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New Hires and Promotions - March 2026

Many new team members joined us in February, and we’re excited to welcome them aboard. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the newest members of the GracoRoberts family—we’re delighted to have you with us and look forward to all that you will bring to the team.

We’re also thrilled to celebrate the many team members who are growing their careers with us through well-earned promotions. At GracoRoberts, we recognize and reward hard work, dedication, and initiative. We are committed to helping every employee learn, develop, and advance, and we look forward to continuing to build careers and celebrate your success together.

New Hires

Michael Asoian Welcomes Alfred Ziccardi, Intermix Supervisor, Wichita, KS

Alfred Ziccardi - Intermix Supervisor

 Please join me in welcoming Alfred Zicardi to GracoRoberts!

Alfred is joining us as our new Intermix Supervisor in Wichita. He brings many years of experience in paint operations, most recently from his time at Textron Aerospace. Alfred will play an integral leadership role in our Intermix operation as we continue to grow.

We’re excited to have him on board—please give Alfred a warm welcome!

Mark Tepera Welcomes Quincy Johnson, Warehouse Operations Clerk, Arlington, TX 

Quincy Johnson - Warehouse Operations Clerk

 Please join us in welcoming Quincy Johnson to GracoRoberts!

Quincy joins our team with previous experience as a Machine Operator at Dannon Yogurt, where he enjoyed the unique opportunity to work in a food production environment. He brings a strong work ethic and hands‑on operational experience that will be a great addition to our team. Outside of work, Quincy values spending time with his wife and granddaughter, enjoying their time together by going out to restaurants, watching movies, and simply relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. We are excited to have Quincy on board and look forward to his contributions. 

Mark Tepera Welcomes Kanesha Melbert, Warehouse Operations Clerk, Arlington, TX

Kanesha Melbert - Warehouse Operations Clerk

 Please join us in welcoming Kanesha to GracoRoberts!

With experience in warehouse operations, including picking and packing, and a strong background in quality control, Kanesha brings a high level of attention to detail and a commitment to excellence that will be a valuable addition to our team. She is excited to join an organization that offers opportunities for professional growth and fosters a culture where employees feel genuinely valued—something that motivates her and makes her happy to come to work each day. Outside of work, Kanesha enjoys spending quality time with her family, whether cooking together, hosting family game nights, or relaxing while watching their favorite shows. We are pleased to have Kanesha join our team and look forward to her contributions. 

Promotions/Transfers

Sherri Palm Congratulates Jana Reece on her Transfer to Accounting Clerk- Accounts Receivable, SkyGeek

Jana Reece - Procurement Analyst SkyGeek

I'm pleased to welcome Jana Reece to the Accounting Team!
 
Having worked with SkyGeek's Procurement Team since 2024, Jana has accepted a position on the Accounting Team as our Accounting Clerk-Accounts Receivable.
 
Jana will be working side-by-side with our Accounts Receivable Lead, Hayley Haroldson. Together, they will continue to strengthen our net terms customer relations, ensure streamlined care and processes of their accounts, as well as onboard new customer accounts.
 
We're happy to have Jana as a part of our team and are excited to help her grow and succeed in her new role.
 
Please join me in welcoming Jana to the team!
 

Sherri Palm Congratulates Hayley Haroldson on her Promotion to Accounts Receivable Lead, SkyGeek

Hayley Haroldson - Accounting Clerk SkyGeek-1 I'm pleased to share the promotion of Hayley Haroldson to Accounts Receivable Lead!

Since Joining SkyGeek as a Customer Care Representative in 2018, Hayley has transitioned to an Accounting Clerk on the finance team and has been an invaluable team member.
In Hayley's new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of AR, streamlining processes, strengthening our AR policies and relationships, and onboarding new terms customers, as well as managing our net terms customer accounts.
 
Please join me in congratulating Hayley on her well-deserved promotion!
 
Liz King Congratulates Maranda Barnes on her Promotion to Staff Accountant, Arlington, TX

Congratulations, Maranda!

We’re excited to announce that Maranda Barnes has been promoted to Staff Accountant. Since joining us in January 2025 as an Accounting Assistant, Maranda has made an immediate and lasting impact. She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, excellent problem‑solving skills, and a wonderfully kind and positive attitude.

This well‑deserved promotion is a testament to her meaningful contributions and continued professional growth.

Please join us in congratulating Maranda on this exciting next step!

Liz King Congratulates Kristen Rachall on her Promotion to Accounts Receivable Lead, Arlington, TX

Congratulations, Kristen!

We’re pleased to announce that Kristen Rachall has been promoted to Accounts Receivable Lead. With nearly 14 years at GracoRoberts, Kristen brings extensive knowledge of our industry, Accounts Receivable, and—quite honestly—all things GracoRoberts. She is determined, solution‑focused, and consistently goes above and beyond to support both her teammates and our customers.

We’re thrilled to see her step into this leadership role and look forward to the continued impact she’ll make. Please join us in congratulating Kristen on this well‑deserved promotion!

Chris Pixley Congratulates Caitlin Thomas on her Promotion to IT Service Desk Analyst, Wichita, KS

Caitlin Thomas - Jr IT Support Analyst

We’re excited to announce the promotion of Caitlin Thomas to IT Service Desk Analyst!

Caitlin joined GracoRoberts in 2022 and made the leap from Client Services to IT last year. Since then, she’s shown exceptional growth, expanding her technical skills at an impressive pace, while consistently delivering outstanding customer support. Her drive, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have made a clear impact across the team.

This promotion reflects her hard work and the strong foundation she’s built in her first year in IT. We’re thrilled to see her continue to shine in her new role.

Please join us in congratulating Caitlin on this wellearned achievement!

Matt Hodoba Congratulates Vincent Cacciola on his Promotion to IT Service Desk Analyst, SkyGeek

Vincent Cacciola - JR IT Service Desk Analyst

We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of Vincent Cacciola to the role of IT Service Desk Analyst! 
 
Vincent started his SkyGeek career as a Receiver in the warehouse, then applied for the open Service Desk position. It was quickly identified that Vincent’s work ethic, desire to learn, and collaboration far exceeded his initial position in the GracoRoberts IT team.  Vincent consistently leverages his warehouse experience alongside the SAP skills he is rapidly developing to drive operational efficiency and deliver valuable analytics to the SkyGeek team. We are all looking forward to watching Vincent continue to grow within our global IT organization.
 
Congratulations, Vincent!
 

Nova Zeevi Congratulates Giselle Ortiz on her Promotion to Senior Account Specialist, Carson, CA

Giselle Ortiz - Account Specialist-1

Please join me in congratulating Giselle on her well-deserved promotion to Senior Account Specialist!

Over the past year, Giselle has worked incredibly hard to reach every goal set before her, and this milestone is a direct reflection of her dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence. Her customers consistently praise her honesty, accountability, and problem‑solving mindset. My personal favorite review being: “Giselle should be a Director of Account Services!” .

With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Giselle has built deep expertise in both aerospace and product knowledge. Her greatest strength is her resourcefulness, her ability to think creatively, explore every option, and never give up on finding the right solution. She won’t say no to a customer until she has turned over every stone. Her transparency is equally admirable. Giselle owns her mistakes, learns from them, and always delivers solutions regardless of where the issue originated. Customers trust her because she shows up with integrity, and she consistently proves that she can be counted on. Giselle is also a true relationship builder. She takes pride in her work and genuinely values the connections she forms, some of which grow into friendships. Those strong bonds earn her second chances, loyalty, and long‑lasting partnerships. Both customers and teammates know they can rely on her, and she is one of the rare few who will drop everything, even her own PTO, to meet and exceed her customers’ expectations. I had the privilege of working alongside Giselle for almost nine years and it has been an absolute pleasure. I am excited for what comes next and grateful to continue this journey with her.

Congratulations on this important step in your career, Giselle. You earned every bit of it. Take a moment to celebrate—you deserve it!
 

Anne Katzenmeier Congratulates Alyssa Smallwood on her Promotion to Senior Account Specialist, Wichita, KS

Alyssa Smallwood - Account Specialist

Congratulations, Alyssa!

I’m excited to announce the promotion of Alyssa Smallwood to Senior Account Specialist. Since joining the company in 2022 as an Account Services Representative, Alyssa has made a strong impact by successfully managing a variety of accounts, including key customers such as Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.

She consistently delivers unparalleled customer service and has built strong rapport with her customers, earning their trust through her dedication and responsiveness.

Please join me in congratulating Alyssa on this well‑deserved promotion!

Derek Needham Congratulates Michelle Cortez on her Promotion to Warehouse Operations Lead, Carson, CA

Michelle Cortez - Warehouse Operations Clerk

We are excited to announce the promotion of Michelle Cortez to Carson Distribution Shipping Lead!

During her time with GracoRoberts, Michelle has consistently demonstrated dedication, versatility, and a strong commitment to operational excellence. She has successfully rotated through multiple functional areas including receiving, put away, cycle counting, picking, and quality control. Her cross-training and deep operational knowledge have made her an invaluable asset to the Carson Distribution team.

Michelle continuously goes above and beyond for both our external and internal customers. She plays a key role in troubleshooting and collaborating with Customer Service, Purchasing, Document Control, and Resin Formulators to ensure orders are processed accurately and shipped with the highest levels of quality. Her attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and commitment to teamwork embody the standards we strive for every day.

Please join us in congratulating Michelle on her well-deserved promotion and welcoming her into her new role as Shipping Lead. We look forward to her continued leadership and impact in Carson Distribution!

Robert Hart Congratulates Kayla Banda on her promotion to Account Specialist, Arlington, TX 

 Kayla Banda - ReceptionistI am pleased to announce that Kayla Banda has been promoted to Account Specialist Representative (ASR) at our Arlington, Texas location.

Kayla previously served as our Receptionist, where she consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a strong work ethic—qualities that led to this well-deserved promotion. I am incredibly proud of her growth and look forward to working more closely with her as she continues to build on her success.

Kayla is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at the University of North Texas. Outside of work, she enjoys watching television—her favorite show is Abbott Elementary—as well as cooking and trying new recipes.

Please join me in congratulating Kayla on this exciting next step in her career!

Melissa Goebel Congratulates Tasha Jackson on her promotion to Payroll & People Data Manager, Arlington, TX

 Tasha Jackson - Payroll and HRIS AdministratorPlease join me in congratulating Tasha Jackson on a well-deserved promotion to Payroll &  People Data Manager!

Tasha joined GracoRoberts in October of 2023, and since then has been managing payroll for the US. She played a key role in advancing GracoRoberts' performance management by automating processes and contributing to the creation of videos and communications for various programs. Additionally, Tasha oversaw the implementation of the time-clock system for all US locations and provided support for compensation and market data reviews.

In her new role as Payroll & People Data Manager, Tasha will continue managing US payroll while expanding her responsibility for people data integrity, reporting, compensation analysis support, and process improvements across People Services. This role reflects the growing importance of consistent, accurate, and actionable people data for our organization and recognizes Tasha's skills, ownership, and dedication.

Congratulations, Tasha!

Yulia Rozenfeld Congratulates Deon Gichoga as her promotion to Key Account & Paint Technical Specialist, Wichita, KS

Deon Gichoga - Key Account Specialist
Please join me in celebrating an exciting promotion and an important step forward in Deon’s career with GracoRoberts.
 
Let’s all congratulate her on taking on an additional role as a Paint Technical Specialist, in addition to her KAS responsibilities for Lockheed.
 

With 15 years of experience at our company, Deon brings deep product knowledge—especially in paints—along with a remarkable ability to quickly identify process gaps, streamline workflows, and coach and onboard others in an engaging and effective way. These strengths will be key to her success in this new role and will help position us to grow our paint segment while continuing to deliver outstanding customer support. Deon is an exceptionally versatile team member, which makes her especially valuable. I am confident she will thrive in this role—shining a light on areas where we can improve while also highlighting what is working well and should continue.

Over the years, Deon has consistently demonstrated a drive for excellence. She has played a major role in improving customer satisfaction and OTD levels for LM and was the driving force behind the Knowledge Center—our repository of questions, processes, best practices, and shortcuts that both ASRs and supervisors rely on daily. She has also supported the training and onboarding of many team members, always bringing clarity, patience, and enthusiasm. Deon will continue to leverage these strengths and experiences in her new role, and I am truly excited to see her make an even greater impact as she helps us achieve our goals in the paint sector.

Congratulations, Deon! This is a well-deserved step forward in your career, and we are all here to support you and our plans for continued growth in the paint segment.

Ciara Jones Congratulates Sukhvir Gakhal on his promotion to Junior Buyer, Silmid, UK 

Sukhvir GI am pleased to share that Sukhvir has been promoted to Junior Buyer within the Purchasing Team. Over the past six months, Sukhvir has consistently demonstrated strong commitment, development, and a willingness to take on increased responsibility. This promotion reflects the progress made and the positive contributions he has made to the team.

Congratulations to Sukhvir on this well-deserved achievement!

Simon Hope Congratulates Courtenay Green-Thompson on her promotion to Quality Technician, Silmid, UK 

Courtenay Since joining Silmid in February of last year on a temporary basis, Courtenay has consistently excelled in everything she has taken on, from root cause investigations and improvement projects to confidently supporting some of our more challenging customer interactions.

Courtenay has shown exceptional work ethic, strong customer focus, and a real enthusiasm for learning and driving improvement across the business. Her promotion is a well‑deserved recognition of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to doing things right the first time.

Please join us in congratulating Courtenay on her new role!