NEWSLETTER
June 2024
Charitable Giving
Omega Technical Services is proud to support the Knoxville, TN chapter of Irreverent Warriors (IW). Irreverent Warriors unites the veteran community through creative engagements, events, and strong veteran-based support networks. Their mission is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. Omega donated last month in support of a “Silkies Hike” held in downtown Knoxville on May 11, 2024. We look forward to continuing to support this worthy cause and we, like IW, believe that stopping suicide is everyone’s battle.
Oak Ridge Fire Fighters Association
Omega Technical Services has a lengthy track record supporting local first responders. We have been helping the Local 1346 chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters for several years by purchasing blocks of tickets for their annual concerts. Our employees and their families enjoy various artists every year knowing that their participation raises much needed funds for our local fire fighters. These men and women do fantastic work every day and this year they started conducting our corporate Fire Awareness Training in Oak Ridge.
Community Events
Sponsoring youth scholarship funds is a powerful way to invest in the future of our community. By providing financial support for education, sponsors help talented and deserving students overcome economic barriers and pursue their academic and career aspirations. Omega recently sponsored the 29th Annual Golf Tournament held by Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Community. The contributions go directly to the students in support of their future studies and careers.
A Note from Bill Tindal
Trust – An Omega Value
Most of the time when we talk about trust, we’re thinking about the other person. Has that person earned or violated my trust. Have their actions shown me that they have integrity? Will things I share in confidence be protected? Will they take actions inthe way I expect, or will I get surprised?Most of my write ups emphasize shiftingour thoughts to the other person. Whilemaking that shift is important, trust is an area that is more about the internal decisions we choose to make. In terms of trust, we have two decisions to make; are we willing to become vulnerable by being trusting of others and are we willing to be trustworthy by always acting in the best interests of others.
Becoming vulnerable is an important part of any relationship, but it’s also informed by experience. I’m not an advocate of blind trust. As leaders, trust is essential to our teammates feeling valued. So, finding that right balance comes over time. But I firmly believe that we stand to gain more by being a little vulnerable than we lose in risking betrayed trust.
One of the most important choices we make is whether we will make decisions that are in the best interest of others and the team. Life can feel like a competition where your loss is my gain. But I’ve seen numerous instances where Omega could have taken advantage of a competitor or an employee and chose not to. My ask of each of you is to watch out for situations where you may have the upper hand. Be worthy of others’ trust by acting in shared best interests.
Employee Spotlight
This month, we turn the spotlight on Debra “Dee” Markelonis, a Senior Contracts Manager and newly appointed Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Manager at Omega Technical Services.
Dee exemplifies a rare blend of expertise and unwavering commitment to her profession and community. Her guiding light was her grandfather who taught her the important virtues of common sense, hard work, and a positive outlook.
Dee’s diverse background extends from large corporations to new startup businesses, and she shares that her seasoned intuition is what originally brought her to Omega. She was impressed with the company’s values from the very beginning of her tenure and adds that those instincts proved to be ‘spot-on’ once she got to work with the team and build strong relationships. Dee loves the camaraderie and collective ingenuity of her colleagues—from technical employees to corporate team members and esteemed clients—whom Dee cherishes most.
Dee’s experience in the nuclear field began with her academic pursuits in waste management at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. There she was trained in radiation protection and how to safely handle radioactive and nuclear materials. Originally a chemical engineer, Dee carried her methodical and analytical approach from those early days into the Contracts arena today.
In her personal life, Dee is passionate about two things – creating stained glass masterpieces and transforming thread into artwork or ‘needlework’. Both require a consistent improvement in skills and a lot of patience!
Thank you, Ms. Markelonis, for being a part of the Omega corporate family. We truly appreciate your consistent contributions, attention to detail, and dedication to excellence!
New Employee Welcome
Please join us in welcoming Andy Notbohm to the Omega Technical Services team as our Vice President of Strategic Growth. Andy has 25 years of naval and commercial power experience. While in the Navy, Andy was a weapons officer on a guided missile cruiser and an engineer on two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
After separating from the Navy, Andy spent 5 years in commercial nuclear plant operations. Since then, Andy has worked at two power utilities with roles of increasing responsibility in organizational development, operational excellence, and cultural & process transformation. In his most recent role, he led the development and execution of strategies and initiatives that incorporated culture, digitization & automation, and innovate technology into enterprise-wide transformation.
We’re happy to announce that Alex Lind joined the Omega Technical Services team on June 3rd as an Accounting Clerk. Alex was previously employed by Malibu Boats, Inc. where he worked as a Staff Accountant since 2019. Before that, he worked as an Accounting Clerk, Disbursement Clerk, and Accounts Payable Team Member with several local companies. Alex is a graduate of the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) and will fit in nicely with most of the corporate office college football fans.
Last, but not least, we’d like to welcome another new accounting team member, Ms. Donna Rittenhouse. Donna will be working as a Payroll Analyst for Omega Technical Services and comes to us with a superb background in payroll, tax processing, data entry, and client support. Donna is from the local area and is certified with the American Payroll Association (APA). We’re happy to have you on board, Donna!
Hiring an Intern offers numerous advantages to companies and organizations. Their presence allows companies to tap into emerging talent, as well as potentially identifying future employees. Internships also provide valuable learning opportunities for students, allowing them to gain real-world experiences and help develop essential skills. Graham Hucks, a rising Junior at Wofford College, joined the Omega Recruiting Team as a summer Intern in May. Ms. Hucks is pursuing a degree in Humanities, and she brings a unique and creative approach with her artistic experience and talent. Ms. Hucks hit the ground running and has already made valuable contributions with her LinkedIn media posts and helping organize Recruiting candidate and client information. Welcome, to the Omega team, Ms. Hucks!
History, Facts, and Upcoming Events
June 5
World Environment Day, est. by the United Nations in 1973
June 6
D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France, 1944
June 16
Father’s Day
June 17 – 18
Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG)
Annual Meeting, Crystal City, VA
June 19
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 25 – 26
U.S. Navy Small Business Industry Day, Virginia Beach, VA
June 28
Society of Women Engineers STEM Exploration Day, Knoxville, TN
Pet of the Month
Introducing June’s pets of the month:
Hannah Crowe & family would like you to meet “Pearl,” the Pekin duck renowned for his radiant plumage and lavish way of life. As the valiant guardian of his flock, Pearl leads others to the tastiest dandelion greens. His counterpart, “Bolt,” is the quintessential explorer. This Indian Runner duck is brimming with zest and serves as Pearl’s trusted confidant. These feathered friends are not your average mallards; they are a dynamic duo that bring joy and laughter to all who visit their garden. Life is better when shared with companions who compliment your quirks– and quacks!
Submit your pets to hr@omegatechserv.com for a chance to be selected next month and win a PetSmart gift card!