Page 128 - Rukert - 100th Anniversary

ABOVE: Warehouse Managers Chuck Ambrose and Ron Shaney with Trucking Manager Scott Damasiewicz
floor in the building was removed and replaced with 12 inches of concrete. Under Steve Landess’ supervision, the concrete was poured in sections overnight so daily operations would not be disrupted.
Rukert Terminals’ outstanding Human Resources Manager, Kristin Hennig, passed away on April 27, 2018. During her 18-tenure, Kristin helped implement and inform a change in culture as the company was transitioning from a small family business into a 21st-century organization. Kristin was instrumental in building and retaining a productive workforce, managing an enhanced benefit package, and ensuring compliance with increasingly complex laws and regulations.
Kirsten Northway was hired to fill the crucial Human Resources Manager position in June of 2018. The following year, the Rukert Terminals and Beacon Stevedoring workforce expanded to a new peak of 200 employees. This was a far cry from the Rukert brothers’ first help wanted ad seeking “one man” for general warehouse work in 1921. Rukert Terminals is proud to be a homegrown business
that has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in
wages and pumped an estimated $1.5 billion into the local economy.
After 38 years of dedicated service, Chuck Ambrose, the company’s Manager of Warehouse Administration, retired in 2019. Chuck was succeeded by Ron Shaney, who had joined Rukert Terminals in 1982, shortly after graduating from high school. Ron started in an entry-level position in the Scale House, then rose through the ranks
to become Manager of the company’s largest department of over 80 warehouse employees. Ron calls the company a “good fit” — a place where he can use his hands-on visual skills to solve different problems each day. He still enjoys adapting to the handling challenges that come with each unique cargo, noting that with “every piece we put down, we learn something new. That’s what keeps it interesting around here.” Ron’s long and successful career is a testimony to his work ethic and a powerful illustration of the company’s values of hard work, dedication and dependability.
While the Warehouse Department moves cargo within the terminal, the vital Shipping
and Receiving Office ensures that cargo comes
into and moves out of the terminal correctly.
Many employees, who have rotated through all departments, consider Shipping and Receiving
the toughest job in the company. In addition to handling paperwork, Shipping and Receiving personnel coordinate with warehouse staff, drivers and customers. At Rukert Terminals, this operation is overseen by Yvonne Ismael, who joined the company in 2005 and became a Supervisor three short years later. Yvonne and her experienced team provide exemplary customer service in a fast-
paced and high-stress environment. Management routinely receives glowing phone calls and emails from customers about their consistent service and
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