Company News and Highlights

January 23, 2018

How a Corporation Contributes to Society

Two months ago AMS celebrated having been granted B-Corporation status. It was natural for AMS to make the legal commitment to uphold the B-Corp standard, as the company has always done what a B-Corp does, which is care about more than just profit.

This is how AMS interprets our mission: “We work to create a principled corporate culture, recognizing that financial performance and growth are not goals unto themselves, but merely outcomes achievable through uncompromising attention to our customers, our organization, our community and ourselves.” The efforts we’ve made at supporting families and helping underemployed job-seekers in the community, educating and advancing employees and protecting the environment are a natural to us.

The article below expresses what we see as a changing climate in what the people, including ourselves, want of a corporation. Millions would like to see corporations committed to contributing to society, serving their clients and customers honestly and impeccably, protecting the environment, nurturing their employees and making financial profit.

This is a small portion of the referenced article with link to the full article below:

BlackRock’s Message: Contribute to Society, or Risk Losing Our Support

On Tuesday, the chief executives of the world’s largest public companies will be receiving a letter from one of the most influential investors in the world. And what it says is likely to cause a firestorm in the corner offices of companies everywhere and a debate over social responsibility that stretches from Wall Street to Washington.

Laurence D. Fink, founder and chief executive of the investment firm BlackRock, is going to inform business leaders that their companies need to do more than make profits — they need to contribute to society as well if they want to receive the support of BlackRock.

Mr. Fink has the clout to make this kind of demand: His firm manages more than $6 trillion in investments through 401(k) plans, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds, making it the largest investor in the world, and he has an outsize influence on whether directors are voted on and off boards.

“Society is demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose,” he wrote in a draft of the letter that was shared with me. “To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.” READ MORE

January 23, 2018

Support Employment of Individuals With Disabilities

As an employer in Santa Clarita Valley, AMS has long been committed to hiring individuals with disabilities. Employees and management at AMS know how rewarding it is to work in a diverse environment that includes individuals with disabilities – it is a win-win for all.

After years of steering AMS’s socially aware hiring practices, CEO Ken Wiseman was honored to be selected as Chair (amidst a group of other professionals passionate about the committee’s mission) of the Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities. This nonprofit organization helps local businesses increase their efforts to hire individuals with disabilities.

Coming up soon is an annual event that the Mayor’s Committee has been planning for months; the second annual Educate-Empower-Employ Recognition Luncheon and fundraiser at College of the Canyons. The date is February 22nd, and the time is noon. The meal will be a gourmet luncheon created by students of Culinary Education at the College of the Canyon’s Institute of Culinary Education Facility, located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia 91355.

We encourage businesses in the SCV community to join with AMS and attend this worthwhile and enjoyable event. The Committee’s invitation is extended to senior-level executives, employment professionals and other professionals who provide training and job placement for individuals with disabilities. Companies that hire individuals with disabilities will be recognized at the event and sponsors will also receive recognition.

Funds raised from the luncheon will be used by the Mayor’s Committee in its ongoing work, which ultimately aims to increase the number of individuals with disabilities in the local workforce.

We hope to see you there!!

To RSVP or for more information, please e-mail the Event Chair, Kathleen Secchi at [email protected].

January 19, 2018

Join AMS in Supporting Single Mothers Outreach

With a fundraising gala coming up soon in February, it’s time to shine a light on a very special SCV organization and friend of AMS, Single Mothers Outreach (SMO). SMO directly helps single parents find jobs, get educated, secure housing, stabilize their children’s emotional states, manage their finances, and help one another.

For several years AMS has invited its clients to donate their overstock and/or gently used returns to Single Mothers Outreach, with AMS providing the fulfillment services at no charge. By working together with their generous clients, AMS has been able to put clothing, shoes, toys, small appliances and products of all sorts and kinds into the hands of individuals and families in need of help. Most of the donations go to the organization’s boutique, Closet on Main, as this business is vital in SMO’s work.

In addition to providing emergency stabilization for families that are in danger of losing everything, SMO refers clients to emergency housing, provides school supplies, and connects parents struggling with basic living skills with critical social service resources.

Single Mothers Outreach also helps their clients find a good job and develop the life skills they will need to raise their children. It is one of the organizations preparing to match candidates with a new and innovative program being developed by AMS and COC, the Pre-Apprentice Program. This program is focused on individuals who are struggling to gain and maintain employment.

On February 10, AMS CEO Ken Wiseman, and Executive VP of Client Services Betty-Lou Wiseman, will be attending an upcoming fundraising event for SMO, the Empowering Hearts Gala. AMS encourages others to join them in support of an organization doing great work within the SCV Community.

January 9, 2018

AMS : The Year In Review

Among the achievements of AMS over the past year we find a groundbreaking apprenticeship program, extensive safety training, free employee education, public acclaim as the #1 family-owned business, AMS employees contributing to the LA Cancer Challenge, AMS honoring veterans and working with the Veteran Services Collaborative, employees joining with the SCV Sherriff’s Department in holiday giving, and the crowning achievement of AMS being granted B Corporation status.

We invite you to review the year with us through the following selections from the AMS Fulfillment blog.

February 17, 2017 – AMS and COC Creating ‘Great Opportunity’: SCV College of the Canyons (COC) announced their partnership program with AMS in which 13 apprenticeships in warehousing and shipping would be offered. This innovative Logistics program is the first of its kind in the United States to be launched. Fifty top educators from around the state attended a conference at COC in order to discuss how community colleges can provide customized training for local companies, which concluded with a tour of the AMS education facility and a review of the AMS Learning Center educational activities. Continue reading…

March 7, 2017 – AMS Begins Companywide Safety Training: While the AMS Safety Committee has served the company well, management made the decision to train every employee on the standard of cleanliness and safety awareness that all employees should have when working in the warehouse. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are used as a foundation for this training. Continue reading…

May 2, 2017 – Hazmat Safety Training Begins at AMS: AMS has begun hazmat safety training in order to make employees familiar with DOT regulations for shippers, transporters and manufacturers. Although contact with hazardous materials is unlikely, for the protection, safety and security of AMS employees and the public, this function-specific training for the AMS warehouse employees is taking place. Continue reading…

June 17, 2017 – Congratulations to AMS’ ESL Graduates: Among the courses offered at the AMS education facility, in collaboration with COC, is English as a Second Language (ESL 1). May 2017 is the one-year anniversary of the first ESL course. By studying English through a respected school, without having to leave the workplace, employees are more able to write and respond to emails, letters and so on, and possibly pursue more skilled positions at AMS or elsewhere. Continue reading…

August 14, 2017 – AMS Ranked #1 Family-Owned Business: The Santa Clarita Business Journal ranked AMS the #1 family-owned business in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita is the 3rd largest city in Los Angeles County, with Los Angeles and Long Beach coming in as one and two. At AMS we are very proud to employ more than 300 individuals, and grateful to the Journal for the ranking as #1. Continue reading…

October 16, 2017 – AMS Employees take the LA Cancer Challenge: For several years AMS has opened their facility on the weekends to provide space for LA Cancer Challenge volunteers to package gift bags. This year AMS employees took contributing to an even greater level, volunteering to come in an hour early and stay an hour late as their donation to the cancer challenge. In addition to building the gift bags, AMS management and a number of employees bring their families to take part in the 5K, 10K and 15K runs. Continue reading…

November 1, 2017 – AMS Conducts Bi-Annual Earthquake Drill: All AMS employees across the campus of warehouses participate in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. As part of an extensive safety training program, covering a number of areas, AMS conducts earthquake drills twice a year. Earthquake safety training is part of AMS’ ongoing focus on safety, which is year-round and includes classes on appropriate safety regulations in warehouses. Continue reading…

November 15, 2017 – AMS: Honoring and Supporting our Veterans: During the Veteran’s Day weekend AMS joined millions of Americans in honoring those who have served or are serving in the US Military. At the same time we realize that there is much more to be done to assist veterans and active duty individuals who have need of employment, housing and healthcare. To that end AMS has been working with the Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative. Continue reading…

December 22, 2017 – AMS Enjoys Holiday Giving Traditions: In supporting local families during the holidays, AMS works in conjunction with the SCV Sheriff’s Department. AMS employees meet with selected families at the Youth Center in a joyful celebration for all – one of the favorite events shared by the AMS corporate family. Deputy Brian Rooney oversees the YAL Community Program with the Val Verde community, and he selects the families and presents AMS with ‘Santa’s list’. Continue reading…

December 16, 2017 – We’re Celebrating!! AMS Achieves B-Corp Status!: AMS Fulfillment has been granted B-Corporation status. For this we can thank the ownership, management and employees, as corporate responsibility has always been a unified effort at AMS. A B-Corporation (B-Corp) is a legal status that mandates considerations other than just profit. AMS has joined with thousands of other B-Corporations in a commitment to making socially and environmentally responsible decisions. Continue reading…

January 8, 2018

AMS – COC Logistics Apprentice Program Expanding

The AMS Fulfillment and College of the Canyons (COC) partnership in bringing a ‘first of its kind’ Nationally Certified Logistics Apprentice Program into existence has reached its first anniversary, and considering what it takes to break new ground, they’ve done a yeoman’s job.

On December 27, AMS, COC and Goodwill Industries representatives held an information session in the AMS classroom center at the headquarter facility, where they reviewed the considerable progress made in overcoming the expected challenges.

What is being developed is a minimum 2200-hour on-the-job training and curriculum program with coursework that will train an entry-level individual for leadership and management in the logistics field. Current students are 800 hours into their apprenticeship, and they are expected to graduate at the end of 2018.

Additionally, with more news to come on this, AMS and COC are announcing the start of a Pre-Apprentice Program. This is a 10-12 week program with job shadowing, on the job training, and coursework. This program will be focused on individuals who are struggling to maintain employment. It will provide the opportunity to learn basic employability skills, and specific skills to enter the logistics field. (Logistics is one of the fastest growing industries in LA County, with 1-7 jobs being related to the logistics field.)

In addition to the training pre-apprentices will receive from AMS, and curriculum from COC, the program will include the availability of other wrap around services and funding to try to overcome many of the obstacles that people face in getting and maintaining employment. This could be single motherhood, homelessness and other circumstances. AMS has been working with resource groups in the community to identify candidates for this program.

The Logistics Apprentice Program began in November of 2016 when AMS and COC made news by establishing the partnership to benefit job-seekers and the Santa Clarita Valley community. Through its longstanding relationship with AMS, the COC pursued a state-approved apprenticeship program offering academic and on-the-job training in Logistics and Warehousing.

AMS Fulfillment is the first company in the Santa Clarita Valley to partner with a community college to create an apprenticeship program. In doing so, AMS is the first company in California to offer an apprenticeship program specializing in warehousing and shipping and the first in the U.S. to apply for a registered apprenticeship with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in the area of warehousing and shipping.

Ken Wiseman, CEO of AMS, expressed the company’s educational goals: “At AMS we are fortunate that we can offer many entry level jobs each year to individuals seeking employment. With this Apprentice program, we have given 20 individuals a chance to take their logistics job, and turn it into a career. That’s a big opportunity, and one that is enabled through the partnership efforts of College of the Canyons, AMS Fulfillment, and County, Federal and State programs that support this initiative.”

December 18, 2017

AMS Featured in Marketplace Magazine

Everyone knows that a whole lot of packages get shipped over the holidays, but not everyone knows the role of a fulfillment company like AMS in making the holidays happy.

AMS employees gear up for the holidays in mid November, and as the following article states, there is no resting on one’s laurels in January, as that is the time to handle returns!

Recently Marketplace Magazine reporter Reema Khrais interviewed CEO Ken Wiseman and AMS warehouse staff and management on how a fulfillment company handles the task of picking, packing and delivering holiday gifts.

* * *

These days, the holiday magic happens in warehouses.

Holiday shoppers can take their time agonizing over every little detail before hitting the “buy” button, but once an online order makes it to a warehouse worker like Natalia Andrade, the clock starts ticking.

Nineteen-year-old Andrade spends her day speeding through a maze of products at a large warehouse outside Los Angeles. She grabs things like candles, socks and lipsticks, juggling nearly 25 different orders at once. Her best time?

“My best time is seven minutes, depending on how much each order is asking for,” she said.

December 16, 2017

We’re Celebrating!! AMS Achieves B-Corp Status!

AMS Fulfillment has recently been granted B-Corporation status. For this we can thank the ownership, management and employees, as corporate responsibility has always been a unified effort at AMS.

A B-Corporation (B-Corp) is a legal status that mandates considerations other than just profit. All things being equal, why would clients, customers and consumers choose to do business with a B-Corp? The answer is clear – people want to see socially and environmentally responsible decisions from corporations rather than profit above all other considerations.

Across the globe, people are concerned about and care about life and health, and thriving communities. These human concerns are shared by many individuals who own and operate corporations, and that number is increasing.

In spirit, AMS Fulfillment has always operated as a business that considers more than just profit, having established a long record of community service and environmental responsibility. The ‘news’ is that now AMS has made a legal commitment to uphold social and environmental goals.

For years, AMS has operated its business in a manner that intentionally helps to solve social challenges. In the past few years this effort has increased significantly.

AMS provides employment for a large number of people, and in this way keeps families within the SCV community thriving. Seeing ‘job-provider’ as an opportunity to serve, management focused on hiring not only individuals who need a job, but also those who are less likely to secure a job due to a number of factors, such as disabilities, homelessness, active or veteran military status, former incarceration, insufficient education or language skills, and young persons needing to avoid at-risk behavior.

In addition to social responsibility in hiring, AMS has partnered with SCV College of the Canyons to offer education and training. Several years ago AMS created and outfitted an entire classroom within the AMS headquarter facility. This classroom has been used for Not For Credit and Non-Credit Certificate Programs, a new Logistics Apprentice program, and internal job training and mentoring for advancement.

Environmental responsibility has been a top concern from the beginning of AMS, and this is a process that employees proudly participate in. Jay Catlin, AMS President, elaborated on AMS’ thinking “Green”: “While our senior team has always focused on environmentally conscious efforts, B-Corp encourages that these efforts are best achieved through collaboration with all of our employees. Our new Green Team, comprised of employees from all departments, has already made some significant improvements in our environmental consciousness, but as importantly, they are much more in tune with our Corporate mission. Fulfillment companies are in a great position to make a significant impact on environmental health, and at AMS we view this as a responsibility of ours to do all we can to make a difference.”

With regard to B-Corp status, and the responsibility that goes with it, AMS CEO Ken Wiseman offered the following: “B-Corp helps us raise the bar for what we do. Up until now, we have tried to maintain a positive balance among our Customer, our Organization, our Community and Ourselves (as outlined in our Mission Statement.) Now we have a platform to compare our accomplishments to those of other like-minded organizations. We have forums to explore ideas, we have B-Corp challenges to sharpen our focus, and we have an appreciation that we are part of a movement that defines a company as great – by the balance it keeps, not just the bottom line that it achieves.”

AMS knows that community and environmentally minded business owners can achieve their social goals without sacrificing the ability to make a profit. With our choice of doing business as a B-Corporation, we cast our vote for a better future.

December 11, 2017

AMS Holiday Season: Shipping Gifts and Giving Gifts

Once again AMS is hard at work fulfilling orders for the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take time to help others give thanks and enjoy a beautiful meal!

Every year AMS employees and management show their care and respect for the community by distributing Thanksgiving meals. “We have such good vibes around the holidays,” says Jay Catlin, AMS President. “We know that Thanksgiving is a time when some in our community are unable to join in the spirit. AMS employees always reach out to the community, we’ve been doing for years, and we enjoy it immensely.”

For the past six years AMS has participated in the Santa Clarita Youth Activities League’s ‘Adopt a Family’ program. Officer Bryan Rooney of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department runs the program and selects the families the Thanksgiving celebrations.

Betty-Lou Wiseman, Executive VP of Client Services at AMS, administers the company’s giving programs. Betty-Lou added her thoughts: “Over the years of working with and providing summer and after school employment for young people sponsored by the Sheriff’s Youth Foundation, we became sensitive to the fact that many of the families in our area do struggle during the holidays. The AMS family adoption has now become a tradition, and it helps all of us who participate to experience the true meaning of the holidays.”

For the Thanksgiving holiday giving, AMS partnered with Ralph’s Supermarkets in creating full Thanksgiving dinners to distribute to families in need. Invitations were sent to the families, and they came to the Youth Center where they received their gifts.

We’re in full swing now, fulfilling orders for the holidays, and as we do so, AMS employees share the happiness of the season with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department, Officer Bryan Rooney, Ralph’s Supermarket, lots of local families and plenty of little kids.

November 30, 2017

Thank You! Outstanding AMS Employees October 2017

In the fulfillment industry employees are much more than human resources. They directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business.

AMS Fulfillment is a large company with a number of facilities and several hundred employees. Even though we are large, AMS has nurtured a corporate family culture from the beginning and to this day. We value a close environment that takes note of and cares about the people who work here, their wellbeing, and their job satisfaction.

Each month the supervisors within AMS’ Valencia CA facilities nominate an employee who has provided outstanding service to the clients. The nominations and supervisor comments demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond, and deserves Special Thanks!

It’s our pleasure to recognize the following Employees of the Month for October: Asal G., Leonard L., Ana C., Betty H., Brent C., Honorio R.

Hear what their supervisors have to say:

Asal G.: HQ Administration (March 2015)
HQ Administration: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Asal is the definition of a team player. Oftentimes we are tasked with invoice related projects that require large amounts of accounting data. Asal is always willing to help gather that data and uses her exceptional excel skills to layout everything in an organized way that clients and AMS team members can understand. She always makes time to help others and never complains. She is a pleasure to work with and a valuable asset to the AMS Family. Asal is a team player as well, never hesitating to help others regardless of her workload and always eager to take on new projects. We can always count on her.

Leonard L.: General Warehouse (November 2016]
HQ Warehouse: 29010 Commerce Center Drive

Leonard is an exceptional worker and a true asset to the company. He is a very hardworking individual who makes sure whatever assignment he receives is completed and done perfectly. Leo is very respectful and professional, always willing to do any task. He has been growing and learning a lot in a short period of time, always doing his work with dedication. Leo has shown himself to be a multipurpose employee and has cross trained to work and help out in various departments. He is a joy to work with and he’s always smiling, a great team player, plus he goes with the 49er’s which is always a plus!

Ana C.: General Warehouse (January 2015)
WIL1: 28936 Avenue Williams

Ana is a hardworking person with a positive attitude and is very important to our team. She is 100% committed to doing the job correctly and efficiently. She is respectful to all of her co-workers and is always willing to do whatever is necessary to get the work done. Ana can deal with all the clients in the warehouse at the same time with no issue and has learned all the processes for every one of them. Ana is a key team player for our operations team at Williams.

Betty H.: Operations Supervisor II (September 2002)
IND1: 28220 Industry Drive

Betty is a star! She has been working with AMS for a very long time and has managed to stay with a smile on her face even on bad days. Betty works hard in whatever task is given to her. She has a positive attitude and is always kind to everyone. She is very helpful and we know we can count on Betty, she never fails to show her hard working strength.

Brent C.: General Warehouse II (July 2017)
WIT2: 28624 Witherspoon Parkway

Brent is a great asset to the company. He always comes to work with a positive attitude and has an excellent work ethic. He is efficient, clean, works neatly and accomplishes all and every task necessary in a timely manner. Brent takes time to help other employees in any possible way no matter the client or department. He is a very hard worker who assists in any way he can. Brent has a smile for everyone and is always in a good mood.

Honorio R.: Receiving Clerk I (May 2005)
SCO3: 27801 Avenue Scott

Honorio is a great help to the Receiving/Inventory Team. He is always on time, respectful and has a joyful relationship with the team. He demonstrates his good attitude working with Receiving or Inventory. Honorio will cover any department that we need him to be a part of and always does his best.

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No matter which department they work in, which task they do, or which location or warehouse we find them in, our outstanding employees are the reason that AMS succeeds so well and continues to grow. Employees of the Month recognition is meant to be a sincere Thank You from the entire AMS Fulfillment Family! You are the reason for our success!

(Not pictured: Honorio R.)

November 15, 2017

AMS: Honoring and Supporting our Veterans

During the Veteran’s Day weekend in November, AMS joined millions of Americans in honoring those who have served or are serving in the US Military. At the same time we realize that there is much more to be done to assist veterans and active duty individuals who have need of employment, housing and healthcare.

To that end AMS has been working with the Santa Clarita Veteran Services Collaborative. This organization helps secure jobs, housing, transportation, health and human services, education and legal services for veterans and their dependents. AMS has long been enthusiastic in hiring veterans.

In addition to hiring, there are other efforts that AMS is able to make on behalf of veterans by working with the SCV Veterans Services Collaborative. The Collaborative includes organizations from the University of Southern California, College of the Canyons, a number of local businessmen and women, individuals, and non-profit organizations. These groups come together to exchange ideas and offer whatever assistance is within their province.

On Veterans Day AMS CEO Ken Wiseman, and his wife, AMS Executive VP of Client Services Betty-Lou Wiseman, attended a beautiful event organized by the SCV Veteran Services Collaborative and Boy Scouts of America at the Reagan Library. The event honored Lee Shulman, U. S. Army Air Corps veteran and longtime member of the SCV community, and also honored Vietnam Veteran Bennie Adkins.

Ken had this to say about the evening: “I really can’t imagine a place I would have rather been on the evening of Veteran’s day. The main speakers, Lee Shulman and Bennie Adkins were inspiring, the awards given to our local veterans that earned the Purple Heart, and their stories were impassioned, and the camaraderie of respect and patriotism that embraced all of us that evening was memorable. Combine all that with the atmosphere of The Regan Library, and wonderful food and company.”

AMS has played an enjoyable role in another recent event hosted by Help The Children and the SCV Veterans Collaborative. At this event, called “Come Thank a Veteran”, veterans and military families were invited to enjoy free music and to shop for free home improvement items.

Due to the generosity of AMS clients, our company was pleased to contribute 30-pallets of items for the military and veteran families to choose from, take home and enjoy. Jay Catlin, AMS President, expressed his gratitude to all who helped: “We’d like to give a huge Thank You to our generous and valued clients who donated the goods to support our local Veterans and their children. At AMS, we value and respect the women and men in the military who dedicate themselves to the security and well-being of the United States and our way of life. It was an honor to support such a positive endeavor.”

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Thank You For Your Service to the following AMS employees:

Robert Nicholson works for AMS at the WIT2 location. He served in the US Marine Corps for six years, and in military reserves for two more years. He enlisted when he was age 19. Robert’s Military Occupational Specialty was 3043 Administrative Supply. His first duty station was MCAS El Toro, CA, followed by Inspector and Instructor duty in Raleigh, NC. Then he was stationed at MCLB Albany, GA where he worked for the STAP Unit. The highest rank he achieved was Corporal.

When Robert was honorably discharged, he had earned two meritorious promotions and a good conduct medal. After he left the military, he worked for the Department of Defense as a contractor to assist in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

When asked to speak about being a veteran, he said, “One of the benefits of being vet is you know how our Military works and you can assist. A lot of vets are capable of assisting active duty personnel and other vets as contractors and volunteers. The Government is providing great benefits for our military – a better benefit package than ever before in our history, especially in mental health care.”

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Joseph Ramirez works for AMS at the IND1 location. He is currently in Army Reserves with his duty station in Bell Gardens in Los Angeles. Joseph’s duties are mechanics and maintenance of transportation equipment, and he has served in this capacity for three years. He will continue in this capacity until he is deployed at some time in the future.

When asked about his military service, Joseph said, “The training I received has helped me in my job here at AMS. Working as a soldier in the military life and in civilian life has made me disciplined in both worlds, and I appreciate that.”

Joseph went on to say that as he waits to be deployed, his plan is to use the military tuition that he is benefited with in order to continue pursuing a career in architectural engineering.

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Jason Irwin works for AMS as Chief Information Officer. He served in the US Air Force for six years, signing up at the age of 17. He entered basic training in San Antonio, TX and after basic he was sent to Aurora, CO for technical school training, later receiving his degree in Avionic Systems. Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft. His specialty was F-15 and F-111 Fighter jets. Halfway through his service he transitioned into Information Systems where he was named Communications Airmen of the Year for the 18th Fighter Wing.

Other than Texas and Colorado, Jason was stationed for two years in Hampton Roads, VA and three years in Okinawa, Japan. He was deployed to Nevada, South Korea and spent two Christmas Tours in Saudi Arabia supporting Operation Southern Watch. During his first tour in Saudi Arabia he stayed in the Khobar Towers complex, which was bombed by a terrorist five months after he had returned home. About the bombing, Jason said, “The wall I used to sleep against was destroyed. Nineteen people died in that blast. I returned for my second tour three months later after the attack. That incident has stuck with me as a reminder that some events and timing are out of your control.”

Jason went on to talk about finding employment as a veteran, and about his experience in the military service: “It was easy for me at the time. The right employers highly value the skills Military personnel have been instilled with. I exited the service in 1999 with the experience of having managed a network of over 2,000 users and 17 network admins under our group. This was during the dot com boom and when information systems were really taking off in business. I secured a contract to work for Compaq computers in the Citibank Development Center ensuring that their systems were Y2K compliant. Towards the end of 1999 I made the move into the Fulfillment industry and have been primarily focused there since.

“Joining the military was one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. I really developed into who I am in the military. Your world changes when one day you’re washing dishes and busing tables and the next day you have a pilot’s life and ultimately the safety of our nation in your hands. The military had so many lessons to offer me. My biggest takeaways were integrity and the way it opened the world up to me. Having grown up in a small town and not traveling, the exposure to different ideas and cultures fully shaped who I am. I can’t imagine my life without those six years of lessons and experiences. One of the best things I’ve done in life.”

November 2, 2017

AMS Hosts NDEAM Breakfast – Book Signing

On October 17 the SCV Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities held an “Inclusion Drives Innovation” Continental Breakfast on the AMS campus, utilizing the AMS Learning Center classroom space. The meeting, working and teaching event was organized by the SCV Mayor’s Committee Vice Chair Vivian Kimoto and Araz Valijan with the help of Margie Melendez, assistant to AMS CEO and Chair of the Committee, Ken Wiseman.

AMS Fulfillment has long been an innovative leader in the movement to employ individuals with disabilities, recognizing that indeed, inclusion does drive innovation. Several years ago AMS initiated a program with an organization that has as its mission providing employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities. AMS now employs a number of adults from the program and continues to sponsor events on behalf of the SCV Mayor’s Committee.

Ken expressed the sentiment of the AMS corporate family in hiring and working with individuals with disabilities: “Some decisions are key to good business, and others are key to the heart. Our decision to hire individuals with disabilities are both rewarding for all of us and good for the business.”

The National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) breakfast meeting was successful on many levels. Works of art by young people with disabilities from Hart School District, who entered the Mayor’s Committee art contest, were displayed and winners were chosen. The winning artwork will be featured in awards that will be given at the SCV Mayor’s Committee Business Recognition Banquet, scheduled for Feb 2018.

Speakers included Ken Wiseman, Mayor’s Committee Chair; Bob Kellar, Santa Clarita Councilman; and Vivian Kimoto of the Department of Rehabilitation and Mayor’s Committee Board member and Vice Chair.

The featured speaker at the breakfast was Tom Iland, pictured above, who introduced his and his mother Emily Iland’s newly released book “Come To Life! ~ Your Guide to Self-Discovery”. Mr. Iland gave an inspiring speech about how he came from being diagnosed at age 13 with autism and is now, at age 33, a graduate of California State University Northridge, working as a CPA and motivational speaker.

AMS joins the Mayor’s Committee, guests and other speakers in a renewed commitment to inclusion. The Breakfast turned out to be an exceptional recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It was a privilege to host the event at the AMS campus.

Reflecting on the Breakfast meeting, Ken said, “It has been hard work in years past to place many individuals, but we have seen so much progress. In our experience at AMS, individuals with disabilities are excellent employees, eager to enter the workplace and demonstrate their abilities. All of us have been touched with deep appreciation.”

November 1, 2017

AMS Conducts Bi-Annual Earthquake Drill

Recently all AMS employees across the campus of warehouses participated in the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill. As part of an extensive safety training program, covering a number of areas, AMS conducts earthquake drills twice a year.

Earthquake preparedness is an important part of staying safe in an emergency, and the ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ drill is an important part of preparedness. Experts have agreed on the best way, in most situations, to protect oneself during earthquake shaking, and these actions are reinforced by drills.

The ShakeOut instruction gives the reasoning behind Drop, Cover and Hold On: “The main point is to not try to move but instead to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!”

The information presented also includes things not to do that might tend to be instinctual, such as run outside, or actions that might be popular myths but false, such as stand in a doorway.

Earthquake safety training is part of AMS’ ongoing focus on safety, which is year-round and includes classes on appropriate safety regulations in warehouses. Within the past few months the company has conducted Hazmat training as well as OSHA-based safety training.

AMS uses the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards in conducting Hazmat training, with instruction in how to identify hazardous material and define it, respond and report. Even though it is unlikely AMS employees will encounter hazardous materials, emergency response training is conducted for the purpose of awareness.

The AMS Safety Committee has undertaken as well to train all employees on the standard of cleanliness and safety awareness that employees should have when working in the warehouse. The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards are being used as a foundation for this training.

The safety of employees is a priority at AMS. We encourage readers to visit the Great California ShakeOut website and learn what to do in the event of an earthquake!

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