This month, meet Paul Sampsel. Paul has served with the Ross companies for a very long time in a variety of roles. A quiet, calculating and extremely busy man, Paul took 15 minutes out of his day to allow us the opportunity to talk. What is your official title at Ross and what does your job entail?
I am the Receiving Operations Supervisor. I support daily operations at the Container Storage Facility and Process Dock. This includes coordinating with Ross Transportation, Dispatch/Logistics, Production Planning and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to ensure we are accomplishing our objectives in a safe and compliant manner.
How long have you worked at Ross and in what capacities?
I will have worked at Ross for 31 years on March 8, 2013. I began my career working at the incinerator for 28 years. I was a Laborer and Supervisor on both days and nights, General Foreman, Incineration Operations Coordinator and would even work for maintenance during shut downs doing some welding and running the crane, which I still do today. Of course, the thing that gives me the most pride over all these years is that I have worked 31 years safely without a recordable injury.
Safety is job number one at the Ross companies! Congratulations on that monumental achievement. Working at Ross for almost 31 years, what would you say you like most about it?
The people I work with are exceptional. I have made so many wonderful friends. I enjoy watching people grow into new roles within the company, watching them further their abilities and improve themselves and the organization. I tell everybody, work hard, do a good job and stay safe and I will do everything in my power to further your career and potential here. I am filled with pride when an associate, who works hard and stays safe, is promoted within our organization.
The Ross companies are dedicated to safety as their number one priority. What does safety mean to you?
Safety means everything to me! I don't believe in asking anyone to do something I wouldn't do myself. As I said, I have worked 31 years, and counting, without a recordable accident, and it is my desire that everyone else accomplish that as well. It is very important that everyone goes home the same way they came in or better. Everyone who works for me understands this. It is a trickledown effect, when managers and supervisors show their dedication to safety, all of the associates will buy into it and stay focused on it.
What can the Ross companies and our customers expect out of Paul Sampsel this year?
I will continue to make safety my number one priority and the number one priority of those who work with me. Of course, you can also expect my continued dedication and support of the Ross companies. Ross has been great to me and has always been dedicated to all of our well-beings, therefore I will return that loyalty now and into the future in all that I do.
Any additional comments you'd like to make?
Everyone should understand that the people we have here and hire into Ross are great people, great friends to have.
Lew Eaton, Driver at Ross Transportation Services, was named the second recipient of the Phillip T. Schaefer Vision Award by the Ross companies. 
Congratulations to all RTS associates for reaching a monumental milestone as a company after logging more than two million safe driving miles! 
Here, read all about a Ross associate you may speak to, email or who helps to store, inspect, sample or treat your waste.
