Who is Life-Science Innovations?  How Can I Apply?

Our Communications & Marketing intern, Danielle Norling worked with LSI Recruiter, Michelle Falling to create a unique way to showcase our organization and educate potential new recruits on how to navigate the application process. Danielle spent a lot of time creating and editing several minutes of recorded content to get this video down to 3:00 minutes!  She did a fabulous job on this project so PLEASE check it out and share it with your friends you want to send our way!  We’ll be posting it on our Facebook Page soon also!

What is a great video without its bloopers? Check out this cut of some entertaining outtakes with Michelle Falling:

Jack Thielke

John Michael (Jack) was born on July 31, 2016 in Draper Utah to Mike and Lisa Thielke. Mike and Lisa have welcomed this bundle of joy into their family through the gift of adoption.

The adoption story for them started over two years ago as they looked to grow their family from 2 to 3. After mounds of paperwork and home visits, they finally became active in July of 2015. They were chosen by a birth mother in Florida, for a baby due in December of 2015, but as Mike and Lisa started to make arrangements to travel they received a call, that the young lady had decided to parent.  Having to pack away “Baby’s first Christmas” ornaments and presents that had been bought was heartbreaking, and forced them to take a break for a while.

In February of 2016, they had a phone call with an expectant mother from New Jersey. She had chosen them to raise this child due in March. On March 4, they received a phone call that the birthmother was ready to go to the hospital. After securing a flight to Newark they made their way to the airport. As they switched flights in Chicago, Lucas Josiah was born. Arriving at the hospital about 6 hours after his birth, the new parents could not get enough of little Luke. After spending two wonderful days with Luke and the birthmother, it was time to be discharged. Mike and Lisa could not legally take the child and had arranged to have the birthmother and her other son, stay at the hotel with them. The birthmother decided that she wanted to have a night to say goodbye, and have her family meet Luke. During the course of the night, communication fell off, and Mike and Lisa where told the Mom was having a hard time making the final decision. Two days later, sitting in a hotel room in New Jersey, they got the news that Luke would be staying there.

With heavy hearts, they got on a plane back to Minnesota.  It was very difficult, as before they left Mike’s dad John had been given a month to live, as he battled Leukemia, and Luke would have been the first grandchild in Mike’s family.  Mike’s dad passed away on March 31.

At that point, Mike was considering calling it all off, but Lisa was working behind the scenes, putting their profile out for other expectant mothers.  Memorial Day weekend a mother from Nebraska, called the agency and said that she would like to talk to Mike and Lisa. The phone call sealed the deal, and she made the decision that Mike and Lisa would be the parents. During the next couple of months, they texted, emailed, and had weekly calls. The date to be induced was set at August 3. Mike and Lisa decided to July 29, take their time, visit some people along the way, and spend a couple days with the birth mom. Checking into their hotel on the 30^th in Casper Wyoming, they grabbed a bite to eat, and decided to get a good night’s sleep, and leave around 9 the next morning.

1:30 am the phone rings, and the social worker says that birthmom is heading to the hospital, and where are we. They arrived in Draper, just south of Salt Lake City, around 8:30am, met the birthmother in person for the first time and visited until 3pm. Jack was born at 3:17 pm.

The next couple weeks were a blur, as they navigated the legal process and other paperwork needed to bring Jack to Minnesota, which eventually happened on August 11. Jack has been a wonderful addition to their little family, and has made  many trips out to the MinnWest campus to see all the tenants who had prayed for him and his mom and dad.

Mike and his family would like to thank MinnWest for supporting him through this very trying, yet fulfilling time. He would probably would not have been able to spend as much time with Jack, and have the flexibility to care for him if he worked anywhere else. He would also like to thank all the tenants and affiliates for their support.

Mike has not convinced Mom to let him wear the baby carrier to work yet, but there might be an option to put a car seat in the ToolCat for winter snow removal.

Raymond Rockets

Tyler Knott’s (Epitopix Production Supervisor) baseball team, the Raymond Rockets, won the Class C State Amateur Baseball Championship on Monday. Out of 48 teams to make it to the State Tournament they were able to finish on top. Tyler is a starting pitcher on the team.

Photo above is a family picture with Tyler Knott & his wife Melissa with their son Grayson & daughter Kylie.

Here is a short video from West Central Tribune highlighting their victory & more information:

http://www.wctrib.com/sports/4108625-amateur-baseball-rockets-roar-class-c-title

 

Years of Service

We want to congratulate the following individuals who have recently celebrated their Years of Service anniversary.

Joseph Pacheco (pictured below): Randy Luna on the left (Hilltop Farm Manager) giving gift to Joseph Pacheco on the right (Hilltop Egg Picker) for 5 year anniversary with Ag Forte.

 

Donna Breidenstein (pictured below): Sonia Valenciano on the left (HR Services Lead) giving gifts to Donna Breidenstein on right (Customer Service Representative) for 25 year anniversary with Ag Forte.

 

Michael Taylor (pictured below): Dale Johnson (AI Serviceman) giving years of service gift to Micheal Taylor on the left (AI Supervisor) for 5 year anniversary at Ag Forte.

Maria Castillo (pictured below, left) Celebrates 5 Years with Ag Forte. Pictured receiving anniversary gift with Supervisor Luserito Lopez (Aurora Service Room Supervisor) and Chris Sawyer (Aurora Hatchery Manager). Maria’s Position: QC Technician.

Jose Zavala Quinones (pictured below, right) Celebrates 5 Years with Ag Forte. Pictured with Supervisor Jereme Hutton (Prairie View Manager). Mirian’s Position: Assistant Inseminator.

 

Employee Announcements 

Congratulations

To Brant Beckman and his wife Samantha on the birth of their daughter Maclynn Sophie Beckman. Born on her actual due date of August, 20th. She weighed: 7 lbs 13 oz. Brant is a WPF Farms Supervisor.

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HR/Employee Services

The Human Resources/Employee Services Team specializes in benefits and payroll, compliance and policy, employee relations, ag-recruiting, legal compliance, and company & employee overall well-being. We are located on the first floor of Life-Science Innovations on the MinnWest campus at 1800 Technology Drive. We look forward to working with you!

Please message us via email at employee.services@life-scienceinnovations.com or give us a call at

320.222.9515 or 888.320.9750 extension 2515

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Recruiting Corner

Keep the referrals coming!  Our website is updated on a weekly basis, so please encourage your referrals to apply online to a specific opening at http://life-scienceinnovations.com/employment/ 

You are welcome to message me personally at michelle.falling@life-scienceinnovations.com | or just give me a call at O: (320) 222-9790  M: (320) 441-8596 with any questions about the open positions posted or to discuss your personal career development.  (PS  A new class in the fall will be coming soon – stay tuned!!!)  Thanks for trusting me to help you through the recruiting process!

Have a great week!

– Michelle Falling, MN Affiliates Recruiting Specialist

Openings

Current status of all organizational openings.

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Welcome New Employees

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Turkey Recipes & Tips!

Ground Turkey Skillet with Green Beans 

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Employee Count

As of 09/07/16 we have 1741 employees