CITY CLEAN AND SIMPLE CAREERS BLOG

Milestones Aren’t Just Dates on Calendars

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At CITY, milestones aren’t just dates on a calendar — they’re proof of commitment, passion, teamwork, and the kind of culture that keeps people here for years, even decades. During this year’s State of the Union, Colin Wetlaufer, President, paused to recognize something that matters deeply at CITY: the people who choose to build their careers here.

“It’s a huge testament to take this much time of your life and dedicate it to where you work and to who you work with. It is certainly not taken for granted that you spend it here,” Colin shared. His message was heartfelt — because this year, CITY celebrated some remarkable anniversaries.

Together, eight CITY team members hit milestone years — and each one represents a story worth telling.

5 Years of Service: A Remarkable Class of Teammates

Colin joked that five years ago, in 2020, must have been an incredible recruiting year because six talented employees all hit the five-year mark together:

• Luis Portillo,  Director of Operations

• Todd Conner, Route Service Representative

• Scott Linderman, Route Service Representative

• Dustin Anderson, Route Service Representative

• Nick Paulus, Route Service Representative

• Tiffany Kitchens, Stockroom Manager

These individuals now lead departments, serve customers, run routes, and help CITY operate at its best every day. And their leaders had no shortage of praise to share.

Todd Conner — Celebrated by Route Supervisor Randy Jipson

“I can’t believe it has been 5 years already. He came in and took over the route I ran, and he has done a fantastic job. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to take over Route 10!”

Todd didn’t just fill a role; he elevated it.

Dustin Anderson — Celebrated by Service Manager Tremayne Pickering

“Dustin’s daily contributions have truly made a lasting difference. Countless achievements and endless possibilities ahead, to my friend Dustin. His journey is an inspiration, and I want to congratulate him on this milestone!”

Dustin is the definition of consistency and commitment, and CITY is proud to have him on the team.

Tiffany Kitchens — Now a Key Leader in the Stockroom

Tiffany joined CITY on the production team and has worked her way into a leadership role. Her five-year journey has been marked by accuracy, efficiency, and a commitment to excellence that keeps CITY running smoothly behind the scenes.

10 Years of Service: A Decade of Dedication

Vicki Ault reached 10 years at CITY — a milestone filled with accomplishment and growth. She began her CITY career in the plant and surpassed all expectations of her plant role, which landed her a job in the CITY office, becoming an essential part of CITY’s operations.

Celebrated by Supervisor Jordan Kurth

“Vicki is an outstanding and dedicated member of our team whose contributions have been instrumental to CITY’s success. We are truly grateful for her commitment and hard work. Congratulations on your anniversary!”

A decade of service says a lot about a person and even more about the place they choose to stay.

45 Years of Service: Honoring Mark Ballo

And then there’s Mark Ballo — hitting an extraordinary 45 years at CITY. Colin laughed as he mentioned that from here on out, they may have to recognize Mark every year, because very few people in any industry commit nearly half a century to the same company.

Mark’s passion, leadership-by-example philosophy, and service-driven mindset have shaped CITY for decades. His fingerprints are everywhere — in the culture, in the service model, and in the people he’s trained and mentored.

Why These Milestones Matter at CITY

In many organizations, anniversaries are tiny moments. But at CITY, they’re a reflection of something real. CITY doesn’t just hire talent, it keeps talent, and that is the sign of a healthy, people-first organization. As Colin reminded the team: “Thank you from me personally. Thank you from all team members at CITY. Thank you from our customers.”

Join a Team Worth Staying For

If you’re looking for a workplace where commitment is celebrated, people are valued, and leaders genuinely care, CITY is hiring.

Start your next career chapter at CITY, apply now!