Visits ReadyOne; Praises Employees, Their Work and Contributions
Gilbert Montoya, Deputy Commander, Plans and Operations of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), visited ReadyOne Industries Tuesday, January 19th. He toured the facility, met employees, and expressed appreciation for the tremendous contribution of ReadyOne to the U.S. Government. DSCP annually buys over $14.5 billion worth of food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical supplies, construction and equipment items for America’s warfighters and other customers worldwide. ReadyOne is one of the largest suppliers to DSCP, with over $135 million in annual contracts.
Montoya’s visit was initiated with conversations Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne, had with Congressman Reyes and his staff in Washington. Ahmann constantly informs them of issues that may affect ReadyOne such as a cut back in production of the Chemical Protection Suit. “The Congressman has been and continues to be very supportive of the ReadyOne mission. Therefore, his staff asked the Defense Logistics agency to send a representative to ReadyOne to meet with us, tour our facility, and tell us how important we are to the DSCP industrial base,” Ahmann said.
Montoya’s visit culminated with the presentation of the highly coveted Deputy Commander Coin to select employees at ReadyOne for their outstanding work. He presented the coins to Tom Ahmann, CEO, Isela Meraz, Contracts/Purchasing Manager, Cynthia DeHaro, Director of Products, Maria Elena Jimenez, Quality Manager, Geronimo Medina, Plant Manager, and Maria Elena Castaneda, Production Line Manager.
January, 2010
ReadyOne Awarded Army Vehicle Storage Contract
ReadyOne Industries was recently awarded a sub contract by SDV Command Source, (a disabled veteran owned small business), to store and maintain Fort Bliss soldiers’ privately owned vehicles (POV) while they are deployed overseas. Robert Farah has been named project manager for the contract.
The operation consists of a Vehicle Processing Center, which is open five days a week and where soldiers turn in and pick up their vehicles. It is located at 12100 Esther Lama. Hours of operation are 0700 to 1600, but should the need arise, the hours of operations will flex to accommodate the requirements of the Transportation Office.
POVs must be routinely started and moved throughout their storage period. ReadyOne has 200,000 square feet of storage space, as well as 6,000 feet for a reception area set up for the January beginning of the contract.
“ReadyOne is very excited for this great opportunity to not only move our mission forward in employing veterans and other people with disabilities, but also to help our soldiers have one less thing to worry about when they are deployed,” said TomAhmann, CEO of ReadyOne.
November, 2009
Industries Partners With Creative Kids to Make Unique Items from Recyclable Corrugated Material: Playhouse, Castle and Luminarios…just in time for the holidays. Products debuted at the Junior League Christmas Fair this November.
ReadyOne Industries has partnered with Creative Kids in a unique business venture: to make and sell three specialized items just in time for the holiday season: a playhouse, castle and luminarios. All three are made from corrugated products, which is one of ReadyOne’s manufacturing divisions.
The two El Paso companies are both non-profit organizations with special missions. ReadyOne seeks to employ individuals who are blind or have severe disabilities. The mission of Creative Kids is to promote the power of the arts through a variety of cultural activities that enhance the educational development of disadvantaged youth, foster children, children with disabilities, children battling cancer and other conditions, and the challenges of addressing juvenile delinquency prevention. The castle is designed to allow children to color, paint, draw, decorate their own “regal play domicile” however they want.
The products will make their debut at the El Paso Junior League’s A Christmas Fair this weekend. Prices for all products are under $30. Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne Industries, and Stephen Ingle, CEO of Creative Kids, are equally excited about the new partnership, and plan to market the retail operation nationally as well as locally
October, 2009
ReadyOne Donates Storage Space to Toys for Tots
ReadyOne Industries has donated over 6,000 feet of storage space to Toys for Tots in El Paso. Toys for Tots is
a nationwide program started by Marine Corps Reservists in 1948 to collect and distribute toys for needy children.
When Cynthia De Haro, Director of Manufacturing at ReadyOne Industries, learned that the local Toys for Tots program had lost its warehousing, she immediately volunteered storage space at the eastside facility. In addition to storing all the toys, ReadyOne will donate boxes, which the company produces, for all pick up and distribution.
Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne, added, “We are partners with our community, and especially the military. The opportunity
to keep the Toys for Tots program alive and well fits right in with our mission and our operation at ReadyOne. We
are pleased to offer our ReadyOne’s support to the Marines and to help bring the joy of Christmas to needy children
in our community.
More information: Irene Morales, 858-7277
October, 2009
ReadyOne Industries Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
ReadyOne Industries held an Open House for employees and their families on Friday, October 30 to celebrate National
Disability Employment Awareness Month. Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne said, “Congress has designated this month to educate
Americans about issues related to the employment of Americans with disabilities. At ReadyOne, we are celebrating our
abilities…capability, dependability, reliability…accountability.”
About 1500 people attended the festivities that included lunch, mariachis, folklorico dancers, an employee talent show, and naming Ismael Rubio Employee of the Year. A special feature was the guest appearance by Tony DeBois, 36-year-old pianist from Waltham, MA, who has been playing piano since age two. A native El Pasoan, born weighing 1lb, ¾ oz, Tony is blind, autistic and a musical savant.
September, 2009
Frank Serna Promoted to Manager of Document Services at ReadyOne Industries
ReadyOne Industries has promoted Frank Serna to Manager of the Document Services Division, it was announced by Tom Ahmann,
CEO. He first joined the company in 2003, and has over seven years of experience in administration and production. Serna
will oversee all aspects of document management, storage and destruction including security, compliance, scheduling, and
customer service
April, 2009
Socorro ISD partners with Ready One to offer job training
Socorro ISD and ReadyOne Industries have been working together for over a year to provide a new job training program.
On Monday, April 6, the District hosted a ribbon cutting at Options High School to celebrate the opening of the ReadyOne
Sewing Room equipped with sewing machines donated by ReadyOne Industries. The program will provide instruction in sewing and
garment manufacturing for identified Career and Technical Education students at the high school. ReadyOne has committed to hiring
these students after they graduate.
“Over 100 students from the Socorro Independent School District toured our facility last year, and were very excited about the prospect of one day working here. We hope this is just the start of a great partnership with SISD and others that may wish to partner with us. ReadyOne Industries is branching out to many other business ventures such as document destruction and storage and we hope that we will be able to not only hire graduates for sewing jobs but other operations as well. We are confident the sewing class will be a success and an example of what good partnerships can do for the El Paso Community. It is a win-win situation for all of us,” said Tom Ahmann, CEO of ReadyOne.”
February, 2009
Price Joins ReadyOne as Business Development Manager
ReadyOne Industries has named Mike Price Business Development Manager, it was announced by Tom Ahmann,
CEO. Price came to El Paso in 1990 from Michigan to serve as the Advertising Director at the El Paso Times.
He retired from that position last October, culminating a career in newspaper sales management that
spans 40 years in Lansing, Detroit, Dallas, and Cleveland as well as El Paso.
Price is a member of Rotary Club of El Paso and the AUSA GA Omar Bradley Chapter.
“We are delighted to welcome Mike Price to our company,” said Ahmann. “His years of experience in sales
and management, along with his many local charitable activities over the past 19 years, make him a great
addition to ReadyOne Industries, especially as we are exploring new business opportunities that will continue
to allow us to grow and fulfill our mission of providing employment to people with disabilities.
